Bosch (Serial)

Season 4

Titus Welliver continues to strike exactly the right tone as Harry Bosch, gritty LA detective who closes cases. This season a high profile attorney is murdered right before going to trial in a case of police brutality. The city is on the edge of violence and Bosch is asked to lead the task force to solve the case. They find their guy, then don't, then do... Bosch just needs to make sure it is right. Interwoven with this primary story is the ongoing personal story of each officer (Bosch-Daughter-Ex, J.Edger-Ex, Bosch-Mother, Billet's-career, etc.). Really well done modern noir, and probably the best title sequence around right now. If you haven't watched these, you should.

5 stars (out of 5)

Gifted

The story of a father trying to protect his daughter. But in this case, the father is the Uncle, and the niece is a mathematical prodigy whose mother was also brilliant, but mentally tortured woman. So how to let the girl have a "normal childhood". Enter the grandmother (who wants the mathematical notoriety), and the neighbor (who acts as a surrogate mother), and the school teacher (who does everything right for the girl and the uncle). Intentionally designed to pull your heartstrings and make you laugh along the way. Plain, old fashioned, feel good movie.

3 stars (out of 5)

Beirut

Engaging, riveting, eye-opening, dramatic political thriller. The story of Beirut in the 80's when it was the proxy war playground of choice for Russia, Iran, PLO, Israel, and the U.S. Probably this is a good film regardless of your political leanings since it allows you to see whatever politics you bring, and allows you to reinforce your belief system. The story follows Jon Hamm, who is a former political operator in Lebanon. He is called back into the country to help negotiate the release of a prisoner, the current CIA chief of station for the entire mid-east... and his former closest friend... and a guy somehow responsible for his wife's death. With my political leanings, I saw the massive arrogance of the political powers (the U.S. in CIA and Defense Intelligence), the unintended consequences of violence as a solution to violence, the feigned naive surprise of said consequences manifesting, the subterfuge and self-centered nature of clandestine operators, the complete lack of value for human life, the inability (and unwillingness) to accept responsibility for pervasive violence, the nonchalant attitude toward human suffering of others, etc. etc. etc. I suppose you can watch it as a fictional drama, but I believe the sentiment and moral posturing are more the reality.

4 stars (out of 5)

A Bad Idea Gone Wrong

Definitely an independent, low budget film. Deep in the mumblecore style, two friends follow through on their plan to burgle a house and accidentally get locked inside when the alarm system is armed (by one of them, of course). And then they stumble on a girl who is also in the house when it is supposed to be empty. Oh, the drama, the angst. The one guy has the most Ed Norton voice of anyone other than Ed Norton, and he uses it to explain and talk about everything he does. I suppose I would put this in the pretentious category... we are low budget, independent and quirky... and we know it...
2 stars (out of 5)

Win by Fall

German documentary following 4 girls who are part of the German national wrestling program. They are at a boarding school with the sole purpose of training for the national tournament. There is not a lot of depth here, but it is fascinating to watch the interactions of girls at the age of 12 and 13 as they immerse themselves in a sport where body focus is so dominant. And watching the interactions between the girls and the coaches as each has their own level of communication, self confidence, competitive drive, self pressure and the coaches need to adjust their style to each kid.
3 stars (out of 5)

Roxanne Roxanne

The historical fiction account of Roxanne Shante, one of the first hip-hop female rappers from NY in the 1980's. She was only 14 yrs old coming up, and being both adult performer and kid figuring out a new genre was difficult to say the least. This film version is interesting, and informative, but not super engaging. I was hoping for something more like 8-mile with more music and battle, less biopic.
2 stars (out of 5)