Hello once again, Gildshire back with you once again for movie musings. Temperatures are expected to rise again. A high-pressure ridge is building directly over your house, raising the predicted Saturday high to 236 degrees. This is not an exaggeration if you live in the Greater Phoenix Area. So, let’s beat the heat this weekend with a movie, or two, or three. For those of you new to Gildshire, don’t forget to hit the “donate” button. (What, we don’t have a donate button? What’s up with that?) We rate from one to five points. One means you couldn’t entice us to see this movie with a kiss from Jennifer Lopez (Happy birthday, J-Lo. Call me.) Five means we want to see this film opening weekend at the least and opening night, if possible. Most movies fall somewhere in between. Let’s do this!
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, rated R for language throughout, some graphic violence, drug use, and sexual references.
Quentin Tarantino, with his ninth movie, continues to stake his claim to the title, “Most Polarizing Moviemaker.” From Reservoir Dogs to Pulp Fiction to today, Tarantino built a stable of faithful fans, and just as many who see his name and walk away. This movie won’t change anyone’s mind, but luckily for Tarantino, Gildshire is in the fan clan.
Our choice to beat the heat this weekend.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood takes us back to 1969. Hollywood was very different back then but look at the pictures. So were you. It’s bloody as hell, quirky as anything you will see this year and the winner of the Gildshire Movie of the Fortnight award. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Luke Perry. Rotten Tomatoes 89, Gildshire 5.0.
Skin, rated R for disturbing violent content, pervasive language, some sexuality, and brief drug use.
What happens when you start to doubt? It is a question that comes to everyone who examines their life and life’s choices. In this movie, based on a true story, a young man deeply immersed in the skinhead culture begins to doubt. Some circles do not tolerate such a thing. It stars Jamie Bell, Danielle MacDonald, Bill Camp, and Louisa Krause. Rotten Tomatoes 91, Gildshire 4.5.
The Mountain, not rated.
Jeff Goldblum is in an apartment hunting commercial. I think that is the only thing he has ever done that isn’t either quirky or dark. He has built a successful career on the edge of normalcy. Don’t expect anything to change in this one, as Goldblum plays a psychologist with some very different techniques. It co-stars Tye Sheridan, Denis Lavant, and Udo Kier. Rotten Tomatoes 57, Gildshire 4.0.
Jirga, not rated.
What happens when you make a mistake in the heat of battle? In this film, an Australian soldier mistakes an innocent for a member of the Taliban. Wracked with guilt, he seeks to find redemption in the slain man’s culture and justice system. It stars Sam Smith (XVIII), Sher Alam Miskeen Ustad, and Amir Shah Talash. Rotten Tomatoes 80, Gildshire 4.1.
For Sama, not rated.
Told from a female perspective, this drama details life inside war-torn Syria. Sama is a baby born into the chaos that has been part of that country for so long. Her mother, trying to establish a video record in case of the worst, builds this movie in that context. It is a powerful documentary film. Rotten Tomatoes 100, Gildshire 4.2.
That is a new record! Five films, all rated at 4+ by the Gildshire panel of experts. I believe we just figured out a way to beat the heat this weekend. Enjoy the movies!
