Greetings again from the darkness. The opening credits provide a brief visual reminder of the Cold War, a period mostly forgotten (or never really learned) by those under age 60. Unfortunately, the intro is about as complete as a tweet would be today, so it doesn’t work as a history lesson for those who don’t already know. The same could be said for this biopic from director Sean McNamara (VINDICTA, 2023). For those wondering why so many idolize former President Ronald Reagan and cherish those years under his leadership, McNamara’s film serves up a tribute to the man who was elected as the 40th President of the United States. Think of this as an airbrushed look back, as most of the blemishes have been erased.
Screenwriter Howard Klausner (SPACE COWBOYS, 2000) adapted Paul Kengor’s 2006 book, “The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism”. Dennis Quaid stars as Reagan and expertly captures some of the familiar mannerisms of the man who had numerous nicknames throughout his life: “Dutch” (from his mom), “The Gipper” (from his movie, KNUTE ROCKNE, ALL AMERICAN), “Rawhide” (his Secret Service handle), and “The Great Communicator” (for his ability to connect with folks during speeches).
The film opens on Reagan’s 1981 speech to the AFL-CIO as he’s telling one of his patented jokes. He then proceeds out of the building where the sequence mixes in actual footage of him taking a bullet from close range … a shot that nearly took his life. The shooter (Hinkley) is not mentioned by name here. Not told in complete chronological order, McNamara does outline Reagan’s Midwest upbringing, including his stint as a lifeguard. Handsome and charming, we see how Reagan capitalized on both to become an actor, spokesperson, SAG President, and Governor of California before taking that biggest step to the White House.
Oscar winner Jon Voight plays Viktor Petrovich, a Russian KGB Agent, who provides the structure of the film by progressively debriefing rising Russian politician Andrei Novikov (Alex Sparrow) on the decades of observation and research conducted on Reagan. This runs us through Reagan’s first marriage to actress Jane Wyman (Mena Suvari) and subsequent marriage to his true love, Nancy Davis (Penelope Ann Miller). Ronnie and Nancy were devoted to each other and the movie emphasizes this, while not delving too deeply into Ms. Reagan’s propensity to get involved in many White House meetings.
The arms control negotiations between Reagan and the Russians are fairly interesting. First, it’s Leonid Brezhnev (Robert Davi) followed by a few Russian Premier deaths, until Mikhail Gorbachev (Oleg Krupa) arrives, leading to some colorful discussions culminating with Reagan’s “tear down this wall” speech. It’s through Voight’s character that we learn the Russians had their own nickname for Reagan: “The Crusader”. Many recognizable names of the era are present and played by familiar actors. These include Dan Lauria as Tip O’Neill, an unrecognizable and rarely seen these days Leslie-Anne Down as Margaret Thatcher, an unrecognizable and rarely seen these days Jennifer O’Neill as Nelle Reagan, Xander Berkeley as George Schulz, C Thomas Howell as Caspar Weinberger, and Pat Boone as Rev. George Otis (in a scene with an actor portraying singer Pat Boone).
There is no emphasis on either Bonzo the Chimp or the Iran-Contra affair, but it does touch on Reagan’s primary loss to Gerald Ford, the debates with Carter and Mondale, and we see the ever-present jellybeans. De-aging technology is used, especially obvious on Jon Voight, and the “Evil Empire” and Star Wars defense system have their moments. It’s a very favorable and complimentary look at a man who led a fascinating and interesting life before Alzheimer’s forced him to take a final horseback ride across his beloved ranch, and issue a statement to the public. While it won’t be mistaken as hard-hitting journalism, Ronald Reagan’s life is worthy of celebration and the film does just that.
Beginning November 1, 2024, it’s available Video on Demand, and on Blu-ray beginning November 19, 2024
Posted by David Ferguson 
Greetings again from the darkness. Watching ANORA and EMILIA PEREZ in the same week mere days after complaining out loud that it hasn’t been a great year for movies could inspire me to complain about everything in hopes that the rewards are similar. Since I’ve already reviewed the latter, let’s get to Sean Baker’s outlandish and innovative film. We can’t use the word ‘strange’ or ‘offbeat’ to describe this one, since Baker excels at presenting those on the fringes of society. Proof is provided via his superb previous films RED ROCKET (2021), THE FLORIDA PROJECT (2017), TANGERINE (2015), and STARLET (2012).
Greetings again from the darkness. For those who have been anxiously awaiting the first Spanish language-crime thriller-gender affirming-musical filled with violence, humor, romance, and on-the-nose songs, the talented French filmmaker Jacques Audiard has delivered. It’s also one of the year’s best films and deserved its place as France’s Oscar submission for Best International Film. Audiard based the film on the 2018 novel “Ecoute” by Boris Razon, and it’s a wild trip for viewers.
Greetings again from the darkness. It’s possible I’m in the minority on this one, but it’s inconceivable to think I’m all alone with my impression of a movie being hyped as a reunion of the FORREST GUMP director, writer, stars, and crew. I found this to be one of the most irritating and tiresome movies to watch that I’ve seen in a while. A long while. Of course, I’m sure it’s possible to create a decent movie with no plot and little story, and no character of interest … but this ain’t it.
Greetings again from the darkness. The pedigree alone makes this cult favorite one to check out now that it’s been digitally restored. Co-director Robert Frank was a renowned Swiss-American photographer and filmmaker, while co-director and screenwriter Ruby Wurlitzer was behind another popular cult flick from years earlier, TWO-LANE BLACKTOP (1971). The re-release is set to coincide with what would have been Mr. Frank’s one hundredth birthday (he passed in 2019 at age 94).
Greetings again from the darkness. It feels like it’s been a while since we had a good old fashioned serious-minded, tension-packed, “big” drama film featuring big movie stars. Well, that’s exactly what director Edward Berger, fresh off his Oscar-winning ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (2022), serves up with his latest. Writer Peter Straughan (TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, 2011) has adapted the 2016 Robert Harris novel, and the result is a welcome crowd-pleaser that may garner some Oscar consideration.
Greetings again from the darkness. As a lonely woman, being told you have the look of a model is a welcome compliment. As a runaway living on the streets, having a young man show an interest in you is a welcome development. As a single woman moving into an apartment and having a charming young man help move your furniture is a welcome occurrence. As a struggling actress, getting cast on a hit show is a welcome gig. What do all of these situations have in common? They feature vulnerable women who crossed paths with Rodney Alcala, an infamous serial rapist and murderer. This is the first feature film directed by uber-talented Anna Kendrick and it’s a doozy.
Greetings again from the darkness. The heart definitely skips a beat when the phone rings late in the night, awakening us from a deep slumber. Andy Goodrich groggily answers the call to hear his wife inform him that she’s checked herself into rehab and then ending the call with, “I’m leaving you”. It doesn’t take long for us to realize the real problem. Andy seems to be the only one unaware that his wife too frequently swallowed prescription drugs and chased them down with a bit of booze. Over the next few days, Andy is almost too late in recalling that his 9-year-old son has a peanut allergy, and discovers that his 9-year-old daughter (yep, twins) hates to be late for school and likes a glass of water on her bedstand at night.
Greetings again from the darkness. There is no reason for me to write much about this one. I’m clearly not part of the target audience, and if I had realized ahead of time that writer-director Susannah Grant was also responsible for CATCH AND RELEASE (2006), I likely would have passed on the opportunity to review. There is a market for romantic fantasy movies, however, typically at least some of the characters are likable. Regardless, my job is not to become angry at a film (even if it happens sometimes).
Greetings again from the darkness. Many questions remain unanswered, but one point is clear … Donald Trump was not ‘born’ this way. Ali Abbasi directs a script from journalist Gabriel Sherman (Vanity Fair, New York Magazine) and it’s meant to explain the foundation of the man who would become President. Two distinct parts of the film are divided into the 1970’s and then the 1980’s, and that first part is infinitely more interesting and better presented.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 