Greetings again from the darkness. It’s easy to forget that Russell Crowe was once Oscar nominated three years in a row, winning Best Actor for Ridley Scott’s epic, GLADIATOR (2000), and has probably deserved two or three additional nominations. His reputation has not won him many industry friends over the years, but to his credit, he keeps plugging away – some minor roles in big films, and some lead roles in smaller films. Crowe can still command the screen with his presence, even when the material is slight (see THE POPE’S EXORCIST, 2023).
This project from writer-director Adam Cooper (writer, EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS, 2014) and his frequent writing partner Bill Collage has been adapted from Eugen O. Chirovici’s 2017 novel, “The Book of Mirrors”. It’s Cooper’s directorial debut, and it’s entertaining enough, especially if one can avoid comparisons to other similar crime drama films, especially the classic MEMENTO (2000). In this one, Crowe stars as Roy Freeman, a former homicide detective who lost his badge after a drunk driving accident. He has recently undergone an experimental brain procedure designed to help him regain some of the memories Alzheimer’s has robbed him of. Roy’s apartment has notes posted everywhere. These notes remind him of his name, remind him of his shoe size, and remind him that his Hungry Man dinners are hot when they come out of the microwave. Turns out, it’s too late for a note to remind him not to put the TV remote in that same mircrowave.
A ten year old case he worked is brought up by a group looking to prevent an innocent man from being executed. Roy has no memory of the case, so he re-visits the files and tracks down his old partner, Jimmy Remis (played by Tommy Flanagan, in a reunion of GLADIATOR actors). What follows is a sufficiently intricate web of characters to keep us interested and guessing. The murder victim was Professor Wieder (Marton Csokas), and the usual suspects include his PTSD-suffering handyman Wayne Devereaux (Thomas M Wright), Wieder’s research assistant and lover Laura Baines (Karen Gillan, Nebula in the Marvel Universe), Laura’s other lover Richard Finn (Harry Greenwood) who is writing a book on the murder, and a couple other characters tossed in to knock Roy and us off track.
Flanagan and Csokas are two of my favorite character actors – both always bring something interesting to their roles, and here it’s Gillan’s Laura that seems to offer the most intrigue – changing names, locales, and personalities, all while publishing a book on a theory of how ‘bad’ memories can be replaced with good ones, or erased altogether (think of another classic film, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, 2004). Roy’s flashbacks are handled by quick spurts of moments that he struggles to assemble, which allows us to struggle right alongside him. Roy’s plight leaves us with the thought that it’s possible to find yourself, and not like what you see. Memory is obviously crucial to the story, and for a second-level crime thriller, there is enough here to keep us going until the conclusion.
In theaters beginning March 22, 2024
Posted by David Ferguson 
Greetings again from the darkness. Owning a home remains the American Dream, and being unrealistic about the topic makes one an American Dreamer. The first few scenes of the film make it obvious that American Dreamer is not just the title of Dr. Phil Loder’s in-progress novel, but also a term that describes him. This is Paul Dektor’s directorial debut, and the script is co-written by Theodore Melfi (HIDDEN FIGURES 2016, ST VINCENT 2014) and Christopher Wehner. It’s loosely based on a true story.
Greetings again from the darkness. Life in west Texas can be harsh. There is nothing romantic or picturesque about the land … unless you are one of the lucky land/lease owners who have become rich by striking oil. Complementing his long career in the art departments of some massive blockbusters, Mark Lambert Bristol directs his second feature film from a script Julie B Denny, adapted from the 1999 novel “Chocolate Lizards” by Cole Thompson.
Greetings again from the darkness. The extreme political divisions that exist in the United States today are well-documented and often discussed. The first feature from writer-director Henry Nelson eschews politics and instead looks at class differences – and even deeper into the role of human connections and family bonds. As a new filmmaker, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have an incredible actor as your dad, especially one willing to dive headfirst into the lead role of your gritty and intimate drama.
Greetings again from the darkness. Ed Schmitt has lost his faith. His wife dies, leaving him with two young daughters … the youngest of which, due to Biliary Artesia, needs a liver transplant to avoid her mother’s tragic fate. These circumstances have straddled Ed with $400,000 in medical bills, and the possibility of losing his precious daughter before a donor can be found. Directed by Jon Gunn (MY DATE WITH DREW documentary, 2004), the film is based on a true story with a screenplay by Kelly Fremong Craig (THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN 2016; ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET 2023) and actress Meg Tilly (her first screenplay).
Greetings again from the darkness. Regardless of how attractive the real estate prices seem, it’s usually best to avoid small rural towns controlled by a violent crime boss nicknamed Big Cat. Especially when she doesn’t hesitate to make an example of those who cross her, and she ‘owns’ the local Sheriff and runs drugs throughout the area. Even those who break away from her organization are likely to get dragged back in, ‘do this or else’ style, if Big Cat wants them back. It’s a self-perpetuating cesspool of control and being controlled.
Greetings again from the darkness. There is no shortage of movies depicting the challenges associated with being a parent, although there is an added element of interest when a real-life father and daughter are cast in the lead roles (remember PAPER MOON with Ryan and Tatum O’Neal?). Such is the case with this first feature film from director Emma Westenberg, co-written by Vera Bulder, Ruby Caster, and Elle Malan. Ewan McGregor and his daughter Clara McGregor co-star in a dramatic father-daughter road movie filled with awkward moments.
Greetings again from the darkness. I do not cook and have never had an interest in learning to. Still, I do understand how some are drawn to it as an art form … creating new dishes and new flavors, while generating such pleasurable sensations across the palettes of others. It’s a passion like many professions (or hobbies), and it’s one that is best shared with others.
Greetings again from the darkness. Robin Williams. Richard Pryor. Jim Carrey. Michael Keaton. Whoopi Goldberg. That’s just a few of the stand-up comedians who successfully transitioned to acting in movies. While it seems like a natural next step, there have been even more for whom the transition simply didn’t work, although a TV series seems to be a worthwhile fallback for most. Matt Rife becomes the latest to take the leap from late night comedy club gigs to the silver screen. As an internet sensation, Mr. Rife has a built-in following, despite the recent backlash over his poor choice of jokes.
Greetings again from the darkness. For most folks, life is a constant battle each and every day as we attempt to avoid the chaos stemming from work, health, friends, family, and overall stress. Sometimes we kid ourselves into thinking we have things under control, but inevitably, a sharp reminder pops up letting us know “control” is a mirage, and life is meant to be more rollercoaster than smooth sailing. Longtime (and always interesting) writer-director Wim Wenders and co-writer Takuma Takasaki have teamed up for this Oscar nominated film (Best International Feature) depicting one man’s attempt to control his life.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 