Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Writer/Director Martin McDonagh’s Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is an exciting excursion into Trump Country where tragedy is either self-created or a roll of the dice.

 

McDonagh’s excellent directing is aptly aided by an outstanding cast headed by Frances McDormand and including Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Peter Dinklage, Sandy Martin, Caleb Landry Jones, Clarke Peters, Kathryn Newton and other fine performers.  

However, it is Cinematographer Ben Davis’s images and Carter Burwell’s music track that brings this simple story of anger up to the level of being one of the finer movies of the year.

None of the characters are without blemishes.  There is no real hero.  They are what in Shakespearean terms are called lower status individuals.  Yet, they are worthy of attention.

The feel of Ebbing reminded me of a visit down South where I overheard two locals deciding what to do for the evening and opting for the local funeral party so they could look at the bodies of recent accident victims.  

I give Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri a 4.6 out of 5.

Thor: Ragnarok

It is Director Taika Waititi’s wry touch, such as he exhibited in last year’s wonderful Hunt for the Wilderpeople, that makes Thor: Ragnarok succeed over most comic book-action films.

The film stands out because of its non-action scenes, where we learn about the characters’ feelings, plus some brilliant casting with Cate Blanchett as Hela, the villainous daughter of Odin, Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster, the impresario of gladiator games, and Tessa Thompson, as the valiant Valkyrie.

The other superb ingredient is Mark Mothersbaugh’s score, which drives the action along at a forceful pace.

Oddly, the action scenes are the least aspect of the film.  Nevertheless, Thor’s fans will enjoy the ride.

I give Thor: Ragnarok a 4.1 out of 5.

A Bad Moms Christmas

Being a big fan of Co-Writers/Directors Jon Lucas’ and Scott Moore’s Bad Moms, I was really looking forward to A Bad Mom’s Christmas, starring Mila Kunis, Kriten Bell and Kathryn Hahn.

The sequel delivers great laughs in the scenes with the three together or one-on-one with their men (Jay Hernandez, Justin Hartley and Lyle Brocato) or the kids (Emjay Anthony, Oona Laurence, Cade Mansfield Cooksey, Ariana Greenblatt, Jacks Dean and Madison Muffley). 

However, the film falls apart with the major scenes with their mothers (Christine Baranski, Susan Sarandon and Cheryl Hines), all of whom show up, unexpectedly, for Christmas.

The mother/daughter relationships are too over-the-top and become too painful to watch in the midst of what is supposed to be a comedy. 

Also, there are some scenes, such as one in a church, that are forced bad taste, even for an open-minded person like me.  As little Ariana Greenblatt says, ad nauseum, “Oh, my fucking god.!”

Bottom line, the movie is a seesaw and only gets a 3.1 out of 5.