By Robin E. Simmons
In the never-ending quest to find a good movie that’s worth the price of hiring a baby sitter, filling the gas tank and enjoying a dinner for two at one our great local eateries, it is a rare event to have to choose between two highly regarded films praised by both critics and ordinary movie lovers like you and me.
Currently, there are two terrific films that are only available on the big theatrical screen, so it requires a certain amount of courage to step out and risk health concerns just to see a movie. For many of us, enjoying movies in a theater is a unique communal event that can be healing in its own way.
Without going into a scholarly analysis, the following two films are worth the trip from home to theater. Even watching it at home on an 80 inches screen is not quite the same experience. But it will be weeks until these two films are available for the home theater.
TAR
Cate Blanchett’s spellbinding near perfect performance examines the darker, disturbing facets of fame, genius and power. This perfect match of actor and role – both being larger than life will linger in the mind long after final fade-out. This taught, brilliantly crafted masterpiece is arguably the best movie of the 21st century.
Renowned musician Lydia Tar is days away from recording a symphony that will greatly enhance her reputation and career. When the universe seems to be conspiring against her, her adopted daughter Petra becomes an integral source of emotional support for her struggling mom.
Blanchett’s name and performance will forever be linked with one of the greatest character studies of our time and perhaps the history of cinema. Playing a maestro, she proves to be one herself. But It’s hard not to wonder if an audience would be as embracing of the character if it were a man.
Todd Field’s richly relevant film works on so many levels –it is not to be missed. Don’t wait for home video, see it the way it was intended and under optimal conditions. It’s worth it. Now Playing. Standard Film Company.
BARBARIAN
Writer/director Zach Gregger’s clever, perverse, nerve-jangling, unpredictably dark, disturbing and violent thrill ride of a movie is really scary. I’ll say it again – it’s really scary and unexpectedly humorous. It’s everything you could hope for this 2022 Halloween season. And an especially good fit for bored, burnt-out horror fans. It’s a solid 100 minutes of head-snapping twists and turns.
The plot has a young woman (Georgina Campbell) traveling to Detroit for a job interview. She has booked a rental home (Airbnb) for the duration. But when she shows up, she finds a strange man already inside and booked!
Knowing better, she decides to spend the evening, but of course soon realizes there’s a hell of a lot more to fear than merely an unexpected houseguest.
The less you know the better. Oh, and brace yourself for the ending.
Now playing only in theaters, so there are risks that only add to the atmosphere of dread. 20th Century Studios.
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