At The Movies

Jules & Golda

Although "Jules" is a sentimental movie about an alien that may remind you of "E.T.," it differs in that the human protagonists are senior citizens rather than kids. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano admire that geriatric twist to the standard storyline, and they also like Ben Kingsley's performance. Marie and Mike do voice a few quibbles about this gentle film, but, hey, they're critics. In any event, these carping commentators are much more critical of "Golda," starring Helen Mirren as Israeli leader Golda Meir. Despite a lot of prosthetic assistance, the casting does not quite work here; and what should be dramatic moments seem muted in scenes that are literally obscured by all of the cigarette smoke.

Oppenheimer & Barbie

Oppenheimer" is writer-director Christopher Nolan's ambitious biopic about atomic scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who is portrayed with suitable intensity by Cillian Murphy. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano agree that this is an impressive film tackling difficult scientific and political subject matter, although Mike has quibbles about what he considers an overly busy editing strategy. Look for "Oppenheimer" to receive multiple Academy Award nominations. Speaking of which, "Barbie" could hardly be a more different cinematic experience, but it has garnered favorable reviews along with enormous box office success. Writer and co-director Greta Gerwig oversees an entertaining comedy that has great production design, costumes, acting and cultural commentary. Marie and Mike really enjoyed it. Think pink!

Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One & Joy Ride

Tom Cruise is a 61-year-old action hero who still delivers the goods in "Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One." HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano acknowledge as much in this podcast episode, but they also wonder about the movie's 163-minute running time - and this is just Part One! Individual sequences are exciting, but maybe it's too much of a good thing. Marie and Mike also discuss "Joy Ride," a raunchy comedy about mismatched friends. Although Marie liked it more than Mike did, they both admire it as a showcase for Asian American actors whose characters have a great time on that joy ride.

Asteroid City & No Hard Feelings

Wes Anderson makes visually striking, whimsical movies with large ensemble casts, and in that respect "Asteroid City" is very much a Wes Anderson movie. HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano have a friendly jousting match in this podcast episode, because she likes Anderson's movies more than Mike does. Set in 1955, "Asteroid City" takes place in a Southwestern town in which a TV drama is being filmed. It is sort of about that TV taping, and also sort of about atomic bombs, a Hollywood bombshell played by Scarlett Johansson, outer space aliens and who knows what all else. Mike agrees that it's great eye candy but otherwise finds it hollow and lacking narrative momentum. Even though she loves Wes Anderson's movies, even Marie has some quibbles about his latest. Marie and Mike also discuss the raunchy comedy "No Hard Feelings," in which Jennifer Lawrence plays a financially struggling, working-class woman who is hired by helicopter parents to "date" their innocent 19-year-old son (Andrew Barth Feldman) before he goes off to college. This highly uneven movie glosses over the ethical considerations of its prostitution premise, but the lead actors are solid and there are a few insightful and funny scenes.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny & Past Lives

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" is the fifth and presumably final installment in an adventure series that began way back in 1981. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano talk about the history of that series and what it's like to now have Harrison Ford as an 80-year-old Indy Jones; and yes, they also talk about the computer-generated de-aging that shows him as a much younger man in the film's prologue. They agree that this movie works as a cinematic theme park ride. Marie and Mike also discuss a very different film, "Past Lives," about childhood friends in Korea who grow apart and then reunite after 24 years. Marie and Mike both really admire how well this film comments on the nature of friendship and the what-if aspects of relationships.

The Little Mermaid & Spider-Verse

Disney's 1989 animated film "The Little Mermaid" was an instant classic and so it is not surprising that the studio has now released a live-action remake of it. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano share their mixed response to it. For one thing, so much of it is computer-generated that there is more animation than genuine live action here. Also, while they like the performance by Halle Bailey as the mermaid Ariel, they have various reservations about the storyline. Marie and Mike also talk about the animated "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," about which they have, yet again, a mixed response. They like the relatable quality in the film's 15-year-old protagonist, but think the plot is overly busy.

”Fast X” and ”Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”

The "Fast and the Furious" franchise has been around for 22 years, and so you could say that the latest installment, "Fast X," is just spinning wheels. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano agree that fans of the series will enjoy yet more physics-defying car chases by Vin Diesel and company. However, Marie and Mike both think the film's constant thematic references to the importance of family are a bit much. As Mike puts it, Vin Diesel is best when he sticks to the driving. Also discussed is "Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3," which Marie enjoyed more than Mike did. They do agree, though, that the various critters are well-voiced by the likes of Bradley Cooper, Chris Pratt and, yes, Vin Diesel.

”Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” and ”The Chevalier”

The beloved writer Judy Blume's 1970 novel "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" is given a very satisfying adaptation in which the story about a girl entering her teen years is handled with comic ease. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano agree that Abby Ryder Fortson as young Margaret, Rachel McAdams as her mother and Kathy Bates as her grandmother are all delightful, and the 1970s detail really captures that era. This film is a real winner. Marie and Mike also talk about "Chevalier," in which a polymath Black composer (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) is making a name for himself in 18th century Paris. Although they admire how the film makes this real historical figure better known to modern audiences, Marie and Mike think that the film takes an overly conventional approach to what must have been an extraordinary life.

”Beau Is Afraid”/”Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant”

Sometimes a movie is just too long, and goodness knows that is the case with "Beau Is Afraid." In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano agree that they liked director Ari Aster's previous film "Midsommer," and they also like the premise in his new film about Joaquin Phoenix as an anxiety-ridden man who takes a journey from his city apartment to reconnect with his mother out in the countryside. However, "Beau Is Afraid" has a running time of 179 minutes. Although individual scenes work as surreal comedy, it's ultimately all too much. Marie and Mike also discuss "Guy Ritchie's The Covenant," in which a director known for making violent films with a comic edge turns his action-oriented skill set to the more serious purpose of a drama about the connection between a U.S. army veteran (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his Afghan interpreter (Dar Salim). The script has some overly obvious speeches, but the story itself works really well.

Reviewing ”Air” and ”Mafia Mamma”

A tennis shoe associated with NBA great Michael Jordan is the subject of "Air," which is all about the invention and marketing of that shoe in 1984. HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano trade observations about footwear as they discuss this enjoyable movie, which features Matt Damon, Ben Affleck (who also directed), Viola Davis and Chris Tucker.  Marie and Mike also talk about the Toni Collette-starring mob comedy "Mafia Mamma." Avoid this terrible movie.