The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) (2017)

There was something really unexpectedly sweet about this family dramedy. I admit that I'm not all that familiar with Noah Baumbach's work but I'm going to describe this as Woody Allen meets Hirokazu Kore-eda. It has the liberal upper-class Manhattan sensibilities of Allen, and the bittersweet family saga of Kore-eda. I used to watch Woody Allen films wondering if that's really how rich, privileged, cultured white people live. I think it's something I aspired to, but I now think that version of affluence is not necessarily attainable or maybe not even desirable--the Meyerowitz's are pretty messed up. Their family dynamic is all over the place. They talk fast over each other (a very cleverly written, difficult-to-execute script) and there is lots of yelling. But they are compelling. These were perhaps the best performances ever delivered by Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller. Comedic actors, they manage a balance between their usual shtick and family drama. It's funny, it's sweet, and emotional at the same time. 

All the President's Men (1976)

After seeing Spotlight last year, I had to watch the original journalism thriller. And I was not disappointed. Journalism is tough work. It's not glamorous. But it's important. Redford and Hoffman as Woodward and Bernstein are both excellent. The story unfolds in such a way that keeps the audience on edge throughout. The nitty gritty of the politics behind the Watergate scandal is fascinating. I also love where it ends, right at the beginning of the uncovering of the truth, not hashing it all out. I didn't realize it would end so abruptly, but it leaves a lot to typewritten postscript. It perhaps shows the scope of the investigation and the amount of effort and dedication that the Washington Post put into this investigation. Solidly acted, interesting and important.

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman both give Oscar-winning performances in this movie that relies on good actors bringing a strong screenplay to life.  On its face, the movie is about a divorce and its effect on the family, culminating in a custody battle.  At its core, the story is about the evolution of the boy's relationship with his father.  Phenomenal acting from both father and son (Justin Henry is the youngest Oscar nominee ever at age 8) show the changing dynamics of their love.  The story is very touching and raises a lot of thought provoking questions about gender roles in the 1970s.  

Chef (2014)

It's delectable. This is simply a faultless feel-good comedy.  You can't go wrong with a movie about food!  Rachel Ray is always talking about a future in which there exists the smell-evision.  This film left me also wanting taste-evision.  Not only does it look like it tastes good, but the food genuinely looks good. Points for plating.

Jon Favreau leads a star studded cast.  I particularly enjoyed the supporting cast, especially John Leguizamo. Along with the Latin jazz soundtrack and Miami setting, he adds to the fun, Latin atmosphere of the film.

This is a very modern film.  Food trucks are the latest craze and the movie also highlights the power of social media.  Because of this, the film feels fresh even though the idea is not so original (man loses job, reinvents himself).