Oh, Hello: On Broadway (2017)

It's not going to be everybody's cup of tea, but I love John Mulaney. John Mulaney and Nick Kroll star in this limited engagement run on Broadway as ultimate New Yorkers Gil Faizon and George St. Geegland. They have thick accents, often mispronounce words, and go off on ridiculous tangents. Basically, if you were already aware of them, you are predisposed to like it. But the comedy is very niche. It's not going to attract newcomers. There isn't too much of a story, but just enough to make it funny. They're being evicted from their rent controlled apartment on the Upper West Side. There are tons of insider New York jokes that play to their audience. And they host a show on NY1 called Too Much Tuna, featuring a different celebrity guest each night. Steve Martin was featured in that particular performance and he fit in splendidly. Final verdict: I thought it was funny, but I'm kind of weird.

Loving (2016)

Loving is a beautiful movie I missed at Cannes. It is an understated love story directed deliberately with such control. The movie is not about the case that made them famous. That is almost an afterthought in the final act of the film. It is not a legal drama. It is a movie about love and life, simply following their daily life. The audience is never allowed to forget that our heroes thrust into the spotlight are just people. They just want to go on with their lives normally. Love is love. Joel Edgerton plays his role with sensitivity. And Ruth Negga is simply radiant, acting with careful restraint. The movie doesn't build up to some grand big monologue. No, it's thoughtful, it simmers and it stays with you. It is people like this that foster change in our society, who are brave enough to quietly fight the system. The relevance of the film in today's society is not lost on Jeff Nichols.