“The Heretic”

(Psychological Thriller: 1 hour, 50 minutes)

Starring: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East

Directors: Scott Beck and Bryan Woods

Rated: R (Bloody violence)

Movie Review:

Hugh Grant is a tour de force. His performance alone is a reason to watch this psychological thriller. His well-done, uncanny performance is powerful. He is charming as his character Mr. Reed.

Mr. Reed has stressed an interest in faith, so Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton arrive at his door to discuss their faith as Christians. Mr. Reed invites the missionaries in and tells them his wife is baking a blueberry pie. He pours the young women drinks and Barnes and Paxton begin discussing their branch of Christianity as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their talk of theology quicks into something more deviously diabolical as they gradually become aware of Mr. Reed’s intentions.

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods are the directors and writers of this psychological thriller. It may be sacrilegious for some conservative people of faith to find this movie welcoming, but those who like movies that play with the mind should find this a philosophical treat.

Sophie Thatcher (Showtime’s “Yellowjackets”) and Chloe East (“The Fabelmans,” 2022) exude a certain sense of vulnerability as young religious women. They are clever but fit the roles of readymade victims.

However, the best reason to see this movie is Hugh Grant. He offers a superior portrayal of a creepy man concerned about the “one true religion” as he terms it. He plays Mr. Reed with an energetic zeal unmatched.

Grade: B (Even heretics can believe in this intelligent photoplay.)

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”

(Comedy/Drama: 1 hour, 39 minutes)

Starring: Judy Greer, Molly Belle Wright, Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez and Pete Holmes

Director: Dallas Jenkins

Rated: PG (Thematic material, violence and underage smoking)

Movie Review:

The holiday movie is officially here with “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” It is an adaptation of the book by Barbara Robinson and a remake of the 1983 television movie that starred “M*A*S*H” alum Loretta Swit. This latest version is a surprise that easily wins one over. It offers comedy and endearing characters.

The Emmanuel Annual’s Christmas pageant is without a director after an accident. Grace Bradley, played by a likable Greer, agrees to direct the pageant that is getting plenty of local attention as it is the event’s 75th  anniversary. Grace’s task should be an easy one, but that changes quickly. Enter The Herdmans, six very unruly children led by older sister Imogene (Beatrice Schneider). The Herdmans take over the leading roles to the chagrin of the church’s congregation.

The movie shines because of a good cast. Judy Greer’s performance easily obtains favorability. Directing children in a pageant or similar event is not an easy task, especially with disgruntled parents and six misbehaving kids. Greer’s portrayal of Grace’s uneasiness in her job is formidable. Greer inspires one to cheer for her cause.

The children are also enjoyable to watch. Beatrice Schneider, Molly Belle Wright, Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguezand and Lorelei Olivia Mote are engaging and provide plenty of amusing moments.

Dallas Jenkins (“The Chosen”) directs this cheerful Christmas movie. The story jumps through time haphazardly occasionally, but the movie remains enjoyable throughout its runtime. If one is searching for a good family movie this holiday season, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is a good reason to leave the house before the holiday shopping begins.

Grade: B (A good pageant.)

“Anora”

(Comedy/Drama: 2 hours, 19 minutes)

Starring: Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Vache Tovmasyan and Karren Karagulian

Director: Sean Baker

Rated: R (Strong sexual content throughout, graphic nudity, pervasive language, violence and drug use.)

Movie Review:

Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or winner “Anora” is an entertaining adult drama with plenty of comical moments to keep it fascinating. Mature audiences that appreciate movies as pure entertainment should find “Anora” a welcomed sensation.

The movie follows Anora (Madison), a sex worker who goes by Ani, and Ivan Zakharov (Eydelshteyn) whose nickname is Vanya and is the son of a Russian oligarch. They both present strong extroverted personalities while having introverted, compromised egos. The two meet at Anora’s job, a strip joint in New York City. The two begin a hypersexualized whirlwind affair that lasts roughly a week. During that time, Ivan proposes to Anora. All is well until Ivan’s parents send Ivan’s godfather Toros (Karagulian) and henchmen Igor (Borisov) and Garnick (Tovmasyan) to ascertain exactly who Ivan impulsively married.

From there, this movie becomes one of adventure and comical moments. Anora, Toros, Igor and Garnick search New York City trying to find an inebriated young Ivan whose parents Nikolai and a domineering Galina Zakharov (Aleksey Serebryakov and Darya Ekamasova, respectively) want the marriage annulled immediately.

“Anora,” among the cursing and gratuitous sex scenes, is an enjoyable movie. One truly gets to know Ani and Ivan through their sexual encounters, their drug and alcohol use, and the people they associate with daily.

Mikey Madison and Mark Eydelshteyn play these characters well. Despite their childish whims and immoral and unhealthy lifestyles, this story makes them endearing personas. It is easy to see why people want to party with them. Madison (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”) is especially keen as Anora, aka Ani.

They are joined by Karagulian, Borisov and Tovmasyan. They are a modern-day Three Stooges, providing plenty of humorous material.

These people are far from being saints, but they offer an exciting screenplay. Anora is good entertainment for mature audiences. It is funny and engaging throughout, even when moments appear forced or over-exaggerated.

Director-writer Sean Baker is a skilled moviemaker. He is responsible for “The Florida Project” (2017), “Red Rocket” (2021) and “Tangerine” (2015) that is similar to “Anora.” His movies are impressive.

“Anora” enhances his cinematic resume once more. It is splendid, energetic entertainment.

Grade: B+ (She dazzles like a shining star.)

“Weekend in Taipei”

(Action/Thriller: 1 hour, 40 minutes)

Starring: Luke Evans, Lun-Mei Gwei, Sung Kang

Director: George Huang

Rated: R (Violence and language)

Movie Review:

A “Weekend in Taipei” is a formulaic action flick directed by George Huang who cowrote this screenplay with Luc Besson. Think of this action flick as a weak “Fast and the Furious” type movie. It is good on the action while delivering thinly veiled characters and a shabby plot. If this movie is to cement Luke Evans, an otherwise capable actor, as a new action star, it fails miserably.

Evans plays DEA agent John Lawlor travels to Taipei during a weekend vacation and reconnects with an old flame, Joey Kwangwho (Gwei). She is now the wife of a notorious crime lord and billionaire shipping magnate Kwang (Kang). Joey and her son Raymond (Wyatt Yang) are soon reunited with Lawlor as they try to survive Kwang’s henchmen horde.

Action is all you get with this movie. The main characters are underdeveloped. The narrative needs help similarly. Wyatt Yang, a kid actor, offers better lines, which is not good since he is a secondary player.

The movie also tries to insert a romance substory. The chemistry between Lawlor and Joey is ineffective. This is no love on the weekend.

Grade: D+ (Reserve your weekend for something else.)

“Elevation”

(Action/Science-Fiction/Thriller: 1 hour, 31 minutes)

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Morena Baccarin and Maddie Hasson

Director: George Nolfi

Rated: R (Violence, peril/scary scenes, strong language, sexual references)

Movie Review:

Elevation is a science fiction thriller that has an asinine plot. The more the characters explain what is happening, including what the monsters are, the more irrelevant the plot becomes.

All humans now live above 8,000 feet in mostly mountainous areas. Any person below that altitude is hunted by these giant cockroach beings. Single father Will (Mackie) needs more medication for a medical condition for which his son Hunter (Danny Boyd Jr) suffers. Will decides to go below 8,000 feet.. He sets out to retrieve needed items from a nearby deserted hospital. A former Cal Tech research scientist Nina (Baccarin) and a courageous Katie (Hasson) decide to accompany him on this dangerous quest.

A trivial mix of “War of the Worlds” (2005) and “A Quiet Place” movies that started in 2018, “Elevation” is nonsensical science fiction. Such pseudo-science material robs it of being convincing.

George Nolfi and Anthony Mackie last worked together in biographical drama “The Banker” (2020) and previously in 2011’s “The Adjustment Bureau” (2011). “Elevation” is a lesser production for the two men. The sci-fi feature is something you would waste time with on the Syfy channel. But to watch that channel, you do not have to leave your home.

Grade: C- (This post-apocalyptic does not reach epic heights.)

“Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom”

(Anime/Action/Fantasy: 2 hours, 15 minutes)

Starring: Satoshi Hino, Yumi Hara, Masayuki Katô

Director: Naoyuki Itô

Rated: R (Bloody violence and language)

Movie Review:

“Overlord” is another anime movie based on a television series. Therefore, it is mainly for the fans who follow it on the tele. Like too many other anime movies, this one consists mostly of characters talking and then fighting and talking then fighting, a repetitive process.

This movie follows several characters attempting to save their kingdom by joining forces with the Sorcerer King Ains Ooal Gown. Together, the group is formidable, but their demi-human enemies are as relentless as their leader, the Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth.

“Overlord” has a complex plot and interesting multiple characters, yet they are placed in a lackluster narrative as if a lengthy nighttime soap opera. Plus, it ends with a cliffhanger. When watching anime, one wants to yell, “just shut up and fight already.”

Grade: C (Over it.)

“Small Things Like These”

(Drama: 1 hour, 38 minutes)

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Eileen Walsh and Emily Watson

Director: Tim Mielants

Rated: PG-13 (Thematic material)

Movie Review:

This historical fiction drama is a very quiet drama based on Claire Keegan’s 2021 novel. It is a visual experience. It resides on silent moments rather than the vocalizations of the cast. What is seen between the words are powerful moments to facilitate the narrative as much as words.

At the core of this movie, Cillian Murphy portrays devoted father Bill Furlong, a coal merchant in a 1985’s New Ross, Ireland. Seeing a young woman being forced into a Catholic convent because she is pregnant causes Furlong to have traumatic memories of his mother’s death. His sentiment towards a young lady he later encounters at the convent drives him to upend community norms to reveal a disturbing secret.

Historical fiction is a story that takes place with a background of particular historical events. “Small Things Like These” is comparable to “Philomena” (2013), which was based on an actual story. Both are about the Magdalene laundries of the 1800s and 1900s. Both are captivating, but “Philomena” is more emotively gratifying than “Small Things.”

Audiences may remember Murphy for his Academy Award-winning performance as the title character in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” 2023. Murphy has always been an exceptional actor no matter what role. He continues that here in in “Small Things.” Even with little words in multiple scenes, he manages to exhibit a world of emotion and angst.

Tim Mielants (“Wil,” 2023), this drama thrives on Murphy’s talents, but the screenplay is a little dull, despite some key well done aspects. Again, this is a visual movie first that rests primarily on Murphy’s usual sound performance. For those liking a slow-moving drama, “Small Things Like These” is the perfect afternoon movie.

Grade: B- (The small things add up to make something bigger, eventually.)