Bonjour Tristesse
A remake of the 1958 Otto Preminger film which starred Jean Seberg and David Niven, based on the novel by Francoise Sagan. “Bonjour Tristesse” (translated as Hello Sadness) is the story of an ultra-wealthy family on an idyllic summer vacation in the south of France. Eighteen-year-old Cecile spends the summer with her father, whom she calls by his first name and seems closer to than a father/daughter relationship should be, and his new girlfriend.
Into this garden of Eden comes an old friend of Cecile’s deceased mother, played by Chloë Sevigny. The debut film of director Durga Chew-Bose is beautifully photographed and takes a more languid shift in tone to the original by removing Preminger’s use of flashbacks with, according to reviews, varying degrees of success. The reason to see this film seems to be Sevigny’s wonderful performance. Also starring Lily McInerny and Claes Bang.
Now Playing at the Michigan Theater.
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The Surfer
“The Surfer” stars Nicolas Cage as a character the film dubs “The Surfer,” who returns to a spectacular childhood beach in Australia with his teenage son, to buy a house. He clashes with locals on the beach that, along with the punishing heat, drive him to his breaking point.
Director Lorcan Finnegan is best known for his psychological horror films, “Vivarium” and “Nocebo.” While this is not a horror film, his past work informs this “psychological thriller,” which doesn’t really become a traditional revenge movie but one that examines a crisis of masculinity. “The Surfer” is less like “Mandy” and closer to Cage’s film “The Weather Man” in tone. For indie movie and Nicolas Cage fans. Also starring Finn Little and Julian McMahon.
Now Playing at the State Theatre.
The Shrouds
The latest film from David Cronenberg reaches back to his body-horror themes of the seventies and eighties. “The Shrouds” stars Vincent Cassel as Karash, the mysterious inventor of custom designed tombs that allow the living to view their deceased loved ones in real time.
Cassel gives a restrained performance of an archetypical character that’s become a signature in Cronenberg’s films — the dethatched, obsessed doctor. It’s a film about grief and loss with a somewhat convoluted plot. Karash is mourning the loss of his own wife, and the tombs are plundered one night, disabling the wi-fi. Karash’s sister-in-law and former brother-in-law search for answers as to who did it and why. While the film has mixed reviews, it’s an interesting premise. Recommended for fans of Cronenberg and for Vincent Cassel’s great performance. Also starring Diane Kruger and Guy Pearce.
Now Playing at the State Theatre.
Sinners
Hyped as a slam-dunk for a Best Picture Oscar nomination, Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther” film series) directs this horror film about two brothers returning to their hometown who are confronted by an evil force that’s been waiting for them. Michael B. Jordan plays twins, Smoke and Stack, in 1932, who rob Al Capone and open aa juke joint in their hometown in Mississippi. The twins are confronted by the spirits of their past and future ancestors along with — Ku Klux Klan members as vampires who sing Irish songs.
Described as a Western, period drama, musical, vampire and action movie in the tradition of “Inglourious Bastards,” the hype is huge and horror movie fans are thrilled their genre is garnering some serious respect once again. Starring Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo and Miles Caton.
Now Playing at the State Theatre.
Clown in a Cornfield
The age-old story of a girl who moves to a small town for a fresh start, and battles evil with the towns’ urban legend, the titular “Clown in a Cornfield.” Kettle Springs is a town that’s fallen on hard times after one of its factories burned down. The locals fight amongst themselves in the aftermath and a grinning, sinister clown appears to cleanse the town of its sins.
Directed by Eli Craig (“Tucker” and “Dale VS Evil”) — it’s a fun, goofy slasher, that subverts expectation with lots of Gen Z appeal! Starring Katie Douglas, Carson MacCormac and Aaron Abrams.
Opens May 9 at the State Theatre.
Clue
This year is the 40th anniversary of the beloved film based on the board game Clue. Released in 1985, “Clue” was originally supposed to be directed by John Landis, but he had to bow out to direct “Spies Like Us” starring Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd. Landis stayed on as producer and Jonathan Lynn, who would would go on to direct “My Cousin Vinny,” was hired to replace him. Featuring an all-star cast, including Tim Curry, Michael McKean, Madeline Kahn, and Christopher Lloyd, to name a few, the film wasn’t appreciated in its time but found fans and cult status through cable movie channels in the ensuing years.
This fast-paced, who-done-it combines elements of Agatha Christie, haunted house movies, and screwball comedies of the 1930s. “Clue” is much better than its critics originally thought and certainly the best movie based on a board game. Take that “Jumanji!” Also starring Martin Mull, Colleen Camp, and Lesley Ann Warren
Playing May 9 and 22 at the Michigan Theater.
