THE POST will be in the Oscar Race!

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox is a story of dedication to the truth in print from THE POST.

It is the 1970's and Kay Graham (Meryl Streep) is the woman who owns and runs The Washington Post with Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) as her editor. Knowing that there are those who don't support or trust her running of the paper, Kay takes in what is happening around her to find her voice.

When it comes to their attention that there is someone who has documents that expose the governments plans in Vietnam, The Post wants them. There is a problem, the man who photocopied the papers, Daniel Ellsberg (Matthew Rhys) has gone into hiding and slivers of the information have also been shared with The New York Times.

What is in the papers? That the United States government was not being truthful to the American public about involvement in the Vietnam War. The papers also show the level of involvement went through Robert McNamara (Bruce Greenwood) all the way up to the president.

The New York Times looks for advice about publishing the Pentagon Papers and the government wants an injunction against any further papers be published. In the meantime, reporter Ben Bagdikian (Bob Odenkirk) from the Post finds Ellsberg and is given boxes of papers and Kay must decide whether to go forward before they are also stopped by the courts.

Bradlee gathers his writers and the clock is set to beat anything or anyone that wants to get in their way. Kay begins to feel the weight of what she is up against and realizes that she knows people that are involved and now must decide what the right thing is. Pressed by the papers all-male board, she realizes that the paper her father build is now
Kay digs in deep and knows that Bradlee will follow her lead.

The truth is worth fighting for!

Streep as Kay Graham once again turns in a performance of a woman who is seen as a lovely decoration to the Post with men telling her what is important and what isn't for the paper. Of course her insecurities are clear and Streep portrays the era with perfection. Gaining strength throughout the film, I cheer the hardest when she realizes that if the board of the paper wants to play tough - then she must learn to as well. Nothing wrong with telling the good ole' boys club that it is 'her' paper and that's how she is going to run it. Streep always gives everything to these roles and makes them not only believable but exceptional.

Hanks as Ben Bradlee is perfection and yes I'm being hugely Hanks-struck. I adore this actor and find him to be the absolute best of Hollywood and that includes the much misunderstood film TURNER AND HOOCH! Of course I wondered how he was going to portray this character since I do have Jason Robards' version of Bradlee from the 1976 film ALL THE PRESIDENTS MEN stuck in my head. I had no reason to worry! THE POST is a perfect film to watch first and then take on the 1976 film because it is a history lesson about the government's shenanigans from The Washington Post's articles portrayed by two amazing actors.

Odenkirk as Bagdikian is on it to find the man with the papers. Knowing that this is the most important thing he will work toward, there is a moment where all of it might fall apart and Odenkirk keeps it straight. Rhys as Ellsberg has the worst case of paranoia I've ever seen and with good reason. He has what the government is looking for so he's not about to let go if the information isn't made public.

Greenwood as McNamara is a man trying to keep his head above water yet Greenwood makes it look smooth and controlled. That's what I love about Greenwood, whether he portrays a good, bad or indifferent character, he makes it look ridiculously smooth. The scene between Greenwood and Streep is hard to watch and strong for both of them in the scheme of the storyline.

Other cast include: Sarah Paulson as Tony Bradlee, Tracy Letts as Fritz Beebe, David Cross as Howard Simons, Zach Woods as Anthony Essaye, Bradley Whitford as Arthur Parsons, Alison Brie as Lally Graham, Carrie Coon as Meg Greenfield, and Jesse Plemons as Roger Clark.

THE POST is already high on the nominations for awards and deservedly so. This is a story that needed to be told for so many reasons especially with what is going on in government now. I am an avid watcher of films based on history and THE POST
not only falls into that category but totally served me up a history lesson.

The caliber of actors and actresses in this film make it extraordinary bringing it to a level that can't be touched. That is what makes this film for me - a cast that seems to dive right in and take no prisoners mixed in with totally absorbing the time period of the 1970's.

Watching each character take on their own beliefs about why they do what they do comes into play and it can't be hidden in the film. Spielberg takes his own risk bringing the real news story to the attention of a fake-news world. He keeps the storyline crisp and doesn't sugar coast anything about what it takes to hold the government accountable when caught lying to its own people.

What this should do for the press is remind them that people do want to know the truth about their government and that not only is that government accountable but so is the press that reports it. I can't imagine that anyone who reports the news of the world not finding an amazing place in their hearts for the papers/editors and reporters who came before.

In the end – truth be told!

MY TOP TEN FILMS OF 2017

Jeri Jacquin

The year is drawing to a quick close and so are the films that are being offered up by studios. Having spent a large amount of time in theatres in 2017 I have seen the good, bad and more ugly offering up my opinion on what is worthy of your hard earned dollars.

It has been another rough movie year to be sure with films that gave us promises and then didn’t quite deliver, quiet films that made their way into theatres and surprised us all and head scratchers that were far more confusing than they needed to be.

My top ten are from all genres with stories that made the biggest impression on me. There will be a few jaw droppers as films you might expect to see won’t be there and films you might not have heard of are worthy of a second chance look.

So here are my Top Ten of 2017!

10. STAR WARS: The Last Jedi – The wait to see where the story of Luke Skywalker is finally here. The rebellion is attempting to escape the First Order while Rey tries to enlist the help of Skywalker. My 1977 self loves the opening music and yellow scroll preparing for another epic adventure. That being said, it will be interesting to see where the story goes and I am looking forward to the Han Solo film. (PG-13 from Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Studios)

9.  THOR: Ragnarok – This was an unexpected pleasure for me this year because the tone changed to make it a really good time filled with action and laughs. Thor and Loki aren’t about to take any cosmic nonsense from Hela and it all works beautifully. (PG-13 from Marvel Entertainment and Walt Disney Pictures)

8.  LAST FLAG FLYING – Starring Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne and Bryan Cranston, the story is three men who served in Vietnam and coming to terms with where they have been and helping their friend deal with the death of his son. Have tissue for both the laughter and the tears. (Rated R from Amazon Studios)

7.  THE POST – It is the story of The Post owner Kay Graham and editor Ben Bradlee when dealing with a war cover-up and the four U.S. Presidents that kept it going. When the White House discovers missing papers, they attempt to do everything to stop the American people from reading about it in the papers. Steven Spielberg brings his spin on history in an epic way. (PG-13 from Twentieth Century Fox)

6. BABY DRIVER – Perhaps it was a frakken fantastic soundtrack that pushed this film to amazing heights and even if so I’m okay with that! This film is fast paced and filled with twists and turns and I’m not just talking about from behind the steering wheel. Ansel Elgort takes the film from beginning to end – well done young man. (Rated R from TriStar Pictures)

5.  THE HERO – Dear Sam Elliott, thank you for reminding me why you are such a treasure, not that I really needed reminding. This is the story of a man clearly stuck and when life comes seriously knocking, he must find the joy in life that he has been hiding from. Elliott brings his southern drawl, sparkling eyes and no-apology wit to this role that is absolutely stunning. (Rated R from The Orchard)

4. THE SHAPE OF WATER – Director del Torro has brought a haunting beauty to a story that has moments of brilliant silence and moments of pure love followed by seconds of insanity. All of this wrapped up in the stellar performance of Sally Hawkins and fish man Doug Jones being watched over by Richard Jenkins, Octavia Spencer and the deliciously evil Michael Shannon. (Rated R from Fox Searchlight Pictures)

3. VICTORIA & ABDUL – I am clearly a fan of period pieces but this film is just beyond amazing. Judy Dench once again portrays Queen Victoria who is clearly in her later years and can’t find anything to be excited about. When Abdul comes to court, she begins a friendship that isn’t to the courts liking or her un-princely like son. The onscreen chemistry between Dench and Ali Fazal is every bit worth each frame of film. (PG-13 from Focus Features)

2. THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI – Frances McDormand gives the performance that will stay with me playing Mildred, a mother who is coming to terms with her daughters death. When she doesn’t feel local law enforcement are doing enough, Mildred finds a way to motivate them. Also staring Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell, this is a film that screams must-see! I am cheering for McDormand come Oscar time! (Rated R from Fox Searchlight Pictures)

This is where you should be hearing a drum roll as my number one for 2017 is:

1. DUNKIRK – Christopher Nolan has brought a film that is not just a story about a moment in history but a film that is an experience. On the beaches of Dunkirk, Allied soldiers are surrounded by the Germans from land, sea and air in 1940. Nolan gives the audience the perspective from all three angles without much useless dialogue. Instead, he invites viewers into this world of war and all of the emotions that brings. There isn’t a character in this film that doesn’t bring every ounce of themselves to the story.  (PG-13 from Warner Bros.)

My yearly bonus of number 11 is ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD – Director Ridley Scott takes us to 1973 Rome as J. Paul Getty’s grandson Paul is kidnapped and held for ransom. Mother Gail must go up against kidnappers who don’t believe she isn’t rich and Getty’s refusal to pay anyone any dime of his. Mark Wahlberg is hired to help to find the boy before there is no turning back. Christopher Plummer is eerily creepy and I loved it. (Rated R from TriStar Pictures)

I also had a few guilty pleasure films this year that stand out including JOHN WICK 2 but then again anything with Keanu Reeves busting heads works. There is the very funny TABLE 19 as Anna Kendrick leads a group of wedding attendees who are stuck in the back of the room with a table of issues. KINGSMAN: The Golden Circle is a return of the well dressed agents who know you can fight evil and look good doing it. Every list should have a shark film and  47 METERS DOWN is going to be my pick that has bite, head slaps and yet I still love it. Finally, THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD – Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson…need I say more?

Are there disappointments? Absolutely and the list feels endless! KING ARTHUR: Legend of the Sword gives us a Charlie Hunnam and that’s absolutely it. ALIEN: Covenant is the next installment yet feels like bloody confusion, literally. Of course there are the ridiculous that don’t need any explanation with BAYWATCH, TRANSFORMERS: The Last Knight and VALERIAN and the City of a Thousand Planets. Idris Elba has a busy year in 2017 but THE DARK TOWER isn’t high on my list so I’ll just keep happy thoughts on his other works. Finally, JUSTICE LEAGUE – I know I’m going to get grief for it but there wasn’t anything about the film that makes me want more.

There you go, my best and worst of 2017! This has been a year of either hit or miss and not much room for anything else in between. Theatre goers aren’t being fickle in what they are looking for when they spend their hard earn bucks and they shouldn’t be.

In 2018 there are remakes, return of the wizarding world, more frights with what has become our favorite insidiousness, a group of maze runners finish off their adventures, the final chapter of those shades in the fifties, more from the comic book world, family and animated films and finally SOLO, SUPER TROOPERS 2 and DEADPOOL 2 might make it all bearable!

Thanks for being a part of our 2017 at the theatres and we look forward to joining you in the theatre seats with a bucket of popcorn in 2018! Happy holidays to you and yours and a safe Happy New Year from all of us here at Blogger and Movie Maven.