Quick Review: Knives Out and A Beautiful Day

A Double Feature Review!

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Knives Out

Knives Out is an exciting murder-mystery blended with a contemporary theme. Writer-director Rian Johnson's (Looper and The Last Jedi) stellar ensemble consists of Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Lakeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, and Christopher Plummer. This whodunit thriller delivers a handful of stabs filled with cheerful cynicism. It’s blockbuster entertainment that’s smart, witty, and stylish. Plus, Daniel Craig shows off his Southern accent. Nominated for 3 Golden Globes, including Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy (Ana de Armas) and Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy (Daniel Craig).

Johnson pays tribute to author and mystery mastermind Agatha Christie, with a modern-day murder-mystery where everyone is a suspect until Craig can figure out the whole 'doughnut' surrounding this puzzle. Craig's acting is sleek and funny, while de Armas breaks through new ground with her attention to detail. Her performance is a revelation as she continues to add layers to her roles (Knives Out and Blade Runner: 2049). The rest of the cracks are filled in with terrific acting from Evans, Curtis, Shannon, Johnson, Collette, Stanfield, Langford, Martell, and Plummer. In the end, Knives Out is a grand murder-mystery you won't want to miss. P.S. Chris Evans kills it in his white sweater.

Knives Out is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned). For thematic elements including brief violence, some strong language, sexual references, and drug material.

Directed by Rian Johnson, AKA the mastermind who upset insecure Star Wars fans.

Starring Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Lakeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, Christopher Plummer, and a lot of references about doughnuts.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a good and wholesome movie. Tom Hanks transforms into the role of Mr. Fred Rogers. Hanks’ Oscar-worthy incarnation comes full circle as he shows us how kindness prevails. It’s the movie to watch this holiday season. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood shares a powerful message about acceptance and understanding. Nominated for one Golden Globe, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Hanks), A Beautiful Day captures Mr. Rogers' love for humans and shares his gift of kindness with you on the big screen.

Director Marielle Heller (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) succeeds in sharing a timely story of goodness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod (Matthew Rhys). In the film, Rhys' character is changed to a fictional journalist named Lloyd Vogel. Vogel's incarnation is based loosely on journalist Tom Junod. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood was chosen by Time magazine as one of the ten best films of the year. For his performance, Hanks was nominated for a Golden Globe, Critics' Choice, Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG Awards), and BAFTA Award (British Academy of Film and Television Arts). All-in-all, A Beautiful Day is a charming movie about an extraordinary man. "Knowing that we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people." — Mr. Rogers.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is rated PG (Parental Guidance). For some strong thematic material, a brief fight, and some mild language.

Directed by Marielle Heller

Starring Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Susan Kelechi Watson, and Chris Cooper.