A Tasty YOU, ME & TUSCANY

You, Me & Tuscany comes across as a solid, romantic comedy that hits all the right notes, and that’s fine for fans of this genre which promises love, drama, and humor in equal doses in a picturesque setting.

Anna (Halle Bailey) who once had dreams of being a culinary chef with her mother, is now a house sitter in New York with an uncertain future until a chance meeting with an Italian traveler, Matteo (Lorenzo de Moor), who beckons her to visit him in Tuscany. Throwing caution to the wind, Anna flies to Tuscany and quickly realizes she has gotten herself accidentally drawn into an unlikely scenario with Matteo’s family. Further, she meets his cousin, Michael (Regé-Jean Page), and life becomes increasingly complicated.   

The chemistry between Bailey and Page is palpable, and there is good support from the rest of the cast. (One wonders if there was a bigger star or two playing the leads, how this film could have shined even more.) While there is a standard plot (fish out of water and mistaken identity) with predictable twists and turns, the cast sells it amid the gorgeous scenery and lush musical score. Moments in the film bring to mind Bridget Jones’ Diary.  There is nothing here that you won’t find in a top notch Hallmark movie, which belies the background of its director, Kat Coiro, whose extensive TV and indie background are evident.

With its breezy tone and goodhearted nature, audiences looking for nothing particularly challenging but rather a ‘feel good’ movie should be pleased with this totally inoffensive, entertaining story.  Like good food and fine wine, it tastes delicious during the meal, but afterward, it doesn’t necessarily linger.

***1/2 of **** stars (add ½* for Rom-Com fans)

 

PROJECT HAIL MARY Aims for the Stars

 

Adapted from the novel by Andy Weir (The Martian), Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) direct Project Hail Mary, a sci-fi tale that should delight most audiences who want a unique, satisfying experience.

In the not too distant future, Earth’s sun and other stars are dying, and a desperate, impossible space mission is launched with a teacher/scientist, Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), entrusted to save the world by traveling light years to a specific star to find a solution. When he awakens alone from hibernation, he encounters a strange spaceship with a crusty alien lifeform he dubs Rocky, who may be searching for the same answers. Can the two of them find a way to communicate and work together to save the universe?

Most closely in its setup to Interstellar, this film also shares similarities with The Martian, Arrival, E.T., and even Close Encounters of the Third Kind.  Alternating with flashbacks on how the mission began, it’s a touching story about bonding and sacrifice filled with humorous and poignant moments that focus on Grace and his relationship with Rocky.  Gosling puts on a heartfelt, one-man show (with good support from Sandra Hüller) as the reluctant astronaut plagued with self-doubt who finds within himself something extraordinary and an unlikely companion.

Best seen on the biggest screen (IMAX), the film’s audio-visual achievements are impressive especially in the imaginative set designs, its practical, puppetry effects, and an ethereal soundtrack. It’s a film with lofty aspirations that’s a tad long with some confusing technical jargon, but for those willing to come for the ride, they will be rewarded with a fascinating, thoughtful adventure filled with pathos and hope. It is certainly one of the best films of 2026.

****1/2 of ***** stars (a must for Gosling fans)

A True Texan

World martial arts master and actor Chuck Norris has passed at 86. He met and was influenced by stars like Steve McQueen to get into acting which included a relationship with the legendary Bruce Lee culminating in The Way of the Dragon showcasing a climactic martial arts battle. He did many other action films starting with independent productions like Good Guys Wear Black, The Octogon, and An Eye for an Eye before doing major studio hits like Code of Silence, Missing in Action, and Delta Force. He achieved lasting fame in the popular TV show Walker, Texas Ranger which ran for nine seasons.

98th Oscar Telecast

 

The Oscars are done, and most predictions were right on. The Documentary Feature went to Mr. Nobody Against Putin which was a pleasant surprise. Technical categories went as expected with Frankenstein getting several.  Amy Madigan and Sean Penn took Supporting Acting Awards while most awards were split between a few films.

Sinners took several awards including Best Original Screenplay for Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor. Jesse Buckley took home Best Actress as expected. Paul Thomas Anderson took Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture for his One Battle After Another. Conan O'Brien was a serviceable host with hit and miss jokes and a typical, show opening by inserting himself in film scenes. The Memoriam segment took poignancy as Billy Crystal (honoring Rob Reiner), Rachel McAdams (Diane Keaton), and Barbra Streisand (Robert Redford) took turns honoring the passing of screen legends. The show had good pacing and did not go grossly over. Its 7pm start also helped. Now we start over for next year's crop of films.

2026 Oscar Predictions for 2025 Films

Another year of films and while most Oscar races are fairly easy to predict, a couple major categories like Best Actor and even Best Picture may shift per recent momentum swing from Sinners. Again, I have seen all the Best Picture nominees and several other titles, so these are my best guesses. There are almost always big surprises, and this year should be no different. Sinners could walk away with many awards although recent years have awards split among films. The Academy Awards are given March 15 so enjoy!

 

Picture- One Battle After Another with possible Sinners upset with preferential balloting.

Director- Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle after Another

Actress- Jesse Buckley for Hamnet

Actor- If Timothée Chalamet is ever going to win one, it should be for Marty Supreme but it was his to lose while Michael B. Jordan has incredible momentum for Sinners, so…..

Supporting Actress- Strong momentum and sentiment for Amy Madigan in Weapons but I loved Wunmi Mosaku in Sinners

Supporting Actor- Has it been 17 years since Milk? Sean Penn in what is a leading role in One Battle After Another, is steam rolling though Stellan Skarsgård is really a leading role in Sentimental Value.

Casting-Sinners

Adapted Screenplay- Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another

Original Screenplay- Ryan Coogler for Sinners

Cinematography- Sinners

Costume Design- Frankenstein

Film Editing- One Battle After Another

Makeup and Hairstyling- Frankenstein

Production Design- Frankenstein

Score- Sinners

Song- ‘Golden’ from KPop Demon Hunters

Sound- F1

Visual Effects- Avatar: Fire and Ash

Animated Feature- KPop Demon Hunters

Documentary Feature- The Perfect Neighbor

International Film- Sentimental Value

Animated Short- Butterfly

Documentary Short- All the Empty Rooms

Live Action Short- Two People Exchanging Saliva but possibly A Friend of Dorothy

Good and Evil in K-POP DEMON HUNTERS

Co-writer/co-director Maggie Kang whose experience as story artist in various animated productions (Kung Fu Panda 3) has led to this original film, K-Pop Demon Hunters, a universally entertaining, animated adventure musical that honors her Korean heritage. 

Girl group Huntrix (with members Rumi, Mira ad Zoey) is wildly popular with legions of fans worldwide. A closely guarded secret is that they are warriors or demon hunters against the evil Gwi-Ma whose demons suck the souls from living humans. In order to prevent this, Huntrix has maintained a protective shield called Honmoon, a task that previous groups have guarded over time. Attempting to achieve Gold Honmoon will ensure the permanent blockage of Gwi-Ma, but before they can do this, a mysterious boy band, Saja Boys appears and takes audiences by storm threatening to supplant the girls. Further, the Saja Boys are really demons sent by Gwi-Ma to undermine Huntrix. Unbeknownst to all, Rumi discovers she is part demon and must hide her secret from fans and her friends even as she loses her voice on the eve of a major performance.  When the lead singer of Saja Boys reveals himself as Jinu, there is a bond that forms between him and Rumi. Can Rumi overcome her affliction, and can she and Huntrix save humanity?

Filled with catchy pop songs, this film propels at a fast pace from start to finish in barely over 90 minutes. It will appeal to young viewers and charm adults. The only thing it lacks is great depth except when Rumi must overcome personal hardship and accept who and what she is. For an original feature length production, this is indeed quite an accomplishment and signals the possibility of more original stories and likely sequels to come.

**** of *****stars   Netflix

 

A Convoluted Life in THE SECRET AGENT

Written and directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, The Secret Agent, a tense drama, covers a pivotal time in Brazilian politics and features a strong performance by its lead, Wagner Moura. 

It’s 1977 somewhere in Brazil, the government is authoritarian and a mysterious man named Armando (Moura) arrives and assumes the identity of Marcello. He comes to see his young son, Fernando and settles with friendly townspeople in a seemingly idyllic life. Armando, whose background is slowly revealed, is widowed and assigned to the identity card office, when there is news of a human leg found in a shark which shocks the community. Things get more complicated and dangerous with a corrupt police force and two assassins on his trail as he has a price on his head.  Years later, a female journalist reviews his life and interviews a grown Fernando, now a doctor, about his father.   

The movie title might be a bit misleading in that the film has nothing to do with espionage and spies but functions as a political thriller.  Divided into several chapters, it has an almost raw documentary feel in the way it is shot not unlike a film from the 1970s. In addition to signs of an oppressive regime, there is an immediacy that lends a stark reality to every scene (similar to City of God). It also has a slow build up and may appear to be somewhat confusing in its narrative structure with its edits that flash forward and back in the timeline.

This Brazilian film is heavy on atmosphere and authenticity with Moura registering as a man trying to escape his past and rekindle the relationship with his son.  Expect bigger things in the future from both he and Filho. 

**** of ***** stars   Amazon Prime

 

Tortured Soul in BLUE MOON

A snapshot of a song writer is the basis for Blue Moon, a character study brought to life with an impeccable performance by Ethan Hawke. 

The life of lyricist Lorenz Hart is examined one evening in 1943 during an opening night performance of Oklahoma! which is the first musical of his musical partner Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott) and Oscar Hammerstein. An alcoholic, Hart yearns to continue his partnership with Rodgers which produced some of the greatest songs of the twentieth century +also flirts with his protégé, Elizabeth (Margaret Qualley), and commiserates with bartender Eddie (Bobby Cannivale).  As the show ends and the flowing reviews emerge, Hart must face a world at war whose musical tastes are changing. 

Robert Kaplow’s witty screenplay captures a bittersweet moment in Hart’s life, a turning point where his career is in decline and his health sabotaged by his own vices. He is portrayed as a man with a huge ego who could be carefree and at times reckless whose yearnings and self-destructive behavior are at odds. With a strong supporting cast, there are amusing ‘Easter eggs’ with author E. B. White and a boy named Steve who can only be Stephen Sondheim!

The film does feel restricted in its limited setting mostly at a bar and relying on Hawke who features in every scene, but he carries the film admirably. Seemingly adapted from a play, conceivably, it could easily transition to the stage. This marks the ninth collaboration between Hawke and director Richard Linklater (Boyhood, Before Sunrise), and it shows no sign of slowing down.  Like Rodgers and Hart, they make great music together.

****1/2 of ***** stars   Netflix

 

An Actor's Actor

Actor Robert Duvall has passed at 95. This veteran of stage, screen, and TV for seven decades achieved status as an actor's actor. He guest starred in numerous TV shows including The Outer Limits, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and the classic miniseries, Lonesome Dove. Nominated five times for Emmy Awards, he won twice. Yet it is his career as a screen actor that he is most known starting with his turn as Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird, Frank Burns in M*A*S*H, Tom Hagen in The  Godfather and The Godfather Part II, and Col. Kilgore in Apocalypse Now. He starred in other major films like Network, The Seven Percent Solution, The Great Santini, The Natural, Open Range, and Tender Mercies for which he won an Oscar as Best Actor. He had been recognized for six other Academy Award nominations. This producer/director/writer had a career linking past and present Hollywood that encompassed George Lucas' first film THX 1138 through Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation to Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher.

 

The Best Pure Passer

Former quarterback Sonny Jurgensen has passed at 91. In his prime, he was part of the Washington Redskins resurgence in the 1970s with Vince Lombardi and especially George Allen.  The year the Redskins played in their first Super Bowl, he previously tore his achilles tendon and did not play. Could he have made a difference in the Super Bowl against the undefeated Dolphins in 1973? Maybe not, but in my heart, how could he not?! I remember the rematch with Miami the following year in the regular season when he rallied the team to beat them 20-17. I'll never forget the thrill! 

In his later, playing years he called most of his own plays almost as if it were a sandlot game. He was old school and perhaps the best pure passer of all time. He played 18 NFL seasons with Philadelphia and then The Redskins and was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983 after setting many passing records and making five Pro Bowls setting the alltime passer rating in the Dead Ball era. 

He went on to become a beloved sports reporter and commentator at WRC TV and had a knack for prescient analysis during Redskin games at WMAL radio as part of a glorious broadcasting team with Sam Huff and Frank Herzog.  I went to my first Redskin game in the middle 1980s and the Redskins beat The Forty Niners. Sonny noted the crowd was subdued and asked on air if anyone was awake? I was listening on a small radio in the stadium and waved my arms, and Sonny responded "There is one!" Now it could have been anyone in that sold out stadium, but I'd like to think he saw me.

What memories. What a quarterback. Thank you Sonny.