“Knives Out” is an old-fashioned who dunnit and I mean that in the best possible way. “Knives Out” is packed full of talented performances, from seasoned troupers like Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Don Johnson, Christopher Plummer and Michael Shannon. Who dunnits always include a murder, suspects and an old spooky mansion. This movie has it all and then some! The house is full of esoteric antiques, secret rooms and doors, dark corners and creaky stairs. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is a suspect. The action centers on the apparent “suicide” of patriarch millionaire Harlan Thrombey, played by Chrisopher Plummer. He is found in his study with a slit throat – which the police are considering a suicide. In walks private detective Benoit Blanc (deliciously played by Daniel Criag. He’s not just James Bond anymore!) who believes the death may have been a murder most foul. He interviews the motley collection of relatives who ALL have a motive, and one seemingly saintly care giver (played perfectly by Ana de Armas) who appears to be the only person in the house Harlan could stand. This movie is going to remind you of Clue, Murder She Wrote, KFC, Foghorn Leghorn, and Agatha Christie, but with modern touches thrown in. I couldn’t really spoil the plot if I tried because there are several reveals and all is not as it seems to be (of course). This movie is a lot of fun to watch and I imagine the actors had fun playing their parts to the hilt. I am giving this movie a golden apple because, well I throughly enjoyed it, and on this Thanksgiving Day I am thankful for movies that entertain and surprise me. What more do we need on Thanksgiving? turkey, stuffing, gravy……….
The Shape of Water
Lonely Elisa, a mute janitor, works in a high-security government lab whose purposes are some what sketchy. Sally Hawkins is so expressive as Elisa that I almost forgot that she never speaks, her acting is that good. Elisa discovers that an unusual creature has been captured and is being secretly housed, and cruelly experimented on. Because she is mute, and the creature can not speak, they communicate on a different level, and they form a bond that eventually turns into love. This heartwarming story is sort of a cross between Beauty and the Beast and X-Files. There are powerful supporting roles wonderfully accomplished by Octavia Spencer and Michael Shannon. And a final flourish – Richard Jenkins is unforgettable as Elisa’s gay neighbor who overcomes a feeling of inferiority to take up the challenge of helping Elisa rescue her “Monster.” I admit, I had a few tears at the end, but director Guillermo del Toro’s wonderful directing never makes the movie seem sentimental or fake. I highly recommend this very grown-up and compelling movie to all lovers of unusual fantasy.