Films: August 26 - September 1

Boyhood (2014)

Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020) 

Celeste And Jesse Forever (2012)

La Vie d'Adèle (2013) 

Take Me Out To The Ball Game (1949) 

Million Dollar Mermaid (1952) 

The Magic Of Ordinary Days (2005) 

Innocent (2011) ///

Boyhood (2014) Beyond the process of creating narrative film over a 12 year period, a finely etched portrait of growing up and fragmented lives, built around a series of moments that create an immersive reflection of family. The open, natural style allows performances to shine.

Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020) Wistful teen Sidney Flanigan is accompanied by tenacious cousin Talia Ryder to New York to find an abortion. Alternately quiet and deliberate, scorching and impassioned, a story of silences and looks, captivatingly framed and movingly told.

Celeste And Jesse Forever (2012) Ambitious Rashida Jones and undemanding Andy Samberg are drifting out of marriage, even as they cling to being friends. The appealing central couple and assorted friends are well drawn, styling a winning blend that successfully earns laughs and emotion.

La Vie d'Adèle (2013) Intimate, exhausting epic of youthful passion and vast amounts of food. Vulnerable Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux share an explicit, searing relationship that captures the rush of desire and crush of broken emotions. Soulful and enveloping performances.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game (1949) Colorful and energetic, if somewhat uneven in mood and storytelling as no-nonsense Esther Williams inherits the Wolves baseball team and needs to whip Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munchin into shape. Frothy song and dance remains enduring.

Million Dollar Mermaid (1952) Gorgeous Technicolor design and lush production values highlight the winning presence of a determined Esther Williams in her signature role as real life swimmer / swimwear pioneer / movie star Annette Kellerman. Wildly uneven, always watchable.

The Magic Of Ordinary Days (2005) Though narrative schematics are entirely predictable, finesse of production and aching emotion of cast is a potent combination. During World War II, shamed, expectant mother Keri Russell is ostracized to marry principled farmer Skeet Ulrich. Observant and textured.

Innocent (2011) A fine cast keeps legal wheels involving even if the sequel story feels underwhelming and dramatic undertow less gripping. Bill Pullman is the judge accused by nemesis Richard Schiff of murdering unstable wife Marcia Gay Harden. The past reverberates darkly.