Tropic Overview
Tropic Cinema Gives Seven Good
Reasons to Go to the Movies
Reviewed by Shirrel Rhoades
Film Critic, Key West Citizen
No
Elvis hasn’t left the building … Tom Hanks could sell sand to the Saudis … and
Melissa McCarthy is indeed the boss of you. At least that’s the logical
conclusion based on the seven films screening this week at Tropic Cinema.
Based on a true event, “Elvis & Nixon” recounts the surreal meeting
between the King of Rock ‘n Roll and the Prez. Elvis Presley (Michael Shannon)
tries to convince Richard Nixon (Kevin Spacey) to make him a federal narc.
Really. Entertainment Weekly says, “As a surreal slice of
history served up nearly half a century later, it feels oddly satisfying.” And Chicago Reader observes, “The spectacle of Presley visiting Nixon’s buttoned-down White House in his
jeweled sunglasses, silk scarf, open shirt, and giant gold belt is inherently
farcical….”
“Hologram for the King” gives us Tom Hanks as an American businessman
trying to do a deal in Saudi Arabia. Yes, it’s a comedy. Seven Days describes
it as “A nuanced geopolitical parable … repurposed into a
generic romantic comedy.” And Spliced Personality tells us, “This film isn't a
masterpiece by any means, but it is at times very good, with an unfussy jewel
of a performance by Tom Hanks that’s all the more remarkable for appearing so
effortless.”
Melissa McCarthy is “The Boss” in this comedy about a Martha
Stewart-esque businesswoman who goes to jail for insider trading, then tries to
remake her public image. About.com says, “McCarthy puts on a good
show, whether you prefer absurdly implausible slapstick or shocking insults or
awkward and comically violent gags involving female anatomy.” And Paste Magazine
concludes, “This is clearly Melissa McCarthy’s show from beginning to end…”
British artist David Hockney is profiled in “Hockney,” a documentary that
looks at his transition from pop artist to establishment darling. Edge tells us,
“The artist comes across as an affable raconteur, and
his personal input gives this film a sense of humor and irony ….” And rec.arts.movies.reviews describes
it as a “mesmerizing documentary on an artist who is both
modern and very old-fashioned in his painterly approach.”
“Green Room” is a horror flick about an evil club owner (Patrick Stewart)
who lures a punk rock band (Anton Yelchin et al.) into a trap, but they’re not
so easy to kill. Esquire calls it “95 minutes of pure,
unbridled Mosh Pit Cinema.” And Ex-Press.com explains it as “a zombie movie --
without zombies … a different brand of walking dead: neo-Nazi skinheads.”
“Papa
Hemingway in Cuba” was filmed at Finca Vigia, Ernest Hemingway’s longtime home
outside of Havana. Adrian Sparks looks just like Papa; and Joely Richardson
makes sparks as Papa’s wife. San Francisco Chronicle says, “For those with an interest in Ernest Hemingway, ‘Papa Hemingway in Cuba’ is
a remarkable treat.” And We Got This Covered calls it “a fascinating depiction
of the great American author’s later years, anchored by a strong performance
from veteran stage actor Adrian Sparks.”
“Marguerite” is the story about a rich woman who loves to sing … but out
of tune. Nonetheless, Marguerite (Catherine Frot) starts training for a recital
that’s sure to embarrass everyone within earshot. Detroit News calls it “a dark delight, a cringe comedy that skirts tragedy throughout, examining
delusion, entitlement, denial and the question of whether the truth is
essential.” And Filmink says, “This could be a weird or sad tale, but it is so
well done that, unlike Marguerite’s voice, it is more or less pitch perfect.”
Seven films -- seven good reasons to go to the movies.
srhoades@aol.com
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