A Walk in the Woods (2015)

 

After spending two decades in England, Bill Bryson returns to the U.S., where he decides the best way to connect with his homeland is to hike the Appalachian Trail with one of his oldest friends, Stephen Katz.

Likeable, leisurely paced road movie has its amusing moments, some good landscape cinematography, and Redford and Nolte seem to be enjoying themselves, fully at ease with the characters they are playing.

 

The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) (2017)

 

An estranged family gathers together in New York City for an event celebrating the artistic work of their father. 

Excellent observant drama of a more privileged family of eccentric characters is both witty and sad - and entertaining, due to a smart script and a magnificent cast.

Burnt (2015)

A chef who destroyed his career with drugs and diva behavior cleans up and returns to London, determined to redeem himself by spearheading a top restaurant that can gain three Michelin stars.

Bradley Cooper does his best to portray a disagreeable narcissistic man-child, but the makers' celebration of unnecessary competitiveness and their misunderstanding of the culinary art doesn't help much; the impressive cast serves as mere extras to the one-man show.

The Children Act (2017)

As her marriage crumbles, a judge must decide a case involving a teenage boy who is refusing a blood transfusion on religious principle.

The judicial issue is simply the premise for the well-balanced examination of the boy's fixation on the judge, which opens even deeper issues; Emma Thompson delivers another mainificent performance.

Howards End (1992)

A businessman thwarts his wife's bequest of an estate to another woman.

A successful adaptation of E.M. Forster's novel about moral hypocrisy thanks to a wonderful cast and tasteful production.

On renewed viewing: a classic of its own kind; always worth a rewatch.

Halliwell***: "The best of the adaptations of Forster's novels, in which the nostalgia is undercut by an examination of the moral bankruptcy of the ruling class."

Maltin****: "Sumptuous, stimulating adaptation of E.M Forster's novel of class distinction...Extraordinarily good on every level."