Movie review: Just Mercy

Just Mercy — Running Time: 2:16 — PG-13 “Just Mercy” is the one to see this week. This true story stuns on many levels as it delivers the tale of a young black lawyer who becomes deeply involved in helping a black man unjustly accused of murder. At 18, Rhonda Morrison has been shot while walking. She was white. Police listen to a white prisoner who accuses a black man of the murder. The immediate and total acceptance of the accusation is what stuns us. A white participant is believed. A black suspect is cal … (read more)

1917 — Running Time: 1:59 — Rating: R “1917” is a quality movie that led me to some dark thoughts. If the story doesn’t trigger lasting thoughts for you about men and war, then fine, just enjoy this good movie. The quality came from director Sam Mendes an … (read more)

This was a year of creeping apprehension for movie lovers. Theaters were often lucky to have 10 people in the audience. Theaters are closing while Netflix releases new movies to people watching in their living rooms. The feel of change is overwhelming. Le … (read more)

Uncut Gems — Running Time: 2:15 — Rating: R It is my great pleasure today to write a review of the worst movie I have ever seen. This will be a special challenge because the actors, the directing, and even the premise are all good. Here’s the problem. For … (read more)

Little Women — Running Time: 2:14 — Rating: PG If you are thinking of skipping “Little Women,” think again. It has been read in Louisa May Alcott’s book and seen in movies by all ages ever since it was published in 1868. Now, as a gift to all of us, Greta … (read more)

Bombshell — Running Time: 1:48 — Rating: R In an attempt to take a fair look at corporate sexuality, “Bombshell” offers a depressing look at office politics leading to the current surge of revelations about the corporate promotion system. These politics c … (read more)

Richard Jewell — Running Time: 2:26 — Rating: R Think 1996. The explosion at the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta has killed innocents. The press has made Richard Jewell a hero throughout the country. Suddenly, the press labels Jewell the bomber and we … (read more)

What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael — Running Time: 1:38 The new documentary about film critic Pauline Kael is a pile of contradictions that paint an intriguing portrait of the world’s most famous movie critic. “What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael” … (read more)

Ford v Ferrari — Running Time: 2:32 — Rating: PG-13 If you avoided seeing “Ford v Ferrari” because you aren’t interested in car racing, you might just reconsider. Why did I avoid it? Car racing and all-male casts have never drawn my interest. How could an … (read more)

Knives Out — Running Time: 2:11 — Rating: PG-13 See “Knives Out” when you’re in that blissful movie mood of wanting to sit in the dark waiting to be transported to a different time and place. Actors, writers, and director Rian Johnson all moved together o … (read more)

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood — Running Time: 1:48 — Rating: PG If you are one of millions who plan to see “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” you may be in for a surprise. Isn’t this the story of Fred Rogers’ TV relationship with the children wh … (read more)

Scandalous — Running Time: 1:37 — Rating: R Consider the studio’s promotion sentence about “Scandalous: The True Story of the National Enquirer:” “Scandalous is the true story of the National Enquirer, the infamous tabloid with a prescient grasp of its re … (read more)

Marriage Story — Running Time: 2:16 — Rating: R “Marriage Story” opens beautifully as a husband and wife describe each other and the path of their marriage from day one to now. As each finishes the personal tale, we have become happy captives in their pro … (read more)

The Current War: Director’s Cut — Running Time: 1:47 — Rating: PG-13 Here’s how the studio describes “The Current War: Director’s Cut:” “The dramatic story of the cutthroat race between electricity titans Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse to determine … (read more)

By the Grace of God — Running Time: 2:17 — Rating: R “By the Grace of God” scorches the screen. It is very rare to see a powerful film explore its subject at the height of its disturbing influence. See it for quality and for the willingness of its makers … (read more)