Rog's Movie Viewpoint

Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), working as a clown-for-hire, has dreams of becoming a stand-up comic in Gotham City. A rough upbringing and caring for ailing mother Penny (Frances Conroy) contribute to his mental health and downward spiral. After job problems and taking more than one beating, Arthur finally snaps - leading to a destined life of crime. The darkest entry in DC Comics cinematic history, this standalone film is basically

In 1927, excitement fills the halls of Downton Abbey. Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), his American wife Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) and their family and staff frantically prepare for a visit by King George V (Simon Jones) and Queen Mary (Geraldine James). As the fateful day approaches, anything can happen - and it does. The smashing television drama of the aristocratic Crawley family and their staff comes to the big screen in grand fashion. After the success of "Upstairs, Downstairs", British and PBS audiences craved more

It's been 27 years since the terrifying clown Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) terrorized the town of Derry, Maine and the young members of the Losers Club. Now Mike (Isaiah Mustafa), the only club member to stay in Derry, knows that Pennywise has returned. He summons his grown up pals to fulfill their childhood pact and end this menace for good. The final cinematic chapter, based on Stephen King's 1986 novel and the sequel to "It" (2017), is a satisfying slam-bang horror epic. Nearly three hours in length, it covers

In 2003, British intelligence specialist Katharine Gun (Keira Knightley) received an NSA classified memo about the United States seeking Britain's help. The mission was to gather compromising information for the purpose of blackmailing United Nations Security Council members into voting in favor of an invasion of Iraq. Morally against an illegal war, Gun became a whistleblower and leaked the memo to the press. She risked everything by defying the government, including her life and marriage to Kurdish refugee Yasar Gun (Adam Bakri). Another effective performance by Keira Knightley gives this true-life political drama a huge boost. Based on the

President Trumbull's (Morgan Freeman) bodyguard, U.S. Secret Service agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler), is framed for an attack that kills all but Banning and the comatose president. The wounded agent becomes a hunted man - desperate to prove his innocence. The third entry in the Banning saga is a spirited thriller that keeps this series alive. A flawed and predictable story gets in the way with

Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a young nursing home resident with Down syndrome, dreams of attending the professional wrestling school of his hero: The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). With a little help from his roommate Carl (Bruce Dern), he escapes the home to hopefully attain his goal. On the road, Zak connects with fugitive Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) - on the run for questionable dealings involving crab traps. Their friendship grows as he mentors Zak while traveling along the Southeast waterways to Tyler's destination of Florida. Eventually joining the pair is Eleanor (Dakota Johnson), a nursing home worker sent to bring Zak back. Surprises await the trio on their quest. Impressive performances lend credibility to this fanciful journey. Making his narrative feature acting debut, Zack Gottsagen is

When their mobster husbands are sent to prison, three 1978 New York City's Hell's Kitchen wives are left with little to survive on from the Irish mafia. Kathy (Melissa McCarthy), Ruby (Tiffany Haddish) and Claire (Elisabeth Moss) take matters into their own hands. They become experts at running the criminal organization and eliminating the competition. This crime drama fails to cook up enough

America's Diplomatic Security Service agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) is recruited by the CIA to recover a deadly virus that's coveted by cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton (Idris Elba). The virus has been injected into the body of rogue MI6 agent Hattie Shaw (Vanessa Kirby), framed for murder by Brixton and on the run. Hobbs reluctantly is partnered with old adversary Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), who happens to be Hattie's brother. The pair must learn to get along, find Hattie and save the world. Happily, what you see in the trailers is what you get. Director David Leitch ("Deadpool 2") packs the screen with

Fading star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double/friend Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) struggle to make their way in 1969 Hollywood. Having starred in the popular television western series "Bounty Law", Rick is now relegated to bad guy roles in episodic TV shows and pilots. Meanwhile, Cliff spends his time as Dalton's chauffeur/handyman and trying to hook up with Pussycat (Margaret Qualley), who is a member of the infamous Manson Family. Rick's next door neighbors are Roman Polanski (Rafal Zawierucha) and his wife Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie). Lives are about to change. Director/writer Quentin Tarantino's love of film, especially westerns, shines from

Ruler of the Pride Rock animal kingdom, King Mufasa (the voice of James Earl Jones) needs to train his young son Simba (voiced by JD McCrary) to someday rule. But the young heir is more interested in exploring and having fun with his female friend Nala ( the voice of Shahadi Wright Joseph). But tragedy strikes thanks to Mufasa's treacherous brother Scar (voiced by Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Simba is forced into exile. Gaining new friends warthog Pumbaa (the voice of Seth Rogen) and meerkat Timon (voiced by Billy Eichner), the young prince grows up with no worries. When the adult Nala (the voice of Beyoncé Knowles-Carter) escapes the harsh rule of Scar and his vicious band of hyenas, she finds the grown and carefree Simba (voiced by Donald Glover). Now he must face his responsibilities, defeat his uncle and become the rightful king. The 1994 animated masterpiece gets an imposing makeover. The story and characters are the same, yet the look is different. Replacing the enchanting