Cinema Basement

 A review by Forrest Humphrey In the aftermath of “Avengers: Endgame”, Thor decides going on space adventures with the Guardians of the Galaxy is just what he needs to get back into his groove. Its on one of these wacky scenes that the Guardians get a distress call, one of particular interest to Thor. Something out there is going across the universe killing gods, and New Asgard might be next. So Thor parts with the Guardians and returns to Earth to confront this new threat, discovering his old flame Jane Foster has also somehow rebuilt Mjolnir after Hela destroyed it in “Ragnarok”. Now Thor, Jane, Valkyrie and Korg have to deal with a new villain, Gorr the God Butcher, before he finishes doing what his name implies. Up front, I think this is a mix of things I like more than the last film and some I like less. Up front, Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson are still here to put in work, and Natalie Portman's return comes along with what is hands down her best outing in these movie...

 A retrospective by Brooks Rich Middle aged childless couple Richard and Rachel are desperate to have a child. They have exhausted every option it seems, fertilization treatment, adoption, everything. In a last desperate effort they ask their niece to be an egg donor, which she immediately agrees to.  Writer director Tamara Jenkins is someone I don't think gets her fair shake. I find honesty in her films. Her slice of life stories feel real, with the perfect blend of comedy, drama, and a little bit of cringe. Much like real life. I'm a big fan of her previous films Slums of Beverly Hills and The Savages. Seek out both especially The Savages. It has the immortal Phillip Seymour Hoffman in it. But I think Private Life is Jenkins best film so far.  Paul Giamatti and Kathryn Hahn are fantastic in this. Hahn gives the performance of her career in this. She is astonishing as Rachel, showing the vulnerability sorrow, hope, and anger that comes with the situation. Jenkins is grea...