Knives Out is a jolly good whodunit. Big cast, plenty of plot curves and twists, a creepy old family manor, and just when you think you know…wait there’s more. This is a very fun flick to enjoy – a nice break from the holiday scramble.

Oliver Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) has the family gathered for his 85^th birthday. Everyone has a selfish reason to be there and they are counting on inheritance money someday. Well, Oliver, a renowned mystery author, is found dead the next morning with his throat slit. Suicide? Or murder? The siblings and spouses gather – Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Evans, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, Toni Collette, along with the nurse (Ana de Armas) to be questioned by police and a hired (by whom?) private investigator, Blanc (played with great fun by Daniel Craig sporting a southern accent).

Who argued with whom? Who stormed out? Who’s been double dipping? Who manages the publishing company and wants to expand to movies and tv? Who’s self-made but still seeks daddy’s approval? Oh the knives are out everywhere, along with footprints in the mud, dogs barking in the middle of the night, and Oliver’s mother (yes, she must be over 100) who seems to always be at the right window at the right time. What did she see?

Daniel Craig is a hoot pondering the clues, questioning the red herrings, and keeping this self-absorbed selfish family (all well-acted and great to see in combinations) on its toes. Knives Out is quite clever, very entertaining, and might make you appreciate your own family, however modest your gatherings, even more. I can tell you it was not Mr. Mustard in the library with the candlestick. Enjoy!

Movie Review Madness: The Way Way Back

The Way Way Back takes place in current times, but it has an old fashioned feel to it and that's a good thing. Nothing blows up except a concerned passionate teenager. Newcomer, Liam James, is superb as Duncan. He's a fourteen year old kid stuck in the way way back of his mom's boyfriend's restored station wagon. They are headed to a beach house to play "family". The mom, Toni Collette, is trying to blend in but can tell there are issues lurking in her relationship. The boyfriend, played by Steve Carell, appears to be trying to get along with Duncan, but the man's a jerk. Carell is the perfect mix of decent looking, upstanding, ass. His daughter is equally as condescending.

At the beach, Duncan squirms at the adult behavior and ultimately flees on an old girls bike he finds in the shed. His pedaling brings him to Water Whizz park, and there he finds some happiness as an employee. Sam Rockwell is excellent as the park manager and he brings out the true Duncan - smart, sweet kid. Duncan also bonds with the neighbor girl next door who is tired of the fake shallowness of the other girls. She recognizes Duncan's humor and depth.

All in all, The Way Way Back is a coming of age story and you will root for Duncan the whole way. You will remember the awkwardness of fourteen. The directors capture it perfectly, as well as the feel of small town beach vacation. Sam Rockwell has finally been cast well and his underutilized acting skills are on full power in this film. Toni Collette always brings her game. Allison Janney is cringeworthy as the drunk neighbor with low esteem. Carell is chilling. But it's Liam James who carries this film and he's a joy. From a mumbling, bumbling nerd to a new found confident nerd, the kid can sit up straight in the way way back.

Smart acting, smart writing, and just a smart little film for the summer - a fresh ocean breeze at the theater.