Atlantics: A love story

Set in Senegal's coastal capital Dakar, the North Atlantic Ocean could be the protagonist of this Romeo-and-Juliet-style love story. The only reason it isn't is because the actors are so deeply compelling. In fact, so engaging, that this Netflix film stands up to any movie released this year.

Ada, the exquisite Mame Sane, and Souleiman (Ibrahima Traore) are young and in love, but their poverty and lack of opportunity make it impossible to sustain a relationship. He sets out by boat for Spain never to return...unless you happen to believe in the supernatural.

Think of "Ghost," the Patrick Swayze/Demi Moore tearjerker without the cheesy scenes.

Some will say this is a movie about economic disparity or immigration by necessity.

Not the Movie Slut. She sees this as a story about love so deep it transcends reality and  defies death.

Frankie: So bad it's good

The first time Marisa Tomei appears on screen in this chilly excuse for a movie, we see only the back of her head. She's talking, but we don't see her facial expressions. That caught the Movie Slut's attention. What was the director thinking?

We don't know, of course, but we do know that this devise was used throughout the film, making it his go-to shot.

We can only think that he thought the scenery, which was lovely (Portugal countryside), was the flick's strongest suit.

What was wrong with this movie? The Movie Slut had a good time counting the ways. Even the usually dazzling Isabelle Huppert couldn't lift it from its misery.

Riichard Jewell: A tarnished gem

Can one blemish mar an otherwise perfect jewel?

That's the question movie-goers have to decide regarding Clint Eastwood's new movie about the man suspected in the bombing at Centennial Park during the 1996 Olympics.

Sadly, for the Movie Slut this flaw is too great to give the film a rave, and sadly, it's a totally unnecessary misstep. In his zeal to pinpoint a villain, Eastwood shows—and names—a real reporter trading sex for an FBI tip. No matter, that this is a fictitious plot point. And exacerbating this outrage, the named reporter died and is therefore unable to defend herself.

The Movie Slut is outraged!!!!! Especially since the heart of this movie is about the ruination of a  man who was wrongly accused of a crime he didn't commit. Irony alert!

Eastwood should be ashamed of himself and sued into smithereens. He not only besmirched the memory of this reporter, but belittled his film and the sensational acting by Paul Walter Hauser (Jewell), Kathy Bates (his mother), Sam Rockwell, (his lawyer), Jon Hamm (the FBI agent), and Olivia Wilde (the maligned journalist Kathy Scruggs).

Honey Boy: No artificial sweetner here

The Movie Slut almost skipped this flick. Who wants to watch an abusive, alcoholic father inflicting damage to his son? But, well, the Movie Slut is the Movie Slut and it was $5.50 Tuesday. Now she's sure glad she went.

Honey Boy is the story of actor Shia LaBoeuf, who lived with his father in a fleabag hotel as his career as a child actor took off. LaBoeuf plays his father and wrote the screenplay, a beautifully restrained and poignant account of his struggles, as well as those of his father.

The movie spans about six year, with Noah Jupe as 12-year-old Shia, and Lucas Hedges as the 18-year-old, who winds up in rehab after one too many DUIs.

Honey Boy just might be the best movie you didn't want to see.

Marriage Story: Sad & True

Stay tuned for review

Queen and Slim: Thelma and Louise in color

If you still wonder why the black community cheered when OJ Simpson was acquitted, then you have to see this thoughtful and entertaining movie. It puts you in the shoes of two people of color who don't trust law enforcement (for good reason) or the justice system (for good reason, too).

They were on a first date that went terribly bad, and although she admits a second date was not in their future, well, let's just say they wind up spending the rest of their lives together.

The Movie Slut was wowed by this flick. See if you are, too.

Dark Waters: The Truth About Teflon

Imagine Erin Brokovitch without cleavage. Imagine she's Mark Ruffalo and she has a law degree.
Now you have a pretty good idea what Dark Waters is about.

You've got your greedy corporation that puts $ above lives. You have your tenacious truth-finder determined to bring them to justice.

You've got the odds all stacked against him, David & Goliath-like.

So the story is predictable. Who cares. When Ruffalo is on screen, you have to believe.

The Movie Slut did and she encourages you to test these dark waters.