2017 SLEEPERS
                                                        Part 5

Logan Lucky has a fine ensemble cast and local color since it involves a heist from the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Channing Tatum and Adam Driver are the planners and operators of the very complicated robbery. It involves the use of the speedway’s vacuum tube system to channel receipts from the right place to the wrong one. There are lots of personal stories involved also, but the daring robbery is the main event. I know it is unlikely (okay, impossible) but just go with it and you’ll have fun. 
Most of us around these parts don’t know very much about the talented and incredibly brave forest fire fighters in the western US. Only The Brave is based on a true story and a fascinating object lesson about these people. Josh Brolin plays Eric Marsh, head of the Prescott Fire and Rescue team. When the film starts, they are rated as a 2 squad, which means they are secondary to 1 squads, which are called Hotshots. They of course want to be Hotshots, and when their leader correctly calls a fire direction missed by a California Hotshot crew, they are on their way. They successfully fight several fires and their methods and efforts are very entertaining. 
Professor Marston And The Wonder Women is the true (more or less) story of the life of Professor William Marston. This guy was all over the place breaking through convention. He invented a very workable lie detector. While conducting research with his wife and a young student, the three fall in love and decide to become a threesome. This is in the 1920's! He has children by both women and they live happily in a New York suburb, most people none the wiser as to what’s going on. Marston then invents the character of Wonder Woman (yep, that one) and though he has trouble selling the idea, it eventually catches on.
Molly’s Game is Jessica Chastain’s show wire to wire. It is based on Ms. Bloom’s autobiography. As the film begins, she is a world-class moguls skier, pushed unmercifully by her overbearing father. At the 2002 Olympic try-outs she suffers a career-ending injury. She moves to LA and as a cocktail waitress finds out about and serves at her boss’ high-stakes poker games. The players like her. She decides to stop being the middle man of the operation and starts her own game, which is highly successful. Things crash badly when she is arrested by the FBI. She is offered a plea deal in which she can name her players and walk. She refuses to do so and goes to trial.
Beatriz At Dinner gives diminutive Salma Hayek a chance to shine. She plays a massage therapist with her own business. When her car breaks down after a session with super rich Kathy, she is invited to stay for dinner. The other guests include Doug Strutt (aptly named and played to the hilt by John Lithgow). When Beatriz enters the room, Doug assumes she is a servant and acts accordingly. Even when he discovers otherwise, he continues to be the quintessential bigot. My daughter and I both loved everything about this film except the ending. What do you think? 
All of the movies in this article are available on DVD. All are for adults.