as part of our preparations for the invasion, I'm redesigning my uniform. Note the feathers for aerodynamics, the sparkly color to dazzle the enemy, the boots purely decorative

This is an educational set. Entertaining, too.

Moonlight (2016) - "A young African-American man grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood."

Source: I borrowed the Blu-ray from the public library
I watched it because: it won a bunch of awards
IMDB: 7.4/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 98% Audience: 79%

notable quote: "Relax, I got you. I promise. I won't let you go. Hey, man. I got you. There you go... Right there. You in the middle of the world."
story: a small picture of a young man growing up against the odds
visuals: sumptuous, reflective
acting: never a wrong note in this cast, Mahershala Ali (Juan) and Janelle Monáe (Theresa) were my touchstones

intangibles: brilliant.
Academy Award winner:
• Best Picture

• Best Supporting Actor—Ali

• Best Adapted Screenplay
Academy Award nominee:
• Best Supporting Actress—Naomie Harris (Paula)

• Best Director—Barry Jenkins

• Best Cinematography

• Best Film Editing

• Best Music, Original Score
overall:  recommended

The Fabulous Dorseys (1947) - "Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey play themselves in this vehicle for their excellent music, from being raised by their father who insists on them learning music, to the split that just saw their careers rise even further."
Source: it is included in my Silver Screen Musicals box set
I watched it because: I was in the mood for something light
IMDB: 5.6/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: N/A% Audience: 28%

notable quote: "There is only one thing worse than being Irish, and that is not being Irish!"
story: a weird combo between musical entertainment and an awkwardly intrusive bio-pic, this succeeds on neither level
costumes, hair & makeup: gosh, men dressed fine and ladies looked classy in the 1940s, didn't they?
acting: once again, it is difficult to know what was acting and what was real, particularly in terms of the petty arguments between Tommy and Jimmy

intangibles: if you really, really love the Dorsey boys' music, then you might like this film. Otherwise, give it a pass.
overall: not recommended

Jojo Rabbit (2019) - "A young boy in Hitler's army finds out his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home."
Source: I borrowed the DVD from the public library
I watched it because: I've wanted to see it since it was first released 
IMDB: 7.9/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 80% Audience: 94%

notable quote: "One day, you'll make time. You'll think of nothing else. You'll meet someone, and spend your days dreaming of the moments you can hold them in your arms again. That's love."
story: it's a very fanciful tale of a German kid who completely buys into the Hitler movement, and his relationships with his best friend and his mom
visuals: stunning vision. Pristine, clear, distinctive shots and perspectives, lighting, colors. 
costumes, hair & makeup: wonderfully done, with so many plot points tied to these elements
acting: Roman Griffin Davis, whose first professional acting role was the title role (Jojo Betzler) in this film, was remarkable. So was Scarlett Johansson (Rosie Betzler), of whom I am generally not so fond. Taika Waititi (as Adolf fucking Hitler!) blew my mind. And Sam Rockwell - who had definitely been on my list of "no thanks, I'll pass" actors - changed my mind with his performance as Captain Klenzendorf. 

    (Rebel Wilson, though? ouate de phoque?!)

intangibles: don't go into this film expecting anyone to have a German accent. Or really for it to make sense. But it is a terrific movie, no matter how you slice it.
Academy Award winner: Best Adapted Screenplay—Waititi
Academy Award nominee:
• Best Picture

• Best Supporting Actress—Johansson

• Best Costume Design

• Best Production Design

• Best Film Editing
overall: hugely recommended

Honest Thief (2020) - "Wanting to lead an honest life, a notorious bank robber turns himself in, only to be double-crossed by two ruthless FBI agents."
Source: I borrowed the Blu-ray from the public library
I watched it because: Liam Neeson is not a realistic action hero, but I still want to believe he can pull it off... 
IMDB: 6.0/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 39% Audience: 87%

notable quote: "I'm not a bank robber anymore."
story: Neeson is Tom Dolan, former bank robber of great renown. He's met a woman, Annie Wilkins (Kate Walsh) who's made him want to live his life right. He surrenders himself to the FBI, only to be deceived by the agents with whom he works. He then has to go on the lam to save himself - and Annie.
acting: Neeson is better here than in the Taken and Unknown films, infinitely more engaging as a retired thief than an active whatever-he-was in those earlier movies. Walsh is great, revealing acting chops far beyond anything she was able to show off in that soap opera she was in. Jeffrey Donovan, though, in the role of agent Sean Meyers, was terrific. Just the right mix of skepticism and intelligence to make it stick.

intangibles: I liked it a lot. They don't all have to be life-changers - a lot of the time it's just about being entertained!
overall: recommended

We Were Strangers (1949) - "In 1930's Cuba, a bank clerk and an American mercenary assist a revolutionary group in a plan to kill the President but the Cuban Secret Police chief and the dictator's military complicate the plan's execution."
Source: it's part of my "Silver Screen Romances" box set
I watched it because: I was in the mood for romance
IMDB: 6.6/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 73% Audience: 65%

notable quote: "I have not lied so much since my wife went to live with her mother."
story: I seriously question the decision to include this in the set. It is a lukewarm political thriller, with some B-list actors doing a barely credible job. 
visuals: washed-out black and white
costumes, hair & makeup: nothing notable

intangibles: there's nothing very good about it, and enough that's bad, to make this...
overall: not  recommended

[the title quotation is from Jojo Rabbit]