Bohemian Rhapsody

Publicity about the fired director and the historical inaccuracy could have sunk this project before it ever hit theaters. But Rami Malek, Dexter Fletcher, the rest of the cast, as well as the guardianship of the members of Queen, bring a “fake-it-til-you-make-it” rock-and-roll enthusiasm to this, which makes it fine and watchable. It strikes all of the necessary notes of the music bio-pic subgenre and features a rousing finale. But I can see how the gay community and the AIDS awareness advocates might be put off by this. It’s clearly trying to rush through that stuff quickly so that they can arrive at the next musical number. This movie will help sell a lot of records for years to come, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I just wish they had said SOME-thing about Flash Gordon.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

This short film compilation by the Coens is tied together with one common theme: death. It’s always a treat to get a new film from the Coens, although admittedly the Netflix release makes this a more muted affair. While the entire thing takes place in the “old west”, it doesn’t feel like a western. It’s not fun or action-filled and is more of a measurement of existential wrangling than it is about shoot-em-ups in the OK corral. I like the Tom Waits segment the most, perhaps because it’s the most optimistic? Typically of the brothers, it’s technically flawless and visually innovative, and strikes its creepy and silly chords with snappy timing. But you’ll mosey away from this feeling gloomy -- it’s not a day at the carnival, just like the old west, I suppose.