Winning an Oscar for Best Screenplay is almost as good as winning one for Best Director. It keeps the film alive and points out what really drives a great movie.
This year, two stellar examples (โAnatomy of a Fallโ and โAmerican Fictionโ) demonstrated the point. โOppenheimerโ may have won Best Picture and Best Director but it ceded the writing prize to โAmerican Fiction.โ
Written by Cord Jefferson, the comedy was a great look at society and the shifts that people face. Theolonious โMonkโ Ellison is a respected scholar and lecturer but what does he do when his novels tank and his teaching career is at a standstill? At a book fair, he notices who draws the crowd: a street-heavy story called โWeโs Lives in Da Ghetto.โ
This image released by MGM shows Jeffrey Wright in a scene from "American Fiction." (Claire Folger/MGM-Orion via AP)
The author is someone with a prestigious background, not a tough life in the inner city. Does he sell out and follow her lead? Or does he rail against stereotypes and plot a different course? Thatโs the fun of โAmerican Fiction.โ
Itโs obvious what sells but Jefferson, who also directed, makes the journey so compelling you wonโt be able to guess how Ellison wraps it up.
With Jeffrey Wright as the torn writer, โFictionโ is even more intriguing. He can play both offended and offensive with equal ease and isnโt above sinking low for a shot at success. Life gets sticky, however, when eager readers want to know more about his alias, Stagg R. Leigh, and that tough upbringing.
In contrast, we see Ellisonโs family โ successful siblings and a mother dealing with dementia. When Leighโs book is short-listed for an award, life becomes complicated and a crisis of conscience for its author.
This image released by MGM shows Sterling K. Brown in a scene from "American Fiction." (Claire Folger/MGM-Orion Releasing via AP)
Jefferson, adapting Percival Everettโs novel, โErasure,โ doesnโt cut anyone breaks. Sinatra Golden (Issa Rae), the woman behind โDa Ghetto,โ has answers to his pointed questions and isnโt about to say she wrote it for financial reasons. Instead, she says she based it on interviews and is giving voice to another segment of society.
Ellison doesnโt have the same out. He wants the money; he doesnโt want the backlash that comes from writing Black stereotypes. So, he plays the game, agreeing to phone interviews and concocting a colorful past for Leigh โ one that could easily be checked.
To complicate matters, thereโs a hot director (nicely played by Adam Brody) whoโs interested in turning the book into a film.
At home, mom (Leslie Uggams) isnโt getting any better and Monkโs siblings (Tracee Ellis Ross and Sterling K. Brown) are pushing him to take a stand.
This image released by MGM shows Erika Alexander, left, and Jeffrey Wright in a scene from "American Fiction." (Claire Folger/MGM-Orion via AP)
Wright is so good at countering all the forces you wonder when his meltdown will occur. Reminiscent of other imposter stories, โAmerican Fictionโ manages to take on both the literary worldโs fascination with newly discovered talent and the desire by established writers to remain relevant. Jefferson forces his leading characterโs hand and gets a Wright we havenโt seen before.
Gem-like performances from Rae, Ross and Brown add to the filmโs luster. โAmerican Fictionโ has โVEEPโ-like tendencies and a resolution that says thereโs a price to pay for messing with the faux status quo.
Movies in a minute with film critic Bruce Miller
Movies in a Minute: "Abigail"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says that if you get an invitation to dinner from "Abigail" just say it got lost in the mail. She's a messy eater.
Movies in a Minute: "Civil War"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Civil War" seems like a film designed to scare audiences into attention.
Movies in a Minute: "Monkey Man"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Monkey Man" never sits still. The film is full of extreme close-up shots which are impossible to ignore and, often, easy to misread.
Movies in a Minute: "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" isnโt as good as previous mashups, but this, you might say, is the โOppenheimerโ of the monsterverse.
Movies in a Minute: "Late Night With the Devil"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Late Night With the Devil" toys with its audience and plays out much like an old-school talk show.
Movies in a Minute: "Snack Shack"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Snack Shack" is Profane, constantly in motion and very retro. Itโs the vacation you didnโt think you needed but sure were glad you took.
Movies in a Minute: "Cabrini"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Cabrini" is a noble look at the patron saint of immigrants, Frances Cabrini. The film reminds us there is not an even playing field then โ or now. Itโs a stirring message at this time of year.
Movies in a Minute "Dune: Part Two"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Dune: Part Two" plops you in the middle of the action and never slows up. This sequel is beautifully photographed and powerfully scored.
Movies in a Minute: "Drive-Away Dolls"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Drive-Away Dolls" is isnโt as complete as youโd like it to be but it does have moments and isnโt afraid to let familiar faces play unfamiliar roles.
Movies in a Minute "Bob Marley: One Love"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Bob Marley: One Love" has plenty of music and a subdued vibe but it doesnโt tell us a lot about the reggae legend himself. The film leaves out plenty of key information โ the kind of stuff a fan would like to know.
Movies in a Minute: "Lisa Frankensteinโ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โLisa Frankensteinโ is a light romp in a dark, dark world. But it could have been a wild wallow in an era that was packed with possibilities.
Movies in a Minute: โThe Greatest Night in Popโ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โThe Greatest Night in Popโ is a wonderful slice of history that shows what happens when stars check their egos at the door and produce something iconic.
Movies in a Minute: "Poor Things"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Poor Things" may be one of the most bizarre films of the year, but it's also a springboard for some of the best acting work of the year.
Movies in a Minute: Best Actress nominee Sandra Huller
UpdatedSandra Huller, who stars in two Best Picture nominees, "Anatomy of a Fall," and "The Zone of Interest," is also nominated for Best Actress for her role in the former. Movie critic Bruce Miller calls Huller's performances incredible and says her Best Actress nomination is one of the most deserving honors of the year.
Movies in a Minute: "Mean Girls"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Mean Girls" has a problem with the translation to the big screen. Here, itโs darker and, somehow, more serious.
Movies in a Minute: "Anyone But You"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Anyone But You" isnโt as fun or as snarky as you want it to be. Itโs just a chance for it stars to try something new without making a huge mistake.
Movies in a Minute: "The Color Purple"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "The Color Purple" is an all-singing all-dancing extravaganza that sometimes overshadows the story of Celie, but it's a powerful film that packs a punch.
Movies in a Minute: "The Iron Claw"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "The Iron Claw" is a fascinating slice of life that suggests all the fame in the world may look great but it canโt replace a little parental love.
Movies in a Minute: "Wonka"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Wonka,โ the prequel to โWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,โ is just as delightful as the original.
Movies in a Minute: "May December"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "May December" goes deeper than any investigative story and hurts more than a well-timed social media post.
Movies in a Minute: "Wish"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says Disney's "Wish" has so many mediocre references to past animated films it canโt help but pale in comparison.
Movies in a Minute: "Next Goal Wins"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Next Goal Wins" is largely a matter of how you define โwinning.โ Unfortunately, the story is so scattered itโs hard to find the momentum.
Movies in a Minute: "The Marvels"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "The Marvels" is not very interesting. The three crime fighters take on a baddie looking for a second bracelet but universal domination shouldnโt be the goal of everyone in a superhero movie.
Movies in a Minute: "The Holdovers"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "The Holdovers" is a holiday movie with some rougher edges. Despite being bathed in the glow of nostalgia, โThe Holdoversโ is brutally real about human relationships.
Movies in a Minute: "Five Nights at Freddy's"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Five Nights at Freddy's" is like something youโd find on Nickelodeon over Halloween weekend. It isn't a chilling gore fest. It tests the nerves but it doesnโt fry the brain.
Movies in a Minute "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" is spectacular and easy to watch, though it may be a long sit for some viewers. Swift's lyrics hit the target right in the heart.
Movies in a Minute: "Killers of the Flower Moon"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Killers of the Flower Moonโ is true cinema. Itโs art in its highest form that never fails to entertain.
Movies in a Minute: "The Exorcist: Believer"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller calls the "The Exorcist: Believer" a respectful reboot but definitely not a head turner.
Movies in a Minute: "Fair Play"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Fair Play" is easily one of the most compelling films of the year.
Movies in a Minute: "Expend4bles"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Expend4bles" is a pretty run of the mill. While you may enjoy some of the action โ even though none of the gunplay seems motivated โ you will enjoy the handful of minutes Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham are together on screen.
Movies in a Minute: "A Haunting in Venice"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "A Haunting in Venice" doesnโt scare up much drama or give its stellar cast a lot to do. In short, is awfully dull.
Movies in a Minute: "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3"
UpdatedDespite a solid performance from Andrea Martin as Aunt Voula, movie critic Bruce Miller says "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3" is a series of one-liners covering a very obvious story.
Movies in a Minute: "The Equalizer 3"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "The Equalizer 3" is a lot like โJohn Wickโ and any number of Liam Neeson movies; very violent, but with a simple story. But if it gets Washington on screen, who are we to complain?
Movies in a Minute: "Blue Beetle"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Blue Beetle" brings a different vibe to the suit, not the story. It's very much Spider-Man in a different neighborhood. This film plays by the rules but itโs best when it colors outside the lines. Those flights of fancy make it interesting and, yes, worth suiting up.
Movies in a Minute: "Gran Turismo"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Gran Turismo" will make you want to rev your engine on the way home from the theater.
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Movies in a Minute: Mid-year wrap-up
UpdatedWithout a doubt, โBarbieโ and โOppenheimerโ were the big surprises. โGuardians of the Galaxy Volume 3โ showed there was still life in superhero films, and โSound of Freedom" continues to do good business thanks to its word of mouth campaign.
Movies in a Minute: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says thereโs plenty of ninja action in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem" and a lot of familiar tropes, but what really flies here is the cast.
Fans in Mumbai celebrate new Rajinikanth movie
UpdatedHundreds of fans of Rajinikanth, one of Indiaโs biggest movie superstars, celebrated the release of his latest movie "Jailer.โ Popular movie stars are treated like gods in India, often worshipped like deities by their fans. When Rajinikanth appeared on screen at the 6 a.m. screening, the theater stopped the movie for a minute as fans rejoiced in his return after two years.
Movies in a Minute: "Haunted Mansion"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โHaunted Mansionโ has a little too much conversation to be a truly scary film. When it ends, you arenโt any wiser about the mansion, but you just might want to take a trip to Disney World.
Movies in a Minute: "Barbie"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โBarbieโ is a playdate thatโs also educational. Itโs one of the most intelligent films of the year.
Movies in a Minute: โMission: Impossible โ Dead Reckoning Part Oneโ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โMission: Impossible โ Dead Reckoning Part Oneโ is a visual treat.
Movies in a Minute: โJoy Rideโ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โJoy Rideโ is raunchy but very, very funny.
Movies in a Minute: โIndiana Jones And The Dial Of Destinyโ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โIndiana Jones And The Dial Of Destinyโ has enough close calls to wonder if this really is his last trek. As with all Indiana Jones films, this one rarely sits still.
Movies in a Minute: โNo Hard Feelingsโ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โNo Hard Feelingsโ lacks key scenes that might have made it seem a little less calculated. Jennifer Lawrence gets big laughs and it doesnโt take a genius to figure out where this is headed.
Movies in a Minute: "Elemental"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โElementalโ has visuals that spark some interest, but the story itself is more interested in making puns than firing emotions.
Movies in a Minute: โTransformers: Rise of the Beastsโ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โTransformers: Rise of the Beastsโ has some wincingly bad moments but itโs a fairly harmless ride. If you can buy innocence in the world of Transformers, you should be able to fall for just about anything.
Movies in a Minute: โSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verseโ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verseโ isnโt an animated film meant for very young movie goers but it is a spidey-delight for everyone else. Even when you canโt follow the story, you can enjoy the spectacular visuals which are like an art exhibit that pops to life.
Movies in a Minute: "The Little Mermaid"
UpdatedDespite the excellent work of Halle Bailey as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in the live action version of "The Little Mermaid," Sioux City Journal film critic Bruce Miller says the movie is just another attempt to squeeze money out of a property that didn't need remaking.
Movies in a Minute: โFast Xโ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โFast Xโ has too many characters and a plot that loops like a Six Flags roller coaster. Jason Momoa as Dante Reyes is much better than past villains and isnโt afraid to go out of his comfort zone.
Movies in a Minute: "Book Club: The Next Chapter"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โBook Club: The Next Chapterโ is really just a string of one-liners. The plot is non-existent, itโs just a ruse to get four stars together for a bachelorette party in Italy.
Movies in a Minute: โGuardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3โ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โGuardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3โ entertains in new ways. Rocket the Raccoon gets center stage and does a great job.
Movies in a Minute: "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret."
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โAre You There God? It's Me, Margaret.โ presents a simple way of approaching life and the curves it tosses. Itโs a good lesson for us all.
Movies in a Minute: "The Covenant"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says as much as it traffics in clichรฉs, โThe Covenantโ will help you understand what matters most โ here, there and everywhere in the world.
Movies in a Minute: "Renfield"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โRenfieldโ is simply a way to draw the bug-eating, vampire helpers of the world. Itโs not a good look at the much-maligned character, just a film that bears his name.
Movies in a Minute: "Air"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Air" isn't just the story of a shoe. Itโs what happens to that shoe once Michael Jordan puts his foot in it. On all counts, โAirโ soars.
Movies in a Minute: "Dungeons and Dragons"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says the special effects in โDungeons and Dragonsโ are just so-so, but the script isnโt. This is an adventure that has plenty of laughs and a sense of purpose that makes it nobler than โThe Lord of the Rings.โ
Movies in a Minute: "John Wick Chapter 4"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says the action sequences are impeccable in โJohn Wick: Chapter 4." This last film gives fans the kind of closure they may have been seeking.
Movies in a Minute: โChampionsโ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โChampionsโ surprises in ways you wouldnโt think and shows us Woody Harrelson still knows his way around a basketball court.
Movies in a Minute: โCreed IIIโ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โCreed IIIโ isnโt so much a boxing film as it is a look at the power of family. Itโs very much about emotions and responsibility.
Movies in a Minute: โ80 for Bradyโ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โ80 for Bradyโ is really just a good idea that goes nowhere.
Movies in a Minute: "Challengers"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Challengers" is a smart love fest for fans of tennis. The film is a closer than usual look at the emotional toll the game takes. When the action starts, weโre curious how itโs going to play out.
Movies in a Minute: "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" includes the best motion capture performance weโve seen and, easily, the reason this film works so well. No matter how many โPlanet of the Apesโ films youโve seen, this is the one to embrace.
Movies in a Minute: "The Fall Guy"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "The Fall Guy" rolls out every jaw-dropping stunt possible and manages to pull the curtain back on the movie industry.
Movies in a Minute: "The Blue Angels"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "The Blue Angels" documentary shows us what itโs like to be the best of the best. For fans of air shows, itโs a great โrest of the storyโ production.
Movies in a Minute: "Summer Camp"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says โSummer Campโ doesnโt have a spark that could start a fire.
Movies in a Minute: "Jim Henson Idea Manโ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "โJim Henson Idea Manโ shows how the puppeteer created the Muppets and Sesame Street. โIdea Manโ scratches at the surface of Jim Henson. It just doesnโt dig into the felt.
Movies in a Minute "Bad Boys: Ride or Die"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" doesnโt try to deliver big messages, it's just a lot of fun.
Movies in a Minute: "Inside Out 2"
UpdatedMovies in a Minute: "Thelma"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment critic Bruce Miller says that while the action in โThelmaโ may not be all that realistic, itโs highly entertaining and just the ticket for audiences tired of three-part dramas.
Movies in a Minute "A Quiet Place: Day One"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says the joy of "A Quiet Place: Day One" is how well Lupita Nyongโo conveys every emotion without words. Sheโs a wonderful actress who makes you care about her, her cat and the law student, played by Joseph Quinn. When theyโre in danger, weโre in danger. When theyโre exhaling, weโre exhaling.
Movies in a Minute "Maxxxine"
Movie critic Bruce Miller says "Maxxxine" doesnโt accomplish much or really scare. Itโs a visual treat but a scary movie dud. Itโs merely an attempt for a director to walk in otherโs shoes, not blaze new trails.
Movies in a Minute "Despicable Me 4"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Despicable Me 4" is all over the map, looking for something to stick. Itโs fine for those with short attention spans but for everyone else itโs a mess to sort out.
Movies in a Minute: "Deadpool & Wolverine"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Deadpool & Wolverine" is the Marvel film for everyone who has grown weary of superheroes and their overly long stories. Teaming with Jackman was a brilliant move. The yin and yang of the new Marvel Universe can take on everyone and still manage a smirk.
Movies in a Minute: "Twisters"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Twisters" whips up plenty of action to be one of the best movies this summer.
Movies in a Minute: "Trap"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Trap" is an interesting concept, particularly since it plays on understandable fears.
Movies in a Minute: "It Ends With Us"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "It Ends with Usโ becomes yet another protracted romance in which no one is honest and open. Itโs an OK relationship drama, it just didnโt need more than two hours to make its point.
Movies in a Minute "Alien: Romulus"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Alien: Romulus" isnโt afraid to throw in a good olโ popcorn surprise when you least expect it. You donโt have to know a thing about the earlier โAlienโ films to enjoy this one.
Movies in a Minute: "Blink Twice"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says if you put a bunch of people on an island just about anything can happen..... and, in "Blink Twice," it does.
Movies in a Minute: "Reagan"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Reagan" squeezes too much drama into one film. It's a CliffsNotes approach to history just hitting the highlights and quickly moving on.
Movies in a Minute: "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says that when Beetlejuice, Michael Keatonโs crazy-haired bio-exorcist, appears all is right in the crazy world of this sequel to 1988's "Beetlejuice." But be forewarned - if you're not familiar with the original movie, you may have some catching up to do.
Movies in a Minute: "Speak No Evil"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Speak No Evil" is visually messy and disjointed. It becomes one of those horror films that makes you want to scream at the screen.
