Silverado

“Silverado” is fun. A throwback western made at a time (1985) when people weren’t making many westerns. Fun for audiences. While it’s true to the genre, everyone plays it with a wink and a nod, especially Non-cowboyish actors like John Cleese, Danny Glover, Jeff Goldblum and Kevin Kline. Decked out in period costumes and riding horses, they go about their business with gusto instead of looking like fish out of water. But Kevin Costner has the most fun of all in a bouncing-off-the-walls supporting role as Scott Glenn’s fun-loving, trouble-making little brother who can spin a six-shooter in either hand.

 

Ricki and the Flash

There’s this weird simpatico between Meryl Streep and her character in “Ricki and the Flash” (2015). Ricki is a washed-up rock musician and we see a lot of the washed-uppedness, with her waking up looking like a wreck, having to work at a grocery store (echoes of “The Wrestler”), close-ups of her taking her makeup off, etc. And you’re seeing a stripped-down Meryl having to play a real person, not someone with a foreign accent, or from 200 years ago, or anything like that. It doesn’t make this average family dramedy any better, but it does make it more interesting.

 

Darling Companion

I’d rather suffer temporary blindness for one hour and 58 minutes than watch a Diane Keaton movie. But I watched “Darling Companion” (2012) because I’m a professional. Keaton plays the type of character who screams for her daughter to pull off the interstate to rescue a stray dog (you’re shocked, I’m sure). Later, the dog strays again. The extended Keaton family searches – and learns a little something about themselves along the way (awww). The dog’s a metaphor. I don’t really give a damn what for. I’m just glad she finally stopped talking. Diane Keaton, I mean. The dog doesn’t talk.