American Woman (the one with Sienna Miller)

(Note: There were two films named “American Woman” released to U.S. audiences in close proximity)

If you took every one of the sad Sheryl Crow songs and tried to turn them into a movie, you’d end up with “American Woman” (2019). Haunted by the bad decisions of herself and others, slowly being grinded down by working-class life, Sienna Miller’s protagonist is a tragic figure except when she’s her own worst enemy. (Heck, Miller even looks like Crow.) There’s a missing-persons subplot that you keep thinking is going to spark into a full-fledged, true-crime story every time a new character is introduced, but alas, it’s simply a movie about perseverance, though a well-made one at that.

Army of One

As a drunken Irishman, I totally agree with the theory that God looks after drunks and Irishmen. Having watched “Army of One” (2016), I believe the definition of “drunk” may be broad enough to include Colorado stoners. Nicholas Cage devours scenery as a samurai Lebowski on a quest to bring Osama Bin Laden to justice. Hijinks ensue while somehow also giving birth to a working-class rom-com. If that seems like too much, just imagine your last conversation with that scatterbrained guy you know, the one who talks really fast to keep up with his thoughts. This movie is that conversation.