Over the past couple of months, I have done a series of reviews of what have turned out to be a trifecta of serious Oscar contenders.  

This is a stand-out year for “Three Thumbs Up” movies for Men.

This is a stand out year for “Three Thumbs Up” movies for men: King Richard, The Tender Bar, and The Tragedy of Macbeth.  

For too long, what has come out of Hollywood has been solipsistic, woke, divisive, virtue signaling, self-congratulatory, nihilistic, back-slapping crap.  

Prior to Covid, Hollywood was dying a slow, progressive death, but the movie business appears to be coming out of lockdown. Films have become more than bearable — and some are almost inspiring.

It looks like this new trend in movie-making is capable of producing Oscar contenders that not only check off the boxes for the Academy judges, but also for the folks buying the overpriced tickets, pop corn and soda.

It hard not to notice some an emerging trend behind good movie-making:   

All three Thumbs-Up winners have actors in leadership positions as directors and producers.  Will Smith is a triple threat: leading actor, producer and studio (Westwood).

Two of the three, are being distributed by new entrants—Tender Bar (Amazon); The Tragedy of Macbeth (Apple). 

Here’s my thinking on the three “Three Thumbs Up” pictures that show filmmaking at its Oscar-deserving best.

 King Richard

“The substance of King Richard ought to bring tears to the eyes of Stephen Covey, Rick Warren, Jesus Christ, and every father struggling to be good and every good father wanting to be great.” —PM

This Thanksgiving, Give Thanks to King Richard

Studio: Westbrook Studios (Will Smith owns it) 

Produced:  Will Smith, Tim White and Trevor White.

Distributed:  Warner Bros. Pictures

Director:  Reinaldo Marcus Green

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Starring:  Will Smith (King Richard in the title role, with Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, and Jon Bernthal).

The Tender Bar

“Watching (or reading) The Tender Bar ought to be a rite of male passage.  If you lack an Uncle Charlie, and need one, a movie and book like these can make a dent of a difference in your son, nephew, or the lost kid on the block of life.”—PM

The Tender Bar: Uncle Charlie knows best

Director: George Clooney

Produced: George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Ted Hope

Screenplay:  William Monahan

Based on:  The Tender Bar by J. R. Moehringe

Distributed: Amazon Studios

Production Companies:  Amazon Studios; Smokehouse Pictures, Grand Illusion Films

Starring:    Ben Affleck, Tye Sheridan, Lily Rabe, Christopher Lloyd, Daniel Ranie

The Tragedy of Macbeth 

“The Tragedy of Macbeth captures the animating pursuits of ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘House of Cards.’  Putin’s ambition is certainly Macbeth-worthy. The question before us: is Zelensky—and a united world—Macduff-worthy?”—PM

Macbeth: The Tragedy of the Game of Thrones

Director: Joel Coen

Based on:  Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Produced: Joel Coen, Frances McDormand, Robert Graf

Production Companies: A24, IAC Film

Distributed: Apple TV+,  A24

Starring:  Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Bertie Carvel,  Alex Hassell, Corey Hawkin ,Harry Melling, Brendan Gleeson

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