Mr. Movie: More films you're never heard of

From Mr. Movie’s endless vault (almost), I present another clutch of pretty good films you probably never heard of. Give one or two a look. (If you can find them!)

Even if you don’t like baseball (shame on you!), I think you would enjoy Fastball (2016), a very good documentary. It explores the science and the myths about baseballs being thrown at incredible speeds. Nolan Ryan, Hank Aaron and other notable baseballers join narrator Kevin Costner in this fascinating doc. Many players insist that a fastball rises as it crosses the plate, while scientists say this isn’t possible. The debate rages on — and it is lots of fun to watch it!

I freely admit a lifelong love of all things Winnie The Pooh. So, of course, I really liked Christopher Robin (2018), a film about the little boy grown into a man. When trouble comes, Pooh shows up in his back yard. Together they return to the Hundred Acre Wood where all the other little animals are on hand to help. Oh bother! Things get bumpy but smooth out quite well.

Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) Is based on Lee Israel’s book of the same name. Melissa McCarthy portrays the woman who got really good at forging the signature of authors and creating valuable editions. Richard Grant plays her abetter, often taking their forgeries to dealers for cash. This is a fascinating story well played. Both actors were nominated for Oscars, but lost to Olivia Colman for The Favourite and Mahershala Ali for Green Book.

What They Had (2018) is an excellent portrayal of the family situation so many face. The family’s matriarch is fading into dementia. The kids want her to be in a caring facility. The father is dead set against it, insisting he can take care of her. Such stubborn insistence has been faced by many children. But she is the love of his life and he just can’t let go. Blythe Danner, Hillary Swank, Michael Shannon and Robert Forster comprise a crackerjack cast
 

The Fault In Our Stars (2014) is a better than average coming of age flick, marked indelibly by the wonderful breakout performance of Shaliene Woodley. Veterans William Dafoe and Laura Dern pump up the supporting cast, but this is Ms. Woodley’s movie, lock, stock and barrel. Though she’s only 32, she already has over 50 acting credits. This one is worth seeing just for her performance.

All of the movies in this column are available (somewhere). The first three are fine for all ages. The last two, grown-ups only.