Tag Archives: The Bear

The Sheep Detectives

A Whodunit! A murder mystery solved by… sheep! That’s not a spoiler, that’s what the film’s about.

And such an enjoyable movie it is! It’s a comedy with visual as well as verbal jokes. It’s a fantasy with talking sheep. And it’s a homicide investigation with multiple suspects. And The Sheep Detectives satisfies in all three of those areas.

George Harvey (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd in the UK. At the end of each day he reads from murder mystery novels to his sheep, knowing that they, being sheep, have no idea what he is telling them. Ah, but they do know! And they try to solve the crimes he reads to them. The brightest sheep Lily (voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is the one who usually figures out who the culprit is.

After George is found dead and local cop Officer Derry (Nicholas Braun) supposes the death is likely the result of an accident, the sheep begin to have suspicions.

Enter George’s daughter Rebecca (Molly Gordon AKA Claire Bear on the TV show The Bear) and Rebecca’s lawyer Lydia Harbottle (Emma Thompson). At the reading of the will, it is revealed that Rebecca has a twin brother who lives in South Africa. He is reached by phone.

The talented individuals who voice the various sheep include Patrick Stewart, Bryan Cranston, Regina Hall, Chris O’Dowd and Bella Ramsey, among others.

As the tale unfolds, several possible murderers are introduced. Including another shepherd, Caleb, as well as the local butcher, the village shopkeeper and even the local pastor. 

Because this is a film that features charming talking sheep and contains no sex or nudity, you might be tempted to bring young kids to the movie house. Please don’t! Once the film gets rolling, they will be bored with the proceedings. 

Did I almost tear up when the story is wrapped up? Maybe just a bit. It’s a sweet, cute film. I look forward to seeing it again soon!

The Sheep Detectives is directed by Kyle Balda and written by Craig Mazin who is known for writing the HBO series Chernobyl and The Last of Us. 

Rated PG.

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After The Hunt

After The Hunt is worthy of your attention because it stars Julia Roberts. She is, to use a Ron Burgundy term, kind of a big deal. And her performance in this new film is worthy of your attention because it’s pretty darn good!

Alma (Roberts) is a philosophy professor at Yale. There’s tension in her life as she waits to find out if she will get tenure. Her husband Frederik (Michael Stuhlbarg) is supportive even though he’s aware of her catting around with fellow instructor Hank (Andrew Garfield). 

After a party at her home, grad student Maggie (Ayo Edibri from The Bear) walks home with Hank and later accuses him of sexual assault. Which puts in motion all the film’s drama. At the party, there had been a discovery that sets up a question that needs answering, lending suspense to the story. Hmmm. A mystery!

Alma’s relationships with Frederik, Hank, and friend and associate Kim (Chloe Sevigny) are examined but After The Hunt’s most interesting personal relationship is between Alma and Maggie. Their dynamic changes throughout the film… sometimes warm, sometimes not. The film touches on racial and gender issues. And on the way victims of sexual predators are treated. And, briefly, the topic of plagiarism in higher education. 

After The Hunt is more talk than action. Such movies are sometimes tedious but director Luca Guadagnino and writer Nora Garrett keep the pace moving. Audio from a metronome kicks off the movie and is used a few more times along with an often quirky music soundtrack from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. 

After The Hunt is not a “crowd pleaser” type of movie and not even a “must see.” UNLESS you are a fan of Julia Roberts and her wide-ranging body of work. She’s strong in this meaty role and, along with a good supporting cast, her work here is  among her best efforts.

After The Hunt is rated R. It clocks in at 2:19.

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