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Photo courtesy Elevation Pictures

Our City Tonight - Season’s Greetings

By Jim Gordon and Leeta Liepins

Published 2:16 PST, Wed December 17, 2025

SPOTLIGHT ON GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON VIEWING

THE VIEW #1 – MARTY SUPREME

Timothee Chalamet, who delivered a great performance as Bob Dylan in last year’s A Complete Unknown, is back with another great performance, this one loosely based on, and inspired by, 1950’s table tennis prodigy, Marty Reisner.In the film, the character is known as Marty Mauser. Mauser’s sole focus – when he’s not scheming or scamming to raise money for expenses - is to become the world champion in table tennis. Fighting for respect for himself, and the sport which, at the time, was only really popular in a handful of countries like Japan, Mauser makes a deal anywhere, anytime and with anyone - while also staying one step ahead of angry family members, a woman who loves him, and the local police. Chalamet, who has proven his talents in a number of demanding roles at a young age, fills his portrayal of Marty Mauser with so much cringe-worthy, obnoxious, and ingratiating behaviour, it is tough to watch at times. But the performance is still top notch and worthy of an Oscar nomination. The strong supporting cast also deserves mention including several actors we’ve not seen in a while: Gwyneth Paltrow and Fran Drescher. Also part of the cast is Canadian businessman and TV personality, Kevin O’Leary, who delivers a surprisingly strong performance as Paltrow’s successful husband and possible patron to Mauser’s mission. Look for Marty Supreme in theatres Dec 25^th. www.elevationpictures.com

THE VIEW #2 – JAY KELLY

George Clooney has been acting, writing, directing and producing movies for over 30 years, which includes an Oscar. Before that, a dozen years in a list of TV shows until the hospital drama, ER, made him a star in 1994. Now comes his latest film called Jay Kelly, which has been described as a "coming-of-age story about adults". Directed and Co-Written by the Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale, Barbie, Talented Mr. Fox), the story introduces us to successful actor and movie star, Jay Kelly, just after he’s just completed his latest film. He’s dealing with that emptiness, but also grieving the loss of the director/mentor who made him a star. He’d also like to spend some time with his youngest daughter but she’s headed to Europe for the summer. Realizing a lifetime achievement award from an Italian film festival might be the opportunity to see his daughter, Kelly drags his entire “team” on a last minute trip to Europe. That team is made up of a group of spectacular actors including Laura Dern, Emily Mortimer (who Co-Wrote the script), and Adam Sandler, who delivers a wonderfully sweet performance as Kelly’s manager. As for Clooney portraying Jay Kelly, the professional similarities can’t be ignored. The personal ones, who can know, though it does have a feel to it like when actors comedically portray themselves in shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm. That aside, George Clooney does delivers a deep and nuanced performance that he may not have been able to deliver 10 years ago. This is the perfect time for him to play this character who is the same age. Throughout the film, Jay Kelly is examining his life, the decisions he’s made as well as the sacrifices made, something I’m sure Clooney has done as well. Look for Jay Kelly on Netflix. www.netflix.com

THE VIEW #3 – ONE MORE SHOT

We must admit, we love time travel films. Though there is always flaws (big or small) that you have to ignore, it is a genre that has never worn on us – or fans from around the world. One of the appeals is the idea of “what if”. What if we could go back in time and change something or someone. That’s the premise for the new comedy, One More Shot, which comes to us from Australia. The setting is a house party on Dec 31st, 1999, and a small group of friends are gathering to send off the 2nd millennium and hopefully not deal with Y2K (remember that fear?). One of those friends is Minnie, a mid-30’s an anesthesiologist, who discovers that her ex-fiancée is back in town. Her hopes are high for a reunion and possible second chance. Wanting to calm her nerves after reuniting with her ex at the party, she takes a sip from a mysterious 10-year-old bottle of tequila, and suddenly she’s back in time – only a handful of minutes – but enough to correct any mistakes and miscues from that night. What Minnie discovers, though, is that going back and correcting moments from the night aren’t as easy as she first thinks. Emily Browning, who has a long resume of film and TV work, is wonderful as Minnie, funny and buffoonish at times, but also sad and wistful as she reflects on life choices and how fate has led her to where she is on the last day of 1999. One More Shot is available now for home viewing. www.vortexpix.com