Dem Strategy On Trump Cabinet Picks, Holiday Impact On Water Quality, Best Movies Of 2016

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President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks to date seem at odds with his campaign themes and messages. A political analyst shares how Democrats may try to use confirmation hearings to point out the inconsistencies. Everyday water usage came put a strain on water systems. We find out how to lessen the impact. And a film critic joins us to discuss the movies that stood out this year, and we ask for your favorites.

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  • The Best Movies Of 2016

    We recap some of the top movies of 2016 with film critic Reggie Ponder, including Golden Globe best picture nominee Moonlight, Hacksaw Ridge, and more! We also ask for your favorite movies from the past year.

  • Critic Shares His Picks For The Best Movies Of 2016

    The holidays are a great time for movie fans, movie critic Reggie Ponder says, but it’s not just these last few weeks of the year that are – all of 2016 stood out as being a solid year for movies.

    “I think it’s a really good year,” Ponder said. “I think the box office actually shows that. But I also think that the excitement that people have about certain movies shows that as well.”

    One movie Ponder recommends is “Manchester by the Sea,” for which actor Casey Affleck received a Golden Globe nomination. While it’s a powerful movie – about an uncle forced to care for his nephew after the teen’s father dies – with good acting, viewers shouldn’t expect to feel any affection for the main characters, Ponder said.

    “I didn’t like the characters at all. And when you do a movie like this, you have to do something I think that makes you have empathy for the characters or hate them enough that you love to watch them,” he said. “And this is an outstanding movie, but for my taste, I just didn’t like the characters. Those two fighting all the time just didn’t work for me, even though the movie is a good movie and I recommend people to check it out.”

    Ponder thought that there were several good performances this year, including by Jessica Chastain in “Miss Sloane” and Amy Adams in “Arrival.” But for him, they are all eclipsed by another actor.

    “I can’t even talk about any of these women, because Natalie Portman will win these awards. She will win for ‘Jackie,’ hands down. She is fantastic,” Ponder gushed. “If you want to get a glimpse of what Jackie O. looks like, what Jackie O. felt like, what was in her mind as she sat in the car with JFK. This is the movie. It is really good, and she carries it. Without her, there is no movie.”

    Ponder added that for him, this is Portman’s breakout role. He’s always thought she was good, but she wasn’t someone he would make a point of seeing.

    “I don’t sit at home thinking, ‘Ah, let me run and see a Natalie Portman film.’ She’s not one of those people for me. But this performance? Fantastic,” Ponder said.

    Even in a year with many hit movies, one stands out for Ponder.

    “The top of my list is “Moonlight.” This movie is absolutely fantastic and people should go and see it,” Ponder said of the coming-of-age movie following the life of a gay African-American man as he struggles with self-identity and growing up in a rough Miami neighborhood.

    Ponder finds the themes of dealing with identity and feeling like an outsider compelling. He was also impressed by the directing and acting, calling the performances “riveting.”

    “Your eyes will be glued to the screen on this one,” Ponder said.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Veronica Rueckert Host
  • Haleema Shah Producer
  • Veronica Rueckert Producer
  • Amanda Magnus Producer
  • Shirley Anne Warshaw Guest
  • Todd R. Miller Guest
  • Reggie Ponder Guest

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