Jules & Golda

Although "Jules" is a sentimental movie about an alien that may remind you of "E.T.," it differs in that the human protagonists are senior citizens rather than kids. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano admire that geriatric twist to the standard storyline, and they also like Ben Kingsley's performance. Marie and Mike do voice a few quibbles about this gentle film, but, hey, they're critics. In any event, these carping commentators are much more critical of "Golda," starring Helen Mirren as Israeli leader Golda Meir. Despite a lot of prosthetic assistance, the casting does not quite work here; and what should be dramatic moments seem muted in scenes that are literally obscured by all of the cigarette smoke.