Evil Chinese, worse Americans, innocent bystanders, brainwashing, assassination, and party politics collide in this surprisingly timely cold-war thriller from 1962. While the suspense grows, the story attacks both Communism and McCarthyism (a recent memory with lingering effects in the early 60s). it also contains the most evil mother in the history of movies. I reviewed … Continue reading Manchurian Candidate Criterion
Month: March 2016
Melvin Van Peebles, Sweet Sweetback, and Me
I finally saw the completed version of Melvin Van Peebles' ground-breaking Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song. I didn't see it when it was in theaters partly because I was a bit too young for X-rated movies. But mostly because I had already seen a rough cut. When it hit theaters, Sweetback created a sensation. Here was … Continue reading Melvin Van Peebles, Sweet Sweetback, and Me
What’s Screening: March 4 – 10
This week's film festivals: The on-going Cinequest continues through this week and beyond. CAAMfest opens Thursday. B The Wave, Embarcadero Center, Shattuck, opens Friday A horrifically deadly tsunami crashes into a popular tourist resort in this Norwegian disaster movie. It starts strong and slow, as the geologist hero (Kristoffer Joner) tries to convince his co-workers … Continue reading What’s Screening: March 4 – 10
The Wave loses power in last act
B Disaster triller Written by John Kåre Raake and Harald Rosenløw Eeg Directed by Roar Uthaug Scandinavia created more than just democratic socialism. In recent years, it's also created some exceptional thrillers--Headhunters being the best of them. Norway's latest heart stopper almost reaches that level of frightening entertainment, but then it sags in the final stretch. … Continue reading The Wave loses power in last act
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