A- Historical drama Written by Léonie-Claire Breinersdorfer and Fred Breinersdorfer Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel This spellbinding and sometimes gruesome story about Nazi Germany feels very relevant today. It's a must see, even though it will probably turn your stomach. No matter how much you like 13 Minutes, you probably won't want to see it twice. … Continue reading 13 Minutes: The difference between life and death in Nazi Germany
Category: Drama
Drama
Maudie: Beautiful biopic of a painter
A biopic Written by Sherry White Directed by Aisling Walsh I went into this beautiful story without knowing that it was based on the life of a real person. I came out wanting to know more about Maude Lewis, a painter of moderate renown from Nova Scotia. Her paintings are colorful, simple, and cheerful. She … Continue reading Maudie: Beautiful biopic of a painter
Summertime: Lesbian love in 1971
A- Romantic drama Written by Catherine Corsini and Laurette Polmanss Directed by Catherine Corsini Note: I wrote this review almost a year ago, shortly before the film's screening at the 2016 Frameline festival. I assumed that it would receive an American theatrical release. It didn't. I just discovered that the movie is available on several … Continue reading Summertime: Lesbian love in 1971
The Student teaches us about religious fascism
A Drama Written and directed by Kirill Serebrennikov One determined student can manipulate his schoolmates, teachers, and the administration, disrupting an entire high school. All he needs is a fanatical belief and the will to do anything to achieve his goals. Kirill Serebrennikov's powerful drama, The Student, shows exactly how it can be done. It's … Continue reading The Student teaches us about religious fascism
A Clichéd Drama & a Moving Documentary: My SFFilm Thursday
Here's what I saw Thursday at the San Francisco International Film Festival: The Hero I caught this Sam Elliott vehicle at a matinee at the Alamo Drafthouse New Mission. I felt it was about time that someone built a movie around Elliott. Now someone needs to make a good one. My problem with The Hero … Continue reading A Clichéd Drama & a Moving Documentary: My SFFilm Thursday
Medium Cool and Hippy Modernism
I revisited Haskell Wexler's 1969 Medium Cool Tuesday night. The first time I saw it, I had to lie about my age to get into the X-rated film. I was 15, and I thought it was fantastic. Almost 50 years later, it looks more like an occasionally brilliant mess. Medium Cool will screen this weekend … Continue reading Medium Cool and Hippy Modernism
The Comedian
B- Drama Written by Art Linson, Jeffrey Ross, Richard LaGravenese, and Lewis Friedman; from a story by Art Linson Directed by Taylor Hackford When a film's title tells you that the main character (or characters) generate laughs for a living, you know you're in for a serious drama. But not too serious. Just as a … Continue reading The Comedian
