I know. I haven't been writing much lately aside from the weekly newsletter. I've been busy. But I have managed to get to a couple of current films. And I chose well. I really loved both of these pictures, although The Past is definitely the best of them.. A The Past Between this new film … Continue reading Quick Opinions on The Past and Dallas Buyers Club
Category: Drama
Drama
The Once-Great John Sayles Makes a Pretty Good Mystery in Go for Sisters
B Mystery/thriller Written and directed by John Sayles Back in the 1990s, independent filmmaker John Sayles turned out one great film after another. But he's been turning out mostly disappointments for a long time now. His latest film, Go for Sisters, didn't disappoint me, but that's only because I've lowered my expectations about this once-great … Continue reading The Once-Great John Sayles Makes a Pretty Good Mystery in Go for Sisters
Taxi Driver, Alamo Bay, and 4K Digital Projection at the PFA
Saturday night, my wife and I attended two screenings at the Pacific Film Archive. Both were parts of the series The Resolution Starts Now: 4K Restorations from Sony Pictures. And this time, unlike Thursday night's screening, the movies were actually projected in 4K. And they both looked fantastic. This was not a double feature. You … Continue reading Taxi Driver, Alamo Bay, and 4K Digital Projection at the PFA
Music, Fame, and American Insanity: My Blu-ray review of Robert Altman’s Nashville
For an all-too-brief time in the 1970s, the Hollywood studios financed and released serious art. They greenlit films without likeable heroes, clearly-defined villains, or conventional, three-act plots. They even financed Robert Altman, who did his best work during that time. And Nashville was unquestionably one of his best. It's tragic, funny, thoughtful, and filled with … Continue reading Music, Fame, and American Insanity: My Blu-ray review of Robert Altman’s Nashville
Life as we all must some day know it: My Blu-ray review of Tokyo Story
Before watching the Blu-ray Sunday night, it had been years since I'd last seen Yasujirō Ozu's 1953 masterpiece, Tokyo Story. I remember loving the film, but I wasn't ready for the emotional wallop it delivered. Perhaps my own mental state contributed to the experience--I've seen my son get married and lost two close relatives this … Continue reading Life as we all must some day know it: My Blu-ray review of Tokyo Story
No Capital in the Bay Area
I got an email this morning with the subject "CAPITAL Has Been CANCELLED." "Wow!" I thought. Maybe Obama really is a socialist. Of course, it was about Costa-Gavras' latest film, Capital. Apparently the film's American distributor decided against releasing it in the Bay Area. That seems pretty weird to me. I can't imagine a better … Continue reading No Capital in the Bay Area
My Thoughts on Fargo
Saturday night, my wife and I showed Fargo to another couple. About half an hour in, immediately after the first set of grisly murders, one of our guests asked "Why are we watching this?" After it was over, she asked us why we thought it was a great film. I never thought I'd have to … Continue reading My Thoughts on Fargo
Fanciful Thriller About Israeli-Palestinian Bonding: My Review of Zaytoun
C+ Heartwarming wartime thriller Written by Nader Rizq Directed by Eran Riklis Think Hell in the Pacific. Two soldiers on opposing sides must work together to survive. And in doing so, they find each other's humanity. Except that this time, one of the soldiers is a pre-teen, and the world they're trying to escape from … Continue reading Fanciful Thriller About Israeli-Palestinian Bonding: My Review of Zaytoun
Steve McQueen and 12 Years a Slave
I attended the Mill Valley Film Festival screening of 12 Years a Slave Friday night. Absolutely amazing. True story: In 1841, Con artists kidnapped Solomon Northup--a free-born African American living in upstate New York--and sold him into slavery down south. Movie: This film shows us the horrors of slavery through the eyes of an educated … Continue reading Steve McQueen and 12 Years a Slave
Mill Valley Film Festival Report: Costa-Gavras Tribute
Greek/French filmmaker Costa-Gavras has been making slick, exciting political films since the 1960s. His works have attacked Fascism, Communism, American foreign policy, and a Pope. Friday night, he stepped up onto the stage at the Rafael's downstairs auditorium to discuss his career and screen his latest film. But he didn't step up on time. The … Continue reading Mill Valley Film Festival Report: Costa-Gavras Tribute
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