B+ Documentary Directed by Tony Zierra Like many great artists, Stanley Kubrick was an obsessive perfectionist. You already know that. What you probably don't know was that he had an equally obsessive assistant - a man who gave up a promising acting career to stand in the shadows, on call 24/7, to help Kubrick create … Continue reading Filmworker: Obsessed with the Obsessed
Category: Reviews
Three Identical Strangers and their strange, entwined lives
A Documentary Directed by Tim Wardle As I write this review (in April), Three Identical Strangers is the best new documentary I've yet seen this year. In 1980, 19-year-old Robert Shafran, Edward Galland, and David Kellman met each other and discovered they were identical triplets, separated at birth. Even their adopted parents didn't know that … Continue reading Three Identical Strangers and their strange, entwined lives
Love & Bananas (but mostly elephants)
B+ Documentary Directed by Ashley Bell The title Love & Bananas, along with the photos used to promote this documentary (including the ones below), suggest a joyful movie about the loving relationship between humans and elephants. And yes, there is a good deal of upbeat, lovable footage about these giant land mammals. But that's only … Continue reading Love & Bananas (but mostly elephants)
RBG: The life and importance of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
A- Documentary Directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen Make no mistake, there's nothing objective about Betsy West and Julie Cohen's biographic documentary about the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. They clearly believe that the Supreme Court's progressive hero is a rock star, a superhero, and a major bulwark protecting American democracy. I happen to … Continue reading RBG: The life and importance of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The Rider must discover his own limitations in this excellent film
A Western drama Written & directed by Chloé Zhao When we first meet Brady (Brady Jandreau), he appears to be doing brain surgery on himself. Not quite, but he's removing massive bandages and even metal staples from his head. You get the very strong feeling that he shouldn't be doing this on his own. Brady, … Continue reading The Rider must discover his own limitations in this excellent film
1945: When the Jews returned to town
A Period drama Written by ván Angelusz , Péter Reich, and Ferenc Török Directed by Ferenc Török It's August, 1945. The war in Europe ended scarcely three months ago. In a small Hungarian town, two Orthodox Jews get off the train. Who are they and what are they doing there? 1945 isn't about these two Jews. … Continue reading 1945: When the Jews returned to town
Kodachrome focuses on blurred relationship
A- Road movie Written by Jonathan Tropper, from an article by A.G. Sulzberger Directed by Mark Raso No, this picture isn't about analog vs. digital photography. It's a road movie, and a drama about a father and son reconnecting after a long and strained absence. Road movies feel loose, but they follow a strict story … Continue reading Kodachrome focuses on blurred relationship
Massive fraud and no one gets punished in The China Hustle
B+ Documentary Directed by Jed Rothstein As the stock market began to tank in 2008, a group of would-be heroes appeared on the horizon: some very exciting, new Chinese companies that looked like excellent investments. Well, why not? The theoretically Communist country is the largest market in the world, and one seemingly drunk on capitalism. … Continue reading Massive fraud and no one gets punished in The China Hustle
California and Japan clash in Oh Lucy!
A- Comedic drama Written by Atsuko Hirayanagi, from the short film by Boris Frumin and Atsuko Hirayanagi Directed by Atsuko Hirayanagi In Tokyo, a middle-aged woman lives a life of quiet desperation. Then she attends a class in American English and finds herself attracted to her outgoing and handsome teacher. When the teacher suddenly and … Continue reading California and Japan clash in Oh Lucy!
Sacred: Religion from birth to death
B+ Documentary Directed by Thomas Lennon How and why do people practice their religions? And how do these religions effect their followers' lives? Thomas Lennon sent some 40 camera crews all over the world to find out. There are no great revelations in this documentary, but it creates a dream-like, meditative state, while allowing you … Continue reading Sacred: Religion from birth to death
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