The Divine Order: Women’s suffrage finally comes to small-town Switzerland

November 22, 2017November 14, 2017 ~ Lincoln Spector

B+ Historical drama Written and directed by Petra Biondina Volpe Switzerland fought women's suffrage longer than other western democracies. Women didn't get to vote in that tiny country until 1971, and they had to wait another twenty years before they could vote in all elections. This feel-good drama about that struggle places the fight not … Continue reading The Divine Order: Women’s suffrage finally comes to small-town Switzerland

Bill Nye: The science guy tries to save the world

November 15, 2017October 18, 2017 ~ Lincoln Spector

A- Biographic and environmental documentary Directed by David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg You probably already know about Bill Nye. He's the silly-looking dude with the bowtie who talks about science and often appears with Neil DeGrasse Tyson. In the 1990s, he had his own children's show: Bill Nye the Science Guy. The sympathetic documentary, Bill … Continue reading Bill Nye: The science guy tries to save the world

Gay romance in God’s Own Country

November 9, 2017November 3, 2017 ~ Lincoln Spector

A- Drama Written and directed by Francis Lee A young man living a miserable existence finds love and happiness, if he can hold onto them - and hold onto the lover who opens up his world. Johnny (Josh O'Connor) works hard on his family's sheep farm in a very rural piece of northern England. His … Continue reading Gay romance in God’s Own Country

Lady Bird: Coming of Age in Sacramento

November 8, 2017October 18, 2017 ~ Lincoln Spector

A- Coming-of-age comedy Written and directed by Greta Gerwig If you've followed Greta Gerwig's career as an actress and a screenwriter, you wouldn't be surprised at the quality of her solo directorial debut. In Lady Bird, she examines a very explosive mother/daughter relationship, explores the social dynamics of a Catholic high school, and manages to … Continue reading Lady Bird: Coming of Age in Sacramento

Rose Marie tells her story in Wait for Your Laugh

November 7, 2017November 2, 2017 ~ Lincoln Spector

B Show business documentary Directed by Jason Wise If you recognize the singer and comedian Rose Marie, it's probably from The Dick Van Dyke Show. She played Sally, the only woman on the writing staff. (And if you haven't seen The Dick Van Dyke Show, watch a few episodes. It's worth it.) A musical prodigy … Continue reading Rose Marie tells her story in Wait for Your Laugh

Seduced by Mrs. Robinson: How The Graduate Changed Everything

October 30, 2017October 30, 2017 ~ Lincoln Spector

Mike Nichols, Buck Henry, and everyone else involved in The Graduate knew that they were making more than just another romantic comedy. But they didn't know that they were capturing the zeitgeist of their times, creating a cornerstone of film history, and producing one of the biggest box office hits of the decade. Beverly Gray, … Continue reading Seduced by Mrs. Robinson: How The Graduate Changed Everything

Jane: Living with the Chimps

October 26, 2017October 24, 2017 ~ Lincoln Spector

B Documentary Directed by Brett Morgen You probably already know about chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall. In 1960, without a college degree and only in her mid-20s, she went to Africa to study our closest evolutionary cousins. What she discovered astounded the world. Brett Morgen's new documentary, simply titled Jane, allows Goodall to tell her own … Continue reading Jane: Living with the Chimps

Rat Film: War Between the Species

October 25, 2017October 25, 2017 ~ Lincoln Spector

C+ documentary Directed by Theo Anthony Human beings and rats have lived together, seldom harmoniously, since the invention of agriculture. Theo Anthony's documentary examines the eternal battle, focusing on one particular battleground: Baltimore. But it doesn't go very deep into the antagonist relationship. A film like this needs multiple interesting and knowledgeable characters. Rat Film … Continue reading Rat Film: War Between the Species