B- Erotic noir Written by Seo-Kyung Chung and Chan-wook Park, from the novel Fingersmith by Sarah Waters Directed by Chan-wook Park Some films really do need to run well over two hours; others don't. The Handmaiden falls into the latter category. At 80 or 90 minutes, this would have been a really fun movie. But at … Continue reading The Handmaiden: Too long for its own good
Category: Reviews
Moonlight shines new light on the inner city
A Drama Written by Tarell Alvin McCraney; based on his play Directed by Barry Jenkins Moonlight is the best new American film I've seen this year. With the advantages of a white skin, it's easy to assume certain stereotypes of those on the margins--especially African Americans living in what is now called the inner city. Writer Tarell … Continue reading Moonlight shines new light on the inner city
A Man Called Ove returns to community
A- Comic drama Written by Hannes Holm, from a novel by Fredrik Backman Directed by Hannes Holm Even the most warn-out, commercial plots can work when the filmmakers do something original with them. And that's very much the case with this dramatic comedy from Sweden. Consider the cliché of the crotchety old man who hates everybody, … Continue reading A Man Called Ove returns to community
The Lovers and The Despot
B- Documentary Directed by Rob Cannan and Ross Adam I don't think you could find a stranger story in the history of cinema. Shin Sang-ok was one of South Korea's top filmmakers--a respected director married to movie star Choi Eun-hee. They disappeared in 1978, and five years later turned up making movies in North Korea. … Continue reading The Lovers and The Despot
For the Love of Spock (and Leonard Nimoy)
B+ Documentary Directed by Adam Nimoy When Leonard Nimoy died earlier this year, he was working with his son Adam on a documentary about the character that made the elder Nimoy famous--Star Trek's Mr. Spock. After his father's death, Adam changed his mind and made the film about both Spock and the actor who played him. … Continue reading For the Love of Spock (and Leonard Nimoy)
Love, romance, and a whole lot of problems bubble up in The Intervention
B+ Comedy-drama, but mostly drama Written and directed by Clea DuVall All romantic relationships have problems, and those problems provide fodder for this very funny relationship drama (or maybe it's a very serious comedy). But according to Annie (Melanie Lynskey), only one couple is supposed to have problems here, and everyone else is supposed to … Continue reading Love, romance, and a whole lot of problems bubble up in The Intervention
Before the White House: My review of Southside with You
C Romantic meander Written and directed by Richard Tanne The movie starts like a commercial. The camera moves smoothly over an impossibly clean residential street filled with smiling people. Upbeat, happy music plays over the opening credits. The message is clear: This is going to be a feel-good movie about two people falling in love. … Continue reading Before the White House: My review of Southside with You
Lo and Behold! Werner Herzog brings us the Internet
B Documentary Directed by Werner Herzog Even those of us who grew up, married, and had kids before dial-up modems were common now take the Internet for granted. We socialize, work, play, read, find restaurants, and enjoy movies and music through this decentralized network. Werner Herzog tries--and to some extent succeeds--in providing an overview of the … Continue reading Lo and Behold! Werner Herzog brings us the Internet
Coming of age in a sad, sad world in James Schamus’ touching Indignation
A Coming of age drama Written and directed by James Schamus From the novel by Philip Roth Most coming of age movies leave you feeling optimistic. No matter what horrible things happen to the protagonist, you know that everything will come out alright. Not this time. In James Schamus' directorial debut, you slowly begin to … Continue reading Coming of age in a sad, sad world in James Schamus’ touching Indignation
The Phantom Boy doesn’t quite come together
C+ Animated family-oriented fantasy crime thriller Written by Alain Gagnol Directed by Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli Eleven-year-old Leo is very sick. He's in the hospital, will be for months, and he may not survive. But he has a superpower. His spirit can leave his body, fly through walls, and see and hear everything around … Continue reading The Phantom Boy doesn’t quite come together
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