A- Science fiction Written and directed by Alex Garland I've learned to confront new big-screen science fiction with lowered expectations--especially when it deals with man-vs.-machine conflicts. So I went in to Ex Machina expecting to be disappointed. But the disappointments (for the most part) never came. Even the final act was intelligent and surprising--and I … Continue reading Ex Machina asks what it means to be human (my review)
Category: Reviews
French Girls in the hood in Girlhood (my review)
B+ Coming of age drama Written and directed by Céline Sciamma When we first meet Marieme (Karidja Touré), she's part of a school all-girl football team. Soon afterwards, an unseen counselor tells her that her grades aren't good enough to get her into high school. (Apparently high school has requirements in France.) she's failed the … Continue reading French Girls in the hood in Girlhood (my review)
The Wrecking Crew: The hidden heroes of rock ‘n’ roll (my review)
B Music documentary Directed by Denny Tedesco Who supplied the addictive riffs on “Da Doo Ron Ron,” "California Dreamin'," “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and the theme music for Mission: Impossible? Despite what it says on the LP sleeves, much of the inspiration came from an unsung collection of Los Angeles session musicians informally called The … Continue reading The Wrecking Crew: The hidden heroes of rock ‘n’ roll (my review)
Living is Easy with Eyes Closed: My review
C+ Road picture Written and directed by David Trueba Living is Easy with Eyes Closed is a very pleasant picture. For almost two hours, you get to hang out with three very likeable people who, in their travels together, meet other likeable (and some unlikeable) people. The scenery is lovely. But the picture doesn't get much … Continue reading Living is Easy with Eyes Closed: My review
Documentary Tearjerker: Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine
A Documentary Directed by Michele Josue I have a rule. If a film makes me cry, it deserves a high grade. If it makes me cry a lot, it gets an A. This documentary about the homophobic murder of a young gay man had me all but audibly sobbing. Do you remember Matthew Shepard? In … Continue reading Documentary Tearjerker: Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine
Magician: The life and times of Citizen Welles
B+ Documentary Directed by Chuck Workman Every cinephile has to contemplate the strange phenomenon named Orson Welles. He had conquered radio and the New York stage, and had signed a Hollywood movie contract that turned established directors green with envy, before he turned 25. His first film, Citizen Kane, has been called the "greatest film … Continue reading Magician: The life and times of Citizen Welles
Last Man on Earth
I wrote this review in 2012, expecting that the film would eventually be released theatrically. It never happened, I'm publishing the review now. To my knowledge, this Italian film isn't available with English subtitles. B Science fiction drama comedy Written and directed by Gian Alfonso Pacinotti From a graphic novel by Giacomo Monti The first two … Continue reading Last Man on Earth
Divorce Israeli Style. Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem
A Courtroom drama Written and directed by Ronit Elkabetz, Shlomi Elkabetz Viviane Amsalem moved out of her husband's home years ago. But her remote and stubborn husband won't give her a divorce. The resulting court case spans years in this chamber drama from Israel. The filmmakers chose a simple, direct, inexpensive, and very effective way … Continue reading Divorce Israeli Style. Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem
Revisiting Kevin Brownlow’s The Parade’s Gone By
Anyone who cares about silent films has to read Kevin Brownlow's mammoth oral history survey, The Parade's Gone By. Not a history book in the usual sense, it describes early Hollywood primarily through the recollections of people who were there. Buster Keaton, Mary Pickford, Louise Brooks, and William Wellman were among the many filmmakers who … Continue reading Revisiting Kevin Brownlow’s The Parade’s Gone By
Undead comedy should have died sooner: What We Do in the Shadows
B- Mockumentary Written and directed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi This vampire mockumentary from New Zealand feels a bit like an article in The Onion or The Borowitz Report. The headline and the first couple of paragraphs are very funny. But as you go deeper into it, you experience longer waits between laughs. The … Continue reading Undead comedy should have died sooner: What We Do in the Shadows
Bayflicks 