C- I should be the perfect audience for Peter Rodger’s documentary. I’m curious and fascinated by comparative religions, and with how every faith creates both humanists and fundamentalists--including atheism. So it’s with considerable disappointment that I have to report that I didn’t care for Oh My God? It has its interesting moments--enough to keep it … Continue reading Oh My God?
Category: Reviews
Precious
A Few film-going experiences match this one for intensity. And it’s not the intensity of a good horror film or thriller (although it’s more horrible and suspenseful than most of them). This is the intensity of of life at its most relentlessly depressing and hopeless. And yet, Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, … Continue reading Precious
Skin
A- Biographical drama Written by Helen Crawley Directed by Anthony Fabian Race can be a very difficult thing to define; especially for bureaucrats working for a government where race determines everything. Sandra Laing (an actual, living person, played here by Sophie Okonedo) was born to white parents in South Africa in 1955, but by all … Continue reading Skin
Soul Power
Music Documentary Directed by Jeffrey Levy-Hinte In 1974, many of the greatest African and African-American musicians alive came together in Zaire for a big all-star concert attached to the legendary Muhammad Ali/George Foreman fight. The fight was delayed, but the concert went on as scheduled. But the film version of the Zaire ‘74 concert was … Continue reading Soul Power
Star Trek
Science Fiction I never was a Trekkie (or a Trekker), but I enjoyed the original show for some years, and became a big fan of The Next Generation and some of the first movies (especially II, III, and IV--which I always thought of as a trilogy). That put me in a good place to enjoy … Continue reading Star Trek
Adoration
A Drama Written and Directed by Atom Egoyan Atom Egoyan makes small films about people grieving the dead and relearning how to relate to the living, yet such works as Exotica and The Sweet Hereafter never feel like simple chamber pieces. Perhaps its the open, majestic, yet cold Canadian landscape, or maybe the original ways … Continue reading Adoration
Unmade Beds
When I saw Unmade Beds at the 2009 San Francisco International Film Festival, I was under the impression that it would eventually receive a theatrical release. I therefore wrote, and held, this review. The release never materialized, but the movie is available on Netflix, so I’m posting the review, anyway. A- Youth drama Written and … Continue reading Unmade Beds
Lemon Tree
A Drama Written by Suha Araf and Eran Riklis Directed by Eran Riklis A lifetime of movie-going leads to expectations. We watch two people onscreen begin to fall in love despite society's disapproval, and we expect triumph or tragedy. Decent people on opposites sides of a conflict will eventually meet and have a heart-to-heart talk. … Continue reading Lemon Tree
Battle For Terra
Animated Family Film Written by Evan Spiliotopoulos Directed by Aristomenis Tsirbas It's a wonder no one thought of this before: an alien invasion movie where we are the alien invaders. (Well, someone might have thought of it before, but I don't know about it.) The gentle creatures of an apparently unnamed planet (the invaders name … Continue reading Battle For Terra
SFIFF Report: Sunday
I finally got to the San Francisco International Film Festival yesterday. I saw three movies there. One major concern--not surprising considering the economy: The place wasn't as crowded as in past years. The first film I saw played to a near-empty house, and there was no waiting at the concession stand. Here's what I saw: … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Sunday
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