B Espionage drama Written by Gregory Bernstein, Sara Bernstein, and Gavin Hood, from the book The Spy Who Tried to Stop a War, by Marcia Mitchell and Thomas Mitchell Directed by Dave Simon Doing the right, but illegal thing usually results in some sort of punishment. But the suffering isn't likely to be too bad … Continue reading Official Secrets that everyone should know
Category: Reviews
The Miracle of the Fiddler on Broadway & Elsewhere
A- Showbiz documentary Directed by Max Lewcowicz The documentary Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles argues that 1964's Broadway sensation, Fiddler on the Roof, is more than just a musical. It suggests that, by following three sisters who chose their own husbands rather than accepting their father's choices, it's a feminist play well ahead of its time. … Continue reading The Miracle of the Fiddler on Broadway & Elsewhere
Aquarela: The many shapes of water
A (if you see it in the right theater) visual documentaryDirected by Victor Kossakovsky This visually stunning documentary doesn't tell us much about water. But it sure shows us a lot. And what we see is astounding, beautiful, and awesome. The filmmakers show us the familiar H2O in its most beautiful, extreme, and dangerous forms. … Continue reading Aquarela: The many shapes of water
Life becomes complicated After the Wedding
A drama Written & directed by Bart Freundlich Two of our greatest American actresses clash and make beautiful drama together in After the Wedding. What else can you expect when you put Michelle Williams and Julianne Moore in the same movie. Adding Billy Crudup to the mix makes it better yet. Writer/director Bart Freundlich brings … Continue reading Life becomes complicated After the Wedding
Jirga: A long wait for the good stuff
D+ Post war drama Written and directed by Benjamin Gilmour The final third of this Australian film, set and shot in Afghanistan, just may bring tears to your eyes. But you'll have to sit through the dull and unbelievable other two thirds first. Australian war veteran Mike (Sam Smith), burdened with guilt, goes back to … Continue reading Jirga: A long wait for the good stuff
Soap opera in the holy land with Tel Aviv On Fire
B+ Comedy Written by Dan Kleinman & Sameh Zoabi Directed by Sameh Zoabi The plot of this Israeli/Palestinian comedy is entirely farcical, but the actors play it straight. Therefore, you can believe in the main character and root for him, despite the absurd situation. None of this sacrifices the laughs. That main character, the young … Continue reading Soap opera in the holy land with Tel Aviv On Fire
Red Cow: Growing up among the fanatics
A- Coming of age drama Written & directed by Tsivia Barkai Note: I saw this excellent Israeli film before it was screened at the 2018 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. I sat on this review for over a year, waiting when it would be available in Bay Area theaters. That has not yet happened, but I … Continue reading Red Cow: Growing up among the fanatics
Say hello to The Farewell
B+ Dramatic comedy Written and directed by Lulu Wang Chinese and Chinese Americans don't always see eye-to-eye. These generational clashes provide a lot of the laughs in The Farewell. But writer/director Lulu Wang keeps the existential pain of mortality always in the foreground, reminding us that something very serious is happening along with the humor. … Continue reading Say hello to The Farewell
Be Natural: The Untold Story Of Alice Guy-Blaché
A Cinema history documentary Directed by Pamela B. Green When I review a biographical documentary, I look for more than an interesting life conventionally told. I want a new way to tell the story, with innovations that help rather than distract. Pamela B. Green does all that in this telling of the first woman film … Continue reading Be Natural: The Untold Story Of Alice Guy-Blaché
The Waldheim Waltz dances with two left feet
C Documentary Directed by Ruth Beckermann I saw this documentary before its screening in last year's San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. I then wrote this review, but held it back, waiting until the film had a theatrical run in the Bay Area. That has not yet happened. But I have just discovered that it's streaming … Continue reading The Waldheim Waltz dances with two left feet
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