B+ Religious documentary Directed by Vikram Gandhi Can a religious hoax improve people's lives? That wasn't the question New Jersey-born Vikram Gandhi planned to answer in his autobiographical documentary, but it soon became the central thesis of his story. And, at least if we take Gandhi's version of events at face value, the answer is … Continue reading Kumaré
Samsara
A Documentary Directed by Ron Fricke How do you describe a feature-length, non-fiction motion picture without a story or words? How do you discuss something that works entirely on a sensory, emotional level, and yet still has a lot to say? Let me start with this: I sat, enraptured, throughout Samsara's entire 102 minutes, my … Continue reading Samsara
Leonard Maltin’s 2013 Movie Guide
Is this book even necessary? That's the question I wanted to answer when I agreed to accept a review copy of Leonard Maltin's 2013 Movie Guide: The Modern Era. Once an indispensible reference for every cinephile, Maltin's annual reference seems quant today. After all, if there's anything that the Internet can do better than paper, … Continue reading Leonard Maltin’s 2013 Movie Guide
What’s Screening: August 31 – September 6
The United Film Festival runs throughout the week at the Roxie. Not much to discuss this week. A- Doctor Zhivago, Kabuki & various CineMark Theaters, Thursday. Not quite as good as Lawrence of Arabia, David Lean’s follow-up still packs a reasonably big wallop. But then, I'm a sucker for epics about ordinary people trying to … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 31 – September 6
Side by Side: New Documentary Examines Cinema’s Digital Revolution
C+ Documentary Written and Directed by Christopher Kenneally How do today's leading filmmakers feel about the seemingly inevitable transition from a photochemical, film-based cinema to a digital one? Short answer: Many have enthusiastically embraced digital cinema, and the rest accept that physical film's days are numbered. But film still has some clear advantages. For most … Continue reading Side by Side: New Documentary Examines Cinema’s Digital Revolution
On David Pogue, Piracy, and the Call for Making Movies Available Online Immediately
Last week, tech journalist David Pogue wrote a piece for the Scientific American calling for the Hollywood studios and the MPAA to make new movies available for streaming and downloads as soon as they open in theaters.Streaming movies offers instant gratification: no waiting, no driving—plus great portability: you can watch on gadgets too small for … Continue reading On David Pogue, Piracy, and the Call for Making Movies Available Online Immediately
When You Least Expect It: The Return of 70mm
A funny thing happened on the way to a fully-digital cinema. At least two major filmmakers are returning to a beautiful, large film format of yesteryear. But you may not be able to see either of these films as they were meant to be seen. Pretty much everyone agrees that film is dying as a … Continue reading When You Least Expect It: The Return of 70mm
What’s Screening: August 24 – 30
No festivals this week. B Alps, Roxie, opens Friday for one-week run. I’m not exactly sure what to make of Alps. It has just enough continuity to make you try and follow the story, but there’s no story to follow. Many of the characters (primarily the female ones) seem sympathetic, yet their motivations and actions … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 24 – 30
My Thoughts on The Passion of the Christ
I recently satisfied eight years of curiosity and watched Mel Gibson's controversial religious epic, The Passion of the Christ. I missed it in theaters back in '04 because I didn't want Gibson to get any of my money. (Although if I had been writing this blog at the time, I probably would have seen it.) … Continue reading My Thoughts on The Passion of the Christ
Alps
B Indescribable Written by Giorgos Lanthimos and Efthymis Filippou Directed by Giorgos Lanthimos I'm not exactly sure what to make of Alps. It has just enough continuity to make you try and follow the story, but there's no story to follow. Many of the characters (primarily the female ones) seem sympathetic, yet their motivations and … Continue reading Alps
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