Who would you expect to direct the better Shakespeare film: Kenneth Branagh or Joss Whedon? Sounds like a stupid question. Branagh is our generation's Laurence Olivier – the man who turns the bard into flesh and blood. Whedon makes sci-fi and runs a production company called Mutant Enemy Productions. Yet Whedon's film of Much Ado About … Continue reading Much Ado About Shakespeare’s Comedy
Tag: Kenneth Branagh
Movies I’ve recently seen: L’Atalante ֍ Eating Raoul ֍ Gentlemen Prefer Blondes ֍ Death on the Nile ֍ The Bitcoin Field Guide
Another random selection of old and new movies, from nearly brilliant to worthless junk. Click a movie's title to find out where you can stream it. A- L'Atalante (1934) It's a common story, but done very well, thanks to director Jean Vigo's poetic realism. A bride tries to adjust to her new family, and they … Continue reading Movies I’ve recently seen: L’Atalante ֍ Eating Raoul ֍ Gentlemen Prefer Blondes ֍ Death on the Nile ֍ The Bitcoin Field Guide
Best picture candidates from best to worst
Here's my opinions of the ten Oscar Best Picture nominees, from really fantastic to "Did they spend money to make this thing?" You might notice that I'm giving most of these movies very good grades. That's how it should be. These are, in theory, the best films made last year. Click the name of a … Continue reading Best picture candidates from best to worst
Movies I’ve recently seen: C’mon C’mon ֍ Belfast ֍ Benedetta ֍ Stormy Weather ֍ Gentleman’s Agreement
Sorry. I accidentally sent a version of this article Sunday night. Here's the real version. As Oscar season approaches, the new movies get better. So, I started with three good, new films that may be award fodder. But I have two vintage movies worth watching. Curiously, out of five films, only one is mostly in … Continue reading Movies I’ve recently seen: C’mon C’mon ֍ Belfast ֍ Benedetta ֍ Stormy Weather ֍ Gentleman’s Agreement
All is True, but probably not
A- Drama Written by Ben Elton Directed by Kenneth Branagh First you must overcome the makeup. He doesn't look like Kenneth Branagh. He looks too much like a portrait of William Shakespeare to believe that he's human. But then he starts talking, with Branagh's voice, and you can suspend your disbelief. All is True takes … Continue reading All is True, but probably not
What’s Screening: January 12 – 18
Hitchcock thrills, Bogart on wheels, slapstick pratfalls, reefer madness, and some very classy French people light up Bay Area screens this week. But no film festivals. New films opening A- Intent to Destroy, Roxie, opens Friday The Armenian genocide of 1915-16 is to Turkey what climate change is to America; a clearly documented truth that … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 12 – 18
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Murder on the Orient Express, The Learning Tree, Finding Oscar, The Leopard Man, & Loving Vincent
Just another selection of random movies I've finally got around to seeing. A- Murder on the Orient Express (2017), Grand Lake Theatre Much better than the stagey 1974 version, and a whole lot more fun - even if it does take considerable liberties with period details and basic plausibility. Director and star Kenneth Branagh turns Hercule … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Murder on the Orient Express, The Learning Tree, Finding Oscar, The Leopard Man, & Loving Vincent
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