Month: December 2022

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

First, I want to give a shout out to the original Pinocchio author, Carlo Collodi, a fine Sagittarian born on November 24th and who died at 63 back in 1890. With that acknowledgement out of the way, let me say I was pumping the brakes during the first ten minutes of GdT’s Pinocchio, thinking aw… Continue reading Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

Hand her the Oscar: Olivia Coleman in Empire of Lights

I’ve spoken out loud to a movie screen twice this year which is the signature of a great film. First it was Bones and All and Mark Rylance’s unbelievable performance and sympathetic cannibal (yes you read that right and THAT’S what makes this incredible acting). The second movie screen exclamation was last night in total… Continue reading Hand her the Oscar: Olivia Coleman in Empire of Lights

Avatar: The Way of Water…Ummmm, Yeh about that…

I didn’t hate it, let’s start with that (laugh emoji). Visually stunning, but not even close to Dune, Avatar The Way of Water is just a so so story, but exceptionally great for kids for the positive messages. A member of the cast is analogous to this year’s Batman where I go…Colin Farrel was The… Continue reading Avatar: The Way of Water…Ummmm, Yeh about that…

I Want You Back: Lovable Actors=Taking the Ride

I Want You Back (Directed by Jason Orley of Big Time Adolescence and Pete Davidson stand up specials) is a super lovable rom-com. I’m not into chick flicks per se, but give me Jenny Slate and Charlie Day and how can a person dislike them, it’d be like hating puppies or kittens. What helps here… Continue reading I Want You Back: Lovable Actors=Taking the Ride

“Sr.”, a Moving Tribute to Robert Downey

Chris Smith directed Sr. and is also known for his Tiger King series (to forever be remembered along with The Last Dance/Covid Beginnings sanity saving spectaculars). Considering how well he handled Sr., I am super excited about his Gene Wilder documentary. Sr. could not have been easy to direct as Sr. showed his true creative… Continue reading “Sr.”, a Moving Tribute to Robert Downey

Emily the (Redundant) Criminal

Let me start with positives, Emily the Criminal (written and directed by John Patton Ford) is worth watching especially if you’re with a person hooked on action and suspense. Crazy the the Golden Globes have this first frenetic feature up against the quiet contemplative Aftersun. It’s like let’s have a vote on apples vs. oranges,… Continue reading Emily the (Redundant) Criminal

Johnny Cash: An American Redemption Icon

I enjoyed the documentary ‘Johnny Cash: An American Redemption Icon’ directed and I assume also written by Ben Smallbone. I enjoyed the inspirational story about Johnny’s fall into amphetamine and alcohol abuse and his rise to prison concerts and his partnership with Billy Graham. Johnny was fearless in honesty and faith. The proselytizing by the… Continue reading Johnny Cash: An American Redemption Icon

Aftersun: Blinded By the Sights

Ok, I’m still trying to grasp the multiple awards for which Aftersun has won and been nominated. While story telling gurus advise writers to show don’t tell, Charlotte Wells may have taken this too far. I appreciate avant garde cinematography (Gregory Oke), but unless you give the audience a little more context, we’re more mystified… Continue reading Aftersun: Blinded By the Sights

Kicking and Screaming: Catherine Called Birdy

I dragged myself through the first third of Lena Dunham’s Independent Spirit Award nominated Screenplay Catherine Called Birdy. I loved Girls up until the last season and have either loved or hated Dunham’s antics over the years. Odd upbringings make for creative geniuses (Safdies, Robert Downey Jr) and Dunham (psychiatrist and artists as parents) is… Continue reading Kicking and Screaming: Catherine Called Birdy