Madame: Collette & Keitel

Madame is a homework movie I watched for my upcoming talk on Mafia Mamma on April 14th at Burns Court Theater. Madame is written and directed by Amanda Sthers who also wrote Mafia Mamma. Reading her book Holy Lands (also turned into a film), I’m fully understanding her style, whimsically moving. Madame never made it… Continue reading Madame: Collette & Keitel

Famili”AIR”ty Breeds Success

Let’s face it. Affleck and Damon feel like my brothers from another mother. I’ve basically grown up with them from Mystic Pizza to Good Will Hunting to Argo and Stillwater. I love these guys even if they sometimes disappoint (J Lo & Bitcoin commercials, respectively). And of course, who isn’t in love with Jason Bateman’s… Continue reading Famili”AIR”ty Breeds Success

Certainly Never Fade Away: The Buddy Holly Story

Similarly to when I’d see my son get standing ovations at SUNY Geneseo, my Burns Court experience last night provoked me to turn around and think, “Why the heck aren’t there even more people here to witness this marvel?” Not only is the film The Buddy Holly Story a super quality film (tightly written by… Continue reading Certainly Never Fade Away: The Buddy Holly Story

Other People’s Children: Sarasota Film Festival

Other People’s Children, written and directed by Rebecca Zlotowski is the second film I saw this week that starts out wobbly like a fresh born calf, but then finally gets in the groove enough to earn a favorable review. The first third of the film was akin to constant Ra-Ra Instagram posts, a look at… Continue reading Other People’s Children: Sarasota Film Festival

Phoenix Film Festival Wrap Up

Shoot me an email if you have opinions or responses: irun2eatpizza@hotmail.com The Phoenix Film Festival centered in Scottsdale, Arizona brought me to emotional heights. While I did handwrite full reviews for each film, for now, I’ll simply rate the films I saw in reverse (countdown) order with just general opinions. Once they come to the… Continue reading Phoenix Film Festival Wrap Up

Je T’Aime Moving French Movies, But…One Fine Morning, CaVa

First, proof that French films have moved me; The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is pure magic and two much more recent that were at least a good card tricks were The Intouchables and Starbuck. Not to mention almost everything Juliette Binoche has starred in. So there. And I even love Mia Hansen-Love’s Bergmann Island. But as… Continue reading Je T’Aime Moving French Movies, But…One Fine Morning, CaVa

Argentina, 1985: If Movie Awards were Sports Contests

Perhaps we should have an alternative to the Oscars, where movies with heart and morality get awarded. I wish that for Argentina, 1985. Argentina, 1985, directed by Santiago Mitre, which he co-wrote with Mariano Llinas and Martin Mauregui, possesses so much quality that I overcame my weariness over courtroom dramas and could get over the… Continue reading Argentina, 1985: If Movie Awards were Sports Contests

To Leslie, Welcome to My Revised Top 10

See you later Aftersun…as much praise as has been heaped upon you, I wasn’t as moved as I was by the miracle of film called To Leslie, written by relative newbie Ryan Binaco (3rd film) and directed by another ‘youngin’ Michael Morris (Better Call Saul). The ensemble of actors are so genuine to their characters,… Continue reading To Leslie, Welcome to My Revised Top 10

Emily, Smothering Heights

Emily, written and directed by Golden Globe nominated actress Frances O’Connor, is an inventive tale based on the life of Emily Bronte. For a first time directorial debut, Emily is quite stunning despite its Victorian age setting. Let’s face it, first love stories have been done to death, so for O’Connor to come up with… Continue reading Emily, Smothering Heights