Summer of Soul: Return to Innocence Our Goal

Summer of Soul: (Or when the revolution could not be televised) directed by the musical genius Questlove is a gorgeous documentary about a 1969 R & B, Gospel and Blues concert in Harlem. Overshadowed by Woodstock and the Moon landing, the footage and press on the concert was buried for years. Not a brag, but… Continue reading Summer of Soul: Return to Innocence Our Goal

Zola: O Ma!

Zola written and directed by Janicza Bravo (creator of past films like Lemon which starred her husband the fabulous Brett Gelman) proves that the wife in this case may eclipse her spouse. Meaning, Zola is original, memorable and upsetting which are all hallmarks of an important film. Sex trafficking is an important issue, but not… Continue reading Zola: O Ma!

ITH:Finally, a musical extravaganza like the old days!

I remember seeing my first Fred Astaire movie, simply in awe at the dancing prowess, not just of ‘the man’, but all the dancers moving in perfect synchronicity. So how refreshing, but not surprised considering my adoration for Hamilton, to be super moved by the dancing in Quiara Alegria Hudes and Linn-Manuel Miranda’s play and… Continue reading ITH:Finally, a musical extravaganza like the old days!

Undine, (Water)Mark her words

I discovered Christian Petzold after catching Transit one home cinema evening. I enjoyed how smart the story was and how it challenged me to pay attention. Likewise, with Petzold’s newest Undine, loosely based on the water nymph mythology. Petzold reteams the unrequited lovers in Transit, actress Paula Beer and Franz Rogowski as well as another… Continue reading Undine, (Water)Mark her words

Like the Most Annoying Bourne Identity: Cruella

I can’t remember where in the sequence the Bourne film was that drove me nuts, but Cruella achieved likewise. Their common ailment? I really don’t care to watch someone (or a group of three in Cruella) run for two hours straight since a real marathon would have much more substance. This is not to say… Continue reading Like the Most Annoying Bourne Identity: Cruella

The Dry, a 100% until the last ten minutes, no spoilers

What fun it was to see The Dry on the big screen, an eerie movie rendition of a Jane Harper novel written and directed by Robert Connolly, winner of several Aussie Awards. He also had help writing from fellow Australian Harry Cripps and Jane Harper herself. First, whatever supplements Eric Bana is taking, get thee… Continue reading The Dry, a 100% until the last ten minutes, no spoilers

Back to 2018 for one I missed: Transit

Transit, is based on a novel by Anna Seghers, whose other novels were also turned into excellent films like 1944’s The Seventh Cross. Christian Petzold, wrote and directed this modernized version of Seghers’ Transit and despite the confusing beginning, the film is a thought provoking and mind bending script of twists and turns. Franz Rogowski,… Continue reading Back to 2018 for one I missed: Transit

Percy Vs. Goliath: part of a new Medicare Movie Cycle

Much what Billy Crystal’s “Happy Now” tried to do for dementia, Christopher Walken attempts to do in exposing agrochemical evils in “Percy Vs. Goliath”. While the former tried to humanize and add comedic nuances, Christoher’s screenwriters, Garfield Lindsay Miller (please pick some initials) and Hilary Pryor went for straight on courtroom and farmland saga. Fortunately,… Continue reading Percy Vs. Goliath: part of a new Medicare Movie Cycle

Here Today: Good Attempt & Concept, But…

Billy Crystal is one of those hapless gents you can’t help but love. His reeking self-apology immediately makes a person want to like him just to stop his emotional bleeding. In his latest film which he directed and co-wrote with Alan Zweibel, “Here Today” is a well meaning attempt to grapple with the sticky situation… Continue reading Here Today: Good Attempt & Concept, But…