Wild Tales, my subtitle: It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over

The Oscars and Time Magazine agreed, nominating Wild Tales for best foreign film and claiming it as one of 2014’s best movies respectively. I don’t disagree though I have a tough time with gratuitous man on man violence. I just can’t bear to watch or listen to the punching, hitting, etc. In Wild Tales, one… Continue reading Wild Tales, my subtitle: It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over

Leviathan, tis the season

I was thinking how depressing a movie Leviathan (direcetd by Andrey Zvyagintsev) is, not depressing in the, ‘Boy do I feel melancholia!”, but more of a super realist/pragmatist life reference. Yet, isn’t that what our pre-Easter/mid lent period is all about? Suffering and self-denial leading up to the…ta-da!- resurrection. But I digress. Leviathan was up… Continue reading Leviathan, tis the season

Peaks and Valleys: The Imitation Game and 50 Shades of Grey

There’s no connection between these two films. Though my opinion going in was reversed in both cases. I thought The Imitation Game would be maudlin historical fiction, but due to Benedict Cumberbatch’s genuine portrayal and Kiera Knightley fantastic as his beard, I was truly moved. I don’t, however, think it was best picture worthy and… Continue reading Peaks and Valleys: The Imitation Game and 50 Shades of Grey

Force Majeure and Brene`Brown’s The Courage to Be Vulnerable

Force Majeure is so original that I wonder why it’s missing from Oscar’s best foreign films nominations. The acting and sound design were impeccable. And while running this morning, listening to NPR’s On Being, I realized the importance of an important theme that may be lost in the shuffle of the film’s moral question: when… Continue reading Force Majeure and Brene`Brown’s The Courage to Be Vulnerable

The American Sniper Question; the man, technology’s decimation or age’s wrath?

Here’s the deal: I saw the 73% Rotten Tomatoes, but wanted to see ‘American Sniper’ anyway. Was the percentage accurate? I guess so, considering Cooper’s acting performance and the sand storm scene which were both well executed. Yet the story lacked those moments that evoke sentiment, other than the obvious, ‘war is hell’. Other peripheral… Continue reading The American Sniper Question; the man, technology’s decimation or age’s wrath?

Yes, Virginia there is a S.C.! (Steve Carell)

Steve Carell I was skeptical about Foxcatcher, partly because I couldn’t hide from reviews that claimed the screenplay was thin. Thank goodness I sometimes take these reviews with a grain of salt, as Foxcatcher contains a very well written story and fabulous performances by Steve Carrel, Mark Ruffalo and Channing Tatum. First, the most unique… Continue reading Yes, Virginia there is a S.C.! (Steve Carell)

Reese’s Pieces, “Wild”, Ode to My Mother

I’ll reiterate a statement I’ve made in the past, that the best movies change you on such a deep level that you feel differently not only when you leave the theater, but days afterward. “Wild” directed by Jean-Marc Valee is one of those touching movies, especially for a woman of a certain age like me… Continue reading Reese’s Pieces, “Wild”, Ode to My Mother