Category: family issues

Hail Hail Cusack’s Back and Dano’s Better Than Ever

John Cusak I was blown away by Love and Mercy and I never liked the Beach Boys. But now I do! An engaging screenplay, co-written by Oren Moverman, who also wrote The Messenger and I’m Not There is the deepest I’ve seen in trying to capture the long term effects of child abuse. The director,… Continue reading Hail Hail Cusack’s Back and Dano’s Better Than Ever

Aging Al Pacino (Danny Collins)vs. Female Robot (Ex Machina)and the winner is…

You would think that an aging Al Pacino in Danny Collins (directed by Dan Fogelman) couldn’t hold a candle to a futuristic Ex Machina robot (directed by Alex Garland), but you would be wrong. Ex Machina makes Under the Skin look like an action flick. A more appropriate title might be “Pregnant Pause”. Conceptually it’s… Continue reading Aging Al Pacino (Danny Collins)vs. Female Robot (Ex Machina)and the winner is…

Happy Christmas Justified

Looking out my window in Upstate New York this morning, my car window was covered with snow. I lost the opportunity, though contemplated it, of writing in the snow: Spring break ends? Hence, I was justified in watching Joe Swanberg’s “Happy Christmas” who I found out about via Marc Maron’s podcast. While I enjoyed hearing… Continue reading Happy Christmas Justified

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

My Old Crush is in “My Old Lady”

I try hard not to read reviews before I go see a film, but I confess I took a sneak peak to Rotten Tomatoes before heading out to Pittsford Cinema in Rochester, New York to view “My Old Lady”. A trusted friend had told me it was good, but I wanted a professional’s opinion. A… Continue reading My Old Crush is in “My Old Lady”

Love Strange, but Chopin Marvelous

marisa tomei Saw “Love is Strange” at my favorite theater, The Little in Rochester, New York. I’ve been a fan of Marisa Tomei forever and while I’d like to say this is a knockout performance equal to “Before the Devil Knows Your Dead”, alas, it’s not Oscar season just yet. The best thing about the… Continue reading Love Strange, but Chopin Marvelous

Second Time Around: Boyhood

Remember that Shalamar song “The Second Time Around”, an adorable ditty from the 80’s? The songs lyric, “It’s better than the first time”…is true for watching “Boyhood”. Club sandwiches come to mind as an apt analogy regarding both the scene breakdown and the soundtrack. This time around, I appreciated the number of scenes during each… Continue reading Second Time Around: Boyhood