There were many reasons to escape into the cinema today; 11 hours (in two days) of intense retail work (100% friendly customers though), wide angle steer clear of some who haven’t found their zen, and an ice cold message from a former college sweetheart. Need I go on? I was even willing to go solo… Continue reading “The Square”, Way Outside the Box
Category: foreign film
Now I Get the Hyperbole: L’Iceberg
Ok, last week I saw Lost in Paris and was unimpressed. Yet I now see this as a Woody Allen analogy after seeing Abel’s earlier film L’Iceberg which was a knockout. So, it’s like seeing Woody Allen’s Match Point and going, ‘what’s the big deal about this guy?” and then seeing “Anne Hall”. L’Iceberg was… Continue reading Now I Get the Hyperbole: L’Iceberg
Unsupervised Teens, Always Big Trouble “L.I.E.”
Wow, just finished a recommendation for a PPLL, L.I.E. directed by Michael Cuesta. Was surprised I hadn’t heard of this director considering how well written and how artistically directed this film was from ‘way back’ in 2001. And while an Emmy for Homeland is nothing to sneeze at, I would have expected his subsequent films… Continue reading Unsupervised Teens, Always Big Trouble “L.I.E.”
The Lives of Others, a PPLL edition
Following my pattern of occasional pre pension library loan reviews, is this Oscar winner for best foreign film in 2007, The Lives of Others. Both a V.I.P and a P.I.P recommended this film which always makes it a bit tenuous to review. First a bookend coincidence to the day I watched the film: the morning… Continue reading The Lives of Others, a PPLL edition
Neruda, Who Knew Ya?
So I go to Neruda after work, thinking my cursory review of Rotten Tomatoes said it had a comedic air. Little did I know, I was in for lightening quick subtitles. Holy Chilean speed read! Well worth it though and while I did not see “No”, Pablo Larrain’s other famous movie also starring Gael Gracia… Continue reading Neruda, Who Knew Ya?
O’ Captain, Middling Captain: Captain Fantastic
Red Box Rental: While my best buddy was here in Ft. Meyers for the last time until the next yule tide, we rented Captain Fantastic (Oscar nominated Viggo Mortensen), after I pulled my movie snob card and outvoted his Melissa McCarthy as girl scout master coach pick. But before you place the Oscar medallion around… Continue reading O’ Captain, Middling Captain: Captain Fantastic
The Salesman Always Rings Twice & Consolation is Not in His BriefCase
The Salesman directed by Asghar Fahredi played at Burns Court for the Cineworld Film Fest on November 9th. I’m sure based on its quality it’ll get a normal run at most independent theaters and I highly recommend this taut tale. I’m biased of course, having seen and enjoyed his films in two different states. A… Continue reading The Salesman Always Rings Twice & Consolation is Not in His BriefCase
Why the lobster screams: The Lobster
I pulled an Anomalisa with The Lobster, expectations being through the ceiling. I mean John C. Reilly in a bitter satire about couples and the single shaming that occasionally happens to me? I hadn’t heard ‘smug marrieds’ since the original Bridget Jones Diary book (the movies look like schlock) and I was ready for action… Continue reading Why the lobster screams: The Lobster
First World Silly, Third World Smart
I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that sadly many Americans have a superior attitude about us vs third world countries. But let me tell you, my weekend movie experiences would shatter this myth for anyone with an ounce of intelligence. First, I saw the super tardy Rochester premiere of 2009’s Iranian film “About… Continue reading First World Silly, Third World Smart
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