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

Sylvie of the Sunshine State, When Instincts Pay Off

Preface: I emailed Sasha Levinson, writer and director of the documentary “Sylvie of the Sunshine State” and guess what? She offered to talk with me! What a beautiful spirit the woman has! We talked for almost twenty minutes about parenting and the directors who influence(d) her most. So just like Sasha’s risking vulnerability to place… Continue reading Sylvie of the Sunshine State, When Instincts Pay Off

Living: Many Intimate Moments

Living, a film based on a previous 1952 film by legendary cinema giant Kurosawa was written by Nobel Prize winning author Ishiguro. A creation of such origin was bound to be special and Living, while not a perfect 10, certainly contains many gorgeous moments. Realize that gorgeous doesn’t necessarily mean positive evocative emotions, as some… Continue reading Living: Many Intimate Moments

Corsage: Screenplay copyright check in aisle 3

I took the plunge with Corsage, but it wasn’t easy. In fact, the Corsage movie experience was exactly how I behave when I enter a pool: toe dip, cringe, ‘it’s cold’, ankle, cringe, shin, cringe, torso, cringe, breasts…primal scream…you get the message. My Corsage cringes came in waves, regarding how similar the screenplay story is… Continue reading Corsage: Screenplay copyright check in aisle 3

The Whale Nudges its Way into My Top Ten

If you hated Whale, consider that real things happen to real people; not pretty actors, but real people. And consider that some folks are irrevocably broken, so does that mean their story is not worthy of being told? I wrestled with where to put The Whale in my Top Ten. I had fun trying to… Continue reading The Whale Nudges its Way into My Top Ten

Navalny: Shocking, but sadly not surprising

Navalny, a super worthy documentary by Daniel Roher (creator of the tremendous Once We Were Brothers doc), is the plight of Putin adversary Alexei Navlany, currently incarcerated in a Russian jail. The doc follows Alexi post poisoning and the investigation and discovery of Putin’s henchmen. The story is well told, interspersing lovely moments of Nalvany… Continue reading Navalny: Shocking, but sadly not surprising