A Serious Man

Once again, the Coen brothers have created a world. In "A Serious Man" that world is a mid-1960's midwestern town populated by neurotic Jewish people. I loved every minute of this film. It's an imaginative spin on the Bible's book of Job. More understated and less populist than other films in the Coen's oeuvre. Certainly not everyone, but I was engaged the entire way.


Written 7/13/10

An Education

"An Education" is stunning. The screenplay and director deftly execute what would have been a maudlin story in lesser hands. The cast is brilliant and believable throughout. Peter Sarsgaard is especially strong. Methinks this film deserves all the accolades it has received.


Written 6/14/10

Crazy Heart

I was surprised at how much I loved this film. Jeff Bridges stars as Bad Blake, an over the hill country singer who is perpetually on the road and can't seem to get his life in order. The music in "Crazy Heart" is outstanding; I found myself humming the tunes long after the film had ended. I only wish they had cast an actress older than Maggie Gyllenhaal as Bridges' love interest. Their romance wasn't entirely believable due to their substantial age gap. Still, the actors do their best to sell it. Music fans rejoice: this is a film that respects musicians and portrays the music business as it really is - that is, usually slimy and cutthroat. Watching it all unfold is a rare treat.


Written 6/1/10

Good Hair

A well-made documentary that ticks all the requisite boxes. Where do weaves come from? Are the chemicals in these hair products dangerous? Who buys all this stuff? What does Al Sharpton think? All these questions and more are answered in this thoroughly entertaining and enlightening film.


Written 3/31/10

It Might Get Loud

One of the best films about music I have ever seen. The three profiled musicians - Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), The Edge (U2), and Jack White (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs) - complement each other excellently. Page is the sage: content in his older age, distributing his wisdom freely. The Edge is a gentle soul continually questing for new insights. And Jack White is the eager, earnest youngster yearning for acceptance from his two elders. The pacing of the film is great. It's a blast to learn more about the backgrounds (musical & otherwise) of the three guitarists. "It Might Get Loud" is definitely worthy viewing for anyone who loves music and its makers.


Written 3/23/10

Moon

"Moon" is a classic worthy of a place in anyone's film pantheon. The story unfolds at just the right pace, Sam Rockwell is brilliant, and the set design is highly nuanced and believable. There's no sense in me giving away any of the story's twists and turns - be surprised upon viewing! The film is directed by David Bowie's son, Duncan Jones. This is his first feature. Mr. Jones appears to have a bright future ahead of him.


Written 3/11/10

Up

A film filled with wonder and visual treats. Surprising how emotionally affecting these Pixar films can be. They've produced another masterful work.


Written 1/6/10

Cranes Are Flying

On paper, this reads like another drab WWII sob story, but it is so much more. The female lead, Tatyana Samojlova, is a remarkable presence. Always at the heart of the twisting narrative, she exudes grace and verisimilitude. The filmmaking is brash and always daring. One understands almost immediately upon beginning viewing why this film is so lauded. Its plaudits are earned.


Written 12/11/09

Trouble the Water

Stark, shocking, hilarious, honest, brutal, poetic. Superlatives cease to be sufficient - this documentary is outstanding. "Trouble the Water" showcases some of the *real* footage of Hurricane Katrina, filmed by people who lived it and lived to tell the tale. The lead couple's story of redemption is breathtaking to behold.


Written 11/10/09

Sugar

"Sugar" is an understated gem of a movie. Where the filmmakers could have bludgeoned us viewers over the head, they instead always choose restraint. As a result we are blessed with a true-to-life tale of a quiet Dominican kid who loves baseball and longs to seek fame and fortune in the U.S. Major Leagues. His story is beautifully written, filmed, and acted.


Written 11/10/09

Punishment Park

Of course this is heavy-handed -- it's an unflinching satire of the Vietnam war-era battles between the "squares" and the "hippies" in the U.S. Director Peter Watkins' filmmaking here is ever-imaginative and gripping. Some of the dialogue is repetitive, sure, but the film thrusts viewers into such a believable alternate reality that flaws in the execution are forgivable. Since the release of "Punishment Park" in 1971, countless viewers have believed the film to be a factual documentary. It is that convincing.


Written 9/8/09

M

Though this film was released in 1931, it feels contemporary. This is great filmmaking, unhindered by the primitive technology of its day. The only thing lacking is a musical score. One character's steady whistling somewhat fills this void. True, the film's story is disturbing, but the craft is so outstanding! "M" is a great example of imagination overcoming technical limitations.


Written 8/12/09

Anatomy of a Murder

Great script, great acting, great production. This is a long film, but each character provides so much intrigue that the length is not felt. I know Jimmy Stewart gets most of the glory here as the likable lawyer, but I thought Ben Gazzara stole much of his thunder as the seething accused murderer. If you want thrilling courtroom drama, watch "Anatomy of a Muder". The Ellington score and cameo are a great bonus to an already rarefied film experience.


Written 8/7/09

What's Up, Doc?

A classic caper comedy that is guaranteed to lift your spirits. By the time the film ramps up to its sequence of ceaseless sight gags and, eventually, a brilliant car chase through the streets of San Francisco, you will be hooked. Ryan O'Neal is outstanding as a needy nerd, and Streisand is sweetly mischievous. The supporting cast provide laughs all around. Don't sleep on this one!


Written 8/7/09

The Cliburn: Playing on the Edge

Thoroughly riveting from start to finish. A humanizing portrait of artists achieving great things. There are so many moments of deep emotion worth savoring, both onstage and off. The musical merit of each participant is indisputable. When a winner is crowned at the end it hardly feels as though they are head and shoulders above the rest. Each participant is a piano virtuoso, and as such, they make fascinating subjects.


Written 8/4/09

Sunset Boulevard

This is a twisted tale of Hollywood's inner workings. Whether you can enjoy it is, I think, debatable. While watching this, my mouth was at times agape due to my discomfort! Former silent movie actress Gloria Swanson completely inhabits her character, delivering a performance you won't soon forget. The ending is bizarrely stunning. This is a fascinating look at old Hollywood. But really, present-day Hollywood seems just the same. Some things don't ever change...


Written 7/28/09

The Exorcist

Images from "The Exorcist" will remain with me until the end of my days. It is truly frightening. I had managed to avoid viewing this until now, as a 31 year old. I don't care for horror films and among that genre's vast offerings, almost 40 years on from its making this one is still notorious for its darkness. While viewing this, it got to a point where whenever the mother was running upstairs to check on whatever the demons possessing her daughter were up to I had to press and hold the fast forward button. Too heavy for me. Even skipping past those moments, I managed to be creeped out plenty. What gets lost in all the hoopla about the gore, the depiction of a possessed child, and the spiritual battle depicted onscreen is that "The Exorcist" is a tremendous film. The pacing of the storytelling is revelatory. The editor deserves many plaudits. The actors are brilliant and never campy. It's just that I hope to never see this again. I'm too sensitive, which means I'm unable to allow these images a home in my mind.