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
Close in Real Time
Close is written and directed by Lucas Dhont of which he co-wrote with Angelo Tijssens. As Belgium filmmakers, they made their first big splash with Girl in 2018. One of the most thrilling occurrences in life is when connections and coincidences happen, as in the recent Scott Galloway column in which he made the case… Continue reading Close in Real Time
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
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
White Noise: Driver’s Poise
Adam Driver is an actor without enough awards. If I were Empress of the Academy, he would have won hands down for Marriage Story and ditto for his performance in Annette. White Noise isn’t award worthy, BUT Driver is totally believable and admirable as the geeky college professor/husband/father in Noah Baumbach’s White Noise. What the… Continue reading White Noise: Driver’s Poise
Top Ten of 2022: A Complicated Year
This year my choices are more based on acting moments rather than story. As I look down the list, there wasn’t one movie I could say was perfect in screenwriting, yet the performances within the films or in the case of The Fabelmans, subplot, the movie is worthy (or shall I say guilty by association)… Continue reading Top Ten of 2022: A Complicated Year
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
First, I want to give a shout out to the original Pinocchio author, Carlo Collodi, a fine Sagittarian born on November 24th and who died at 63 back in 1890. With that acknowledgement out of the way, let me say I was pumping the brakes during the first ten minutes of GdT’s Pinocchio, thinking aw… Continue reading Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Avatar: The Way of Water…Ummmm, Yeh about that…
I didn’t hate it, let’s start with that (laugh emoji). Visually stunning, but not even close to Dune, Avatar The Way of Water is just a so so story, but exceptionally great for kids for the positive messages. A member of the cast is analogous to this year’s Batman where I go…Colin Farrel was The… Continue reading Avatar: The Way of Water…Ummmm, Yeh about that…
I Want You Back: Lovable Actors=Taking the Ride
I Want You Back (Directed by Jason Orley of Big Time Adolescence and Pete Davidson stand up specials) is a super lovable rom-com. I’m not into chick flicks per se, but give me Jenny Slate and Charlie Day and how can a person dislike them, it’d be like hating puppies or kittens. What helps here… Continue reading I Want You Back: Lovable Actors=Taking the Ride
“Sr.”, a Moving Tribute to Robert Downey
Chris Smith directed Sr. and is also known for his Tiger King series (to forever be remembered along with The Last Dance/Covid Beginnings sanity saving spectaculars). Considering how well he handled Sr., I am super excited about his Gene Wilder documentary. Sr. could not have been easy to direct as Sr. showed his true creative… Continue reading “Sr.”, a Moving Tribute to Robert Downey
Emily the (Redundant) Criminal
Let me start with positives, Emily the Criminal (written and directed by John Patton Ford) is worth watching especially if you’re with a person hooked on action and suspense. Crazy the the Golden Globes have this first frenetic feature up against the quiet contemplative Aftersun. It’s like let’s have a vote on apples vs. oranges,… Continue reading Emily the (Redundant) Criminal
Johnny Cash: An American Redemption Icon
I enjoyed the documentary ‘Johnny Cash: An American Redemption Icon’ directed and I assume also written by Ben Smallbone. I enjoyed the inspirational story about Johnny’s fall into amphetamine and alcohol abuse and his rise to prison concerts and his partnership with Billy Graham. Johnny was fearless in honesty and faith. The proselytizing by the… Continue reading Johnny Cash: An American Redemption Icon
Aftersun: Blinded By the Sights
Ok, I’m still trying to grasp the multiple awards for which Aftersun has won and been nominated. While story telling gurus advise writers to show don’t tell, Charlotte Wells may have taken this too far. I appreciate avant garde cinematography (Gregory Oke), but unless you give the audience a little more context, we’re more mystified… Continue reading Aftersun: Blinded By the Sights
Kicking and Screaming: Catherine Called Birdy
I dragged myself through the first third of Lena Dunham’s Independent Spirit Award nominated Screenplay Catherine Called Birdy. I loved Girls up until the last season and have either loved or hated Dunham’s antics over the years. Odd upbringings make for creative geniuses (Safdies, Robert Downey Jr) and Dunham (psychiatrist and artists as parents) is… Continue reading Kicking and Screaming: Catherine Called Birdy
The Cathedral: Brilliant, Haunting and Heady
Deciding to shift down from the Thanksgiving/Birthday Go Go Go, I decided to take in an at home film nominated for the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards. After all, these are the folks that acknowledged Uncut Gems, Red Rocket and Zola. The Cathedral, written and directed by Ricky D’Ambrose is a former winner at the Sarasota… Continue reading The Cathedral: Brilliant, Haunting and Heady
The Fabelmans, Adults are Overrated
I think this every holiday season: without children, we don’t need the traditional celebrations. If I was Queen, I’d say screw the turkey and save the Christmas (Or Hanukkah) gift money and let’s do an activity; philanthropic donations and bowling perhaps. I say this to introduce how I felt about The Fablemans, directed by Steven… Continue reading The Fabelmans, Adults are Overrated
Bones and All-Most
Please email me your comments at irun2eatpizza@hotmail.com…I have not cracked the code of getting WordPress to be my friend re. comment availability. I promise to answer all humans who reply. Bones and All is based on a book by Camille DeAngelis and certainly not anything I’d ever read. The horror/love story genre’s not my cup… Continue reading Bones and All-Most
Broker, Positive End-Orphans
PREFACE: Please email me with your comments at irun2eatpizza@hotmail.com I promise to respond to every human:) I’ve been a fan of Hirokazu Koreeda ever since having my heart broken open by his film Shoplifters, so my expectations were gigantic for his newest, Broker. Koreeda went solo on this film, managing both the screenplay and direction… Continue reading Broker, Positive End-Orphans
Chile ’76, A Fine First Feature Filet
Manuela Martelli has quite a few acting roles under her belt, but this is her first feature directed film. I had to do a double take as her resemblance to the main female lead played by Aline Kuppenheim is astounding! Martelli shares the writing credit with Alejandra Moffat and must be thrilled with the international… Continue reading Chile ’76, A Fine First Feature Filet
The Banshees of Inisherin: Location, Location, Loc-
Sometimes your location really matters when it comes to where one views a movie. If I had seen The Banshees of Inisherin in my new hometown of Sarasota, the sultry outside may have been too much of a mismatch for me to enjoy the film as thoroughly as I did. But in my OLD hometown… Continue reading The Banshees of Inisherin: Location, Location, Loc-
Raymond and Ray: Doubly Dynamic
I should just start all my podcasts with confessions…but Ethan Hawke is an acting God to me, from his luminous start in Dead Poet’s Society to his poignant Before Sunset Linklater trilogy to what should have been a no brainer Oscar in First Reformed, Ethan Hawke is THE man. And I was fortunate enough to… Continue reading Raymond and Ray: Doubly Dynamic
Call Jane Makes 2022 Look Almost Utopian
I sometimes lament our 2022 technology obsessed culture, but 1968, to borrow a phrase from a former colleague of mine, was no Swiss picnic. Racial strife and the constrictive gender roles look so dystopian and are the key topics of Call Jane, Phyllis Nagy’s first feature film. The screenwriters Hayley Schore and Roshan Sheti need… Continue reading Call Jane Makes 2022 Look Almost Utopian
The Estate: Friends in Low Places
Sometimes you have to take a crazy cruise, meaning slum it with a silly movie. But at least I chose good company. The Estate’s cast included Toni Collette, Anna Faris, David Duchovny & a very humble Kathleen Turner. The big question is: how in the world did writer/director Dean Craig con all of them to… Continue reading The Estate: Friends in Low Places
Decision to Leave…This One Off the Awards List
I have no poker face, so I’ll say it upfront. Despite what the poster quoted “Most Romantic Movie of the Year”, I beg to differ. Not that Decision to Leave didn’t have a few moments of flickering heat or a spritz of emotion, Park Chan-wook’s written and directed film smacks more of Deep Water (though… Continue reading Decision to Leave…This One Off the Awards List
“Tar”red and Intrigued
If you’re new to my blog, I’ve attempted to fix the reply feature several times over and being a techno-dunce, can’t succeed. Hence, send your replies to my email (yes it’s real): irun2eatpizza@hotmail.com I really would like to hear your thoughts. While I’m itching to hear others’ opinions about Tar, I’ll be a virgin and… Continue reading “Tar”red and Intrigued
Triangle of Sadness was my Oval of Ecstasy
Ok, I admit my bias upfront. I think Ruben Ostlund’s movies are so unique and visceral that I already knew I’d love Triangle of Sadness, ESPECIALLY when you throw in one of my favorite people of all time, Woody Harrleson. Triangle of Sadness is not perfect, I would have trimmed a few scenes from acts… Continue reading Triangle of Sadness was my Oval of Ecstasy
The Greatest Show on Earth (1952): Nothin’ But (No) Net
The Greatest Show on Earth was yet another gaping hole in my classic film viewing. After seeing Singing in the Rain and aghast that it hadn’t won Best Picture, I decided now was the time to see what was victor. And TGSOE was the 1952 Oscar winning film directed by Cecil B. DeMille. At over… Continue reading The Greatest Show on Earth (1952): Nothin’ But (No) Net
I found out about Stars at Noon at 11:59 A.M.
Jiminey Crickets, if I had known about Stars at Noon (screenplay co-written by and directly fully by Claire Denis) I would have begged for a talk back opportunity. Why do some films get so little press when they are quality, and others, like Halloween 17 or whatever the candy corn name is, get a lot… Continue reading I found out about Stars at Noon at 11:59 A.M.
A Kiss (vintage 59) is Not Just a Kiss (circa 1983)
Fortunate enough to watch two and two-thirds classic movies on what I’ll call Ash (Blonde*) at Burns Court Theater; North By Northwest (Hitchcock 1959) and The Natural (Levinson 1983). First, an aphrodisiac about the films as a whole. I’ve seen North By Northwest before and the movie encompasses limitless viewing. This time I kept my… Continue reading A Kiss (vintage 59) is Not Just a Kiss (circa 1983)
Sunshine State from 2002, Like FLA itself: Timeless Yet Flawed
John Sayles (twice nominated for Oscars in writing) wrote and directed Sunshine State and deserves accolades for the timeless subject matter: over development of land, demise of independent brick and mortars and with it the American dream, and the breakdown of the American family. The script doctor in me knows that he threw in way… Continue reading Sunshine State from 2002, Like FLA itself: Timeless Yet Flawed
Sigourney & Kevin in a Well Built Real Estate Flick
Darker than Larry Crowne (2011), The Good House (directed by the married team of Maya Forbes and Wallace Wolodarsky who co-wrote in a threesome with Thomas Bezucha (Let Him Go) is a solid dramedy starring Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline. Biased with a long running man crush on Kevin Kline, I don’t think anyone would… Continue reading Sigourney & Kevin in a Well Built Real Estate Flick
Bros: Been awhile since I got to type “well written”!
Bros, directed and co-written (with star Billy Eichner) by Nicholas Stoller is a novel and authentic take on gay relationships. Not only that, I believe it is the beginning of normalizing gay relationships. Perhaps a controversial take, but until more of these groundbreaking films are seen, society is going to have to deal with indgnant… Continue reading Bros: Been awhile since I got to type “well written”!
Blonde: NC 17 Could Actually Stand for No Consolation
Let’s just say Andrew Dominik has a dark side, no? Killing Them Softly, for one, and he also likes the based on a true story as in Chopper (and now possibly Blonde). Mind you, violence is not my style so I’ve seen neither of the aforementioned, but there were more triggers for me in Blonde… Continue reading Blonde: NC 17 Could Actually Stand for No Consolation
Back to Back Classics in SRQ: Two Johns and a Jimmy
What a gift to live in Sarasota! Thursday I saw Grease (Kleiser, 1978) on the big screen at the charming Burns Court Theater (Sarasota Film Society) where joy was expressed in the gyrating seat dances and applause after each song. Truly a blessing to listen to audience members share their love for Olivia Newton-JOHN and… Continue reading Back to Back Classics in SRQ: Two Johns and a Jimmy
Peter Von Kant: Raises Interesting Questions
First of all, where are my people? Come on world, or ok, I’ll go smaller, Sarasota. Ok, smaller still, Ringling College Film Majors? I’d really like to see more intellectual and artsy people at Burns Court. For Peter Von Kant, I had a small passionate few who stayed for the talk back who I really… Continue reading Peter Von Kant: Raises Interesting Questions
Scorsese’s Godard Pick: Contempt
I certainly was familiar with Jean-Luc Godard was, but upon seeing his recent death, knew I was deficient in experience. So when I saw Martin Scorsese loved Contempt, that was my ticket. Based on the Italian novel by the same name, Godard chose the buttocks bombshell Bridgette Bardot as the female lead. Here she plays… Continue reading Scorsese’s Godard Pick: Contempt
Jaws 3D Worth Taking a Bite!
Jaws 3 D is totally worth the price of admission and since I had literally not seen it since it’s debut (age 12), I was skeptical about how good it would be. Certainly 3D helped, but the acting performances by the three male leads stand the test of time. Scene 1: Roy Scheider (two time… Continue reading Jaws 3D Worth Taking a Bite!
In the Summer Movie Spouse Competition, Javier Wins
Penelope Cruz might be the prettier of the two, but Javier Bardem’s newest film The Good Boss is far better than Cruz’s Official Competition. Sorry Penny! And that’s saying something since I saw The Good Boss after a very long day: running 3 and a half miles, playing an hour and 15 minutes of tennis… Continue reading In the Summer Movie Spouse Competition, Javier Wins
Francois Ozon’s Double Lover, a Sexy Offering
Since I’ll be doing a talk back of Ozon’s Peter von Kant at Burns Court on September 16th (the 7 pm show), I wanted to do my research. And I discovered I had already seen and enjoyed one of Francois Ozon’s (6 time Cannes Film Fest nominee) earlier works entitled Swimming Pool (2003). So, I… Continue reading Francois Ozon’s Double Lover, a Sexy Offering
Three Thousand Years of Longing Left Me Yearning for A.S. Byatt’s Story Depth
I’m not going to change, but it’s always dangerous to read the book before seeing the movie. But danger in a marvelous way, since our brains are able to picture who we’d cast as actresses and actors, what hotel rooms we envision, etc… So with that being said, while I enjoyed the movie, it did… Continue reading Three Thousand Years of Longing Left Me Yearning for A.S. Byatt’s Story Depth
“Monday” on Showtime: You know what K.C. sang “Rainy days and Mondays”…well switch out Crazy for rainy
Surely I’m not the only one who justifies her/his staying in and saving money by this self-shaming scold; You subscribe to two streaming services, find something at home to watch. So my thriftiness led me to “Monday” released in 2021. Once I’m done posting this, I’ll be reading the other human who saw this, John… Continue reading “Monday” on Showtime: You know what K.C. sang “Rainy days and Mondays”…well switch out Crazy for rainy
Vengeance: BJ Novak’s Dance is the Texas Too-Smart
I enjoyed Vengeance, written and directed by BJ Novak, but also felt agitated. Based on his cartwheels of Mensa-like dialogue, his Harvard diploma is apparent. And that’s the problem with Vengeance, its a little too full of itself, a proverbial Texas Too-Smart. Ideas I enjoyed: that modern Americans are selfish, wanting it all. The fresh… Continue reading Vengeance: BJ Novak’s Dance is the Texas Too-Smart
Memoria: Deeply Rooted
As I type, I am sitting on a stone patio in the back of the carriage house behind a mansion on East Avenue in Rochester, New York. The breeze picks up now and then, the cicadas rise to the chorus, and the birds offer an intermittent tweet. In this equation, I am the tiniest of… Continue reading Memoria: Deeply Rooted
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is a mixed up little clam, but it’s hard not to love it. Even more poignant is knowing the back story, that in 2011 Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer-Camp were a twosome and now they’re merely business partners. This strife is alluded to in the film, which were actually… Continue reading Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Fire of Love: A Late July Explosion
One hundred percent is a saying thrown around quite often and was the original Rotten T score for Fire of Love, which like 3.99 gas prices, is now down a whopping reduction to 99%. Being a humanist, on the opposite spectrum of scientist, I can not give Fire of Love a hundred percent, nor a… Continue reading Fire of Love: A Late July Explosion
Leftovers Two Days Straight
I went to see my second viewing of Top Gun Maverick and Where the Crawdads Sing on back to back nights and wanted to comment on both. First, Top Gun Maverick. I felt like I was more ‘present’ for this viewing which can sometimes happen the second time around. Whereas I originally claimed that the… Continue reading Leftovers Two Days Straight
Where the Crawdads Sing: the summer of grumpy critics
Post Script Preface: Email me with comments at irun2eatpizza@hotmail.com I’ve tried for many moons to use the “I’m a Human Capctha with zero success (call me a techno-dunce), HENCE, my email works! I’m upping my score to a 70% after thinking of the adorable little girl who plays the young Kya, Jojo Regina. Kids are… Continue reading Where the Crawdads Sing: the summer of grumpy critics
The Souvenir: Part II; My Kind of Paint Drying
The Souvenir Part 2 was as equally mystifying yet engrossing as the first film by Joanna Hog. Precautions: Don’t even try it though if you haven’t seen the first one as you won’t know what the heck is happening. If you have any a.d.d. tendencies, either take a Valium or wait until you happen to… Continue reading The Souvenir: Part II; My Kind of Paint Drying
Official Competition: Dark Humor Warm Up Required
I wasn’t prepared for Argentinian humor Friday night when I watched Official Competition. I was just complacent and over tired, but mesmerized by Penelope Cruz looking great even in a frizzy red wig…how does one woman possess such beauty? That’s the main question. I have heard many film buffs say what a genius performance she… Continue reading Official Competition: Dark Humor Warm Up Required
Fourth of July, the movie: Anti-codependence Day
My Thoughts on Louis CK: People are fallible. People deserve forgiveness. Apologies can be judged, but without a mind reader, no one can truly know, except for the ‘culprit’, the true level of sincerity. Having prefaced that, how about a movie review? I was lucky enough to have my finger on the pulse when Les… Continue reading Fourth of July, the movie: Anti-codependence Day
Viva Baz Luhrmann
I’ll admit, back in Moulin Rouge days, I left the first time in the first ten minutes, just too bucked off the equine by Luhrmann’s mania. But then, days later, I got back on the horse and gloriously rode to the finish. Great Gatsby, meh? But Elvis, now we’re talking and now I’m muting as… Continue reading Viva Baz Luhrmann
What is a Woman Documentary: Can We Let Kids be Kids?
Here’s the bottom line on Matt Walsh’s What is a Woman? First, let me get my traffic cop whistle. And I earned my whistle gaining a Masters Degree in Counseling from SUNY Brockport. BLURRRR (that’s a whistle sound): You, Matt Walsh, you don’t need to be smarmy when asking questions to adults. BLURRRR: And at… Continue reading What is a Woman Documentary: Can We Let Kids be Kids?
Two Reviews: A Duffer and a Fluffer
The Duffer: While Mark Rylance was fantastically humble as the duffer Maurice Flitcroft in The Phantom of the Open, the actor/actress who stole the show is Sally Hawkins. Nominated twice for Oscars, she may be the most underated actress in the world. Watch Eternal Beauty (also directed by Craig Roberts who did this Phantom film),… Continue reading Two Reviews: A Duffer and a Fluffer
Cha Cha Real Smooth: Memories and Possibilities
Cha Cha Real Smooth not only showcases evolutionary talent and a new phenom, but brings those forces together to an alchemist fever pitch. Cooper Raiff, the aforementioned wunderkind also wrote and directed this emotionally moving gem. Dakota Johnson (who I have loved since Peanut Butter Falcon) shines as the outwardly chill, but inwardly restless single… Continue reading Cha Cha Real Smooth: Memories and Possibilities
Nothing But Net: Hustle
Some body besides the Independent Spirit Award Committee (though God Bless Your souls) please recognize what PT Anderson saw TWO DECADES AGO (Hello?) in Punch Drunk Love: Adam Sandler is a legitimate dramatic actor. I promise not to gush too much about who I feel are cinematic masters (Safdie Brothers), since Hustle is still no… Continue reading Nothing But Net: Hustle
Mr. Marshall, I’ll Be Frank. And Ryan, I’m the One Suffern
Ideally a music documentary leaves you uplifted and wanting to travel, whether that be back in time (Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President) or to see current performers (Shine the Light). Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story did neither and was, quite frankly, horrible. Frank Marshall and Ryan Suffern should have hired a writer with… Continue reading Mr. Marshall, I’ll Be Frank. And Ryan, I’m the One Suffern
Worth Streaming on HBO: My Dead Dad
Tapping my foot waiting for better movies to come to the box office, I decided to give My Dead Dad a whirl. The film written and directed by Fabio Frey with a little help from the lead role, Pedro Correa, is worth a stream on HBO. Pedro may become a big name soon considering he’s… Continue reading Worth Streaming on HBO: My Dead Dad
Can I Hug a Movie? Sure, why not! Our Souls at Night
Our Souls at Night is a gorgeously written movie about human relationships. But first, let me tell you how I got there. I wanted to be ‘on trend’ so thought I’d watch a couple of segments of Love, Sex & Robots on Netflix. I mean, who can knock the title? In my head I thought,… Continue reading Can I Hug a Movie? Sure, why not! Our Souls at Night
Need For Speed and Splenda: Top Gun Maverick
I thoroughly bought in by the second half of Top Gun Maverick (directed by Joseph Kosinski), the long postponed follow-up to the 1980’s machismo cult favorite. The dramatic pauses made me giggle a bit in the first half as did the intensely serious military explanations. But not a big deal, simply like jumping into a… Continue reading Need For Speed and Splenda: Top Gun Maverick
Score One for the French: Who You Think I Am
Since I talked down about petit Francais in my last review (Anais in Love), I’ve got to hand it to writer/director Safy Nebbou for the 2019 flick “Who you Think I Am” available now on Amazon. Mind you, the film was adapted from a book by Camille Laurens and Safy chose the best living middle… Continue reading Score One for the French: Who You Think I Am
Anais in Love: An Arc de Goodenumph
France may as well be Mars to me. They’re such odd people. They are so rushed, emphatic and impatitent as evidenced by the character Anais (portrayed by Anais Demoustier…coincidence?) in Anais in Love, written and directed by Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet. Eerily similar in plot to The Worst Person in the World, Anais in Love is a… Continue reading Anais in Love: An Arc de Goodenumph
Jumpin Jake Flash, Bay’s Ambulance, a Gas Gas Gas
If only I could get paid for this, I’d be a wealthy woman…Now that I’m back to my normal Buddhist zero expectations, I had fun watching Michael Bay’s smash up extravaganza. Credit goes to Chris Fedak who adapted the screenplay from the Dutch original, who either added or maintained the perfect balance of melodrama with… Continue reading Jumpin Jake Flash, Bay’s Ambulance, a Gas Gas Gas
Worthy Story, Too Much Fighting, All at Once
Everything Everywhere All at Once is by the writer and director team of Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinhert (Swiss Army Man, weird flick). I had the misfortune of hearing too many hyperbolic compliments beforehand, setting it up for the inability to live up to great expectations. First, great premise: the world is f’ed up (of… Continue reading Worthy Story, Too Much Fighting, All at Once
Mothering Sunday: Stop the Presses
Preface: A quote from Sheila Heti’s book Pure Colour which sums up the special quality of relationships falling on the cusp, fitting my experience with the movie Mothering Sunday: “Sometimes a person is meant to move forward in the world with the one they love at a distance, and that the distance is there to… Continue reading Mothering Sunday: Stop the Presses
Montana Story; acting as majestic as the mountains
Scott McGehee and David Siegel (of What Masie Knew, another jewel of a film) have come up with another compelling family story adaptation (Mike Spreter the original author), this time centering on a brother-sister dynamic. Showing now at the Sarasota Film Festival, the film is definitely worth seeing (and if I could fit it in,… Continue reading Montana Story; acting as majestic as the mountains
Compartment No. 6, Don’t Passover the Little Guy/Girl
Winning three awards at Cannes, directed and adapted from a novel to the screen by Juho Kuomanen, Compartment No. 6 is not a film at which to sneeze, yet because it didn’t make the U.S. Slap Fest, most people probably pass it by. But foreign films are often deeper than American (sorry USA) and Compartment… Continue reading Compartment No. 6, Don’t Passover the Little Guy/Girl
Sarasota Film Fest Documentary: Oleg, an Editing Feat
“Oleg, The Oleg Vidov Story” is an editing feat. As a documentary told in chronological story, no matter how exciting the events, a writer (in this case, Cory Taylor) and director (Nadia Tass) have to spice it up with timely clips that put us in the subject’s milieu. And Oleg does this in a fascinating… Continue reading Sarasota Film Fest Documentary: Oleg, an Editing Feat
WindFall, a Generous Review
Maybe it’s the whimsical feeling of Spring, but just as I loved the clumsy erotic thriller Deep Water, I also dug Windfall. Most of the reason why is my adoration for Jesse Plemons and Jason Segel, both fine actors. In fact, since Toney Kotsur won 18 awards for CODA, could he break the foot off… Continue reading WindFall, a Generous Review
A sweet giggle followed by a cannonball into Deep Water
I loved Deep Water. Think the whimsy can be attributed to the thrills and absurdity of real life, and how Deep Water addresses the idea of men who refuse to leave abusive relationships (the subject of a stage play I wrote two years ago called “May Divorce Be With You”–think Star Wars and you get… Continue reading A sweet giggle followed by a cannonball into Deep Water
After Yang Screams for the Big Screen & Voila! SFF Answers the Call
Second viewing of after Yang at the Sarasota Film Festival….ruminations: I wanted to shout out to the man in charge of the music Aska Matsumyia. The delicate piano helps to accentuate the grief and loss. And thank goodness I saw it on the big screen. There’s a moment I did not catch, so precious that… Continue reading After Yang Screams for the Big Screen & Voila! SFF Answers the Call
“The Outfit” Comes Off a Little Too Easily
Graham Moore, Oscar winner for Best Adapted Screenplay for the very moving The Imitation Game, co-wrote and directed The Outfit, out now at Burns Court and AMC Bradenton. And while I love Mark Rylance (I could have kissed him for making me laugh so hard in “Don’t Look Up”), this film was just a little… Continue reading “The Outfit” Comes Off a Little Too Easily
Holy Intricate Super Hero Movie, Batman!
Matt Reeves and Peter Craig (who wrote The Town) have done a yeoman’s job on making a smart super hero movie. At 2 hours and 55 minutes, I feared boredom and stupidity. But I was proven wrong! I’m a sucker for Pattinson (and I never watched Twilight), but please get thee to a tv and… Continue reading Holy Intricate Super Hero Movie, Batman!
Cyrano…Peter, Hail the Station Agent
What do you do when your wife adapts a movie to give you work and due to lack of charisma of the other two stars, you are stuck? I’ve got to believe this is what happened to Peter Dinklage in Cyrano adapted by his wife Ericka Schmidt. I loved Dinklage in most of the film,… Continue reading Cyrano…Peter, Hail the Station Agent
I took in The Worst Person in the World a second time and found it even more charming
I took in The Worst Person in the World again (which coincidentally is also something I did literally from 1999 to 2006 #noregrets). The second time around gleaned these thoughts: a. The soundtrack is truly essential and amazing. And I had not realized “Waters of March” was done by Art Garfunkel. b. Andersen Danielsen Lie… Continue reading I took in The Worst Person in the World a second time and found it even more charming
Flee, Moving and Commendable
Immigration seems to be the new school shootings, meaning, most have heard so many stories, both news and renditions (American Dirt and Dreamers just to name one) that to make a documentary about the topic is risky due to public news fatigue. CLARIFICATION: to me, both topics are still VERY important and relevant. Further proof… Continue reading Flee, Moving and Commendable
I Found “A Hero”, Asghar Farhadi Award Worthiest
I didn’t sleep well last night, but the movie viewing of A Hero was worth the sleep deprivation. While I’m sure this weakness is not solely Sagittarius, I especially related to the movie’s main theme of no good deed goes unpunished. As demonstrated recently in “Red Rocket”, an emotionally engrossing movie always provokes me into… Continue reading I Found “A Hero”, Asghar Farhadi Award Worthiest
Parallel Mothers, Still on My Mission
Pedro Almodovar wrote and directed Parallel Mothers, a film I liked less than 2019’s Pain and Glory, but again, much like Drive My Car, I admit to cultural ignorance. First, I’m pro-cremation, so any story line about angst about family bodies being buried next to each other, does not tug my heart strings, disculpe. I… Continue reading Parallel Mothers, Still on My Mission
The Power of the Dog, Worthy of a Re-Watch
For my initial watch of The Power of the Dog, [and I truly want a re-watch as this movie has some hidden gem moments that hit you out of nowhere and are gone to quickly to be appreciated just once (the post wedding waltz, the Bronco Bill handkerchief scene, the smoking of the same cigarette… Continue reading The Power of the Dog, Worthy of a Re-Watch
Drive My Car, an OJ Pace and Mood Included
On behalf of the other nominees, let me apologize for the Golden Globes. I haven’t even seen you yet, you Parallel Mothers, you Compartment No. 6, you Hand of God, and you A Hero, but I already KNOW at least one of you would move me more than Drive My Car. The Golden Globe Award… Continue reading Drive My Car, an OJ Pace and Mood Included
The Lost Daughter, A Slippery Slope
I loved the book The Lost Daughter, as Elena Ferrante’s character wrestled with her wanderlust, her desire to excel professionally and experience midlife hedonism. But the movie? Not so much. The harsh visual reality of exasperated mothers who simply induce more needy children was deeply affecting, but in a depressing way. Adapted to screenplay and… Continue reading The Lost Daughter, A Slippery Slope
CODA, the Peanut Butter Falcon of 2021
My top ten is changing after seeing CODA last night. Goodbye West Side Story and hello CODA. Sian Heder’s written and directed movie (taken from the original French idea and version by Victoria Bedos’ The Belier Family) about the hearing daughter of a deaf family had me in tears several times. I haven’t been this… Continue reading CODA, the Peanut Butter Falcon of 2021
Test Pattern; a Glossy 4 by 6
I care about this blog AND your opinion AND having a dialogue about film. The comment system on this site is not working, but feel free to email comments at irun2eatpizza@hotmail.com. Watching Test Pattern was very good for me, even if I didn’t like the film. Here’s why: my New Year’s resolution is to get… Continue reading Test Pattern; a Glossy 4 by 6
Stephen is the Root-y in The Tragedy of MacBeth
While The Tragedy of MacBeth’s sound and cinematography are outstanding, along with OF COURSE, Denzel as a vision to behold and his flawless recitation of Shakespeare solidifies his G.O.A.T. status, in addition to an opposite but equally impressive way, as Frances takes her “I woke up like this” simplicity look and spins it into acting… Continue reading Stephen is the Root-y in The Tragedy of MacBeth
Red Rocket made me scream out loud, literally
Hopefully you’re savvy enough to get my review title’s double entendre which really did happen. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve said something out loud in a theater. The last time was during The Lighthouse when Willem DaFoe gave such a powerful monologue that I whisper said, “Oh my God”… Continue reading Red Rocket made me scream out loud, literally
Great Case Study, Good Starter Film: The Novice
The Novice, written and directed by Lauren Hadaway, reminds me of my counseling training days. If you suped up a OCD case study from the DSM-IV, you’d have The Novice. Unfortunately, case studies are just one note wonders, they don’t round out the person’s life, nor specifically detail impacts on a person’s life. It’s simply… Continue reading Great Case Study, Good Starter Film: The Novice
Don’t Look Up But Get Down with Your Sense of Humor
Don’t Look Up written (with the help of David Sirota: Guardian Contributor Bernie’s Speech Writer 2020) and directed by Adam McKay consists of a more star studded cast than can be held in the sky reported on by scientists Leo DeCaprio and Jen Lawrence. You name him/her/they and they are also in the movie: Streep,… Continue reading Don’t Look Up But Get Down with Your Sense of Humor
Time for a Year(2021)End Top Ten Films
2021 was a continuation of the best of times and the worst of times (aka pandemic thwarting the film experience), but obviously much improved. Henceforth, my picks (1 being my favorite) of my top 10 Films of 2021. If anyone else has the same rankings, please get in touch asap as that means I have… Continue reading Time for a Year(2021)End Top Ten Films
Licorice Pizza: Not Sugar Free, but the Diabetes is worth it
Licorice Pizza won’t ever be my favorite PT Anderson movie, but it was dog gone enjoyable. Call me all American, since what I like about Licorice Pizza is exactly what I didn’t like about Belfast. In the end, L.P. consists of gorgeous moments strung delicately together, like shiny romantic white lights in a dark room.… Continue reading Licorice Pizza: Not Sugar Free, but the Diabetes is worth it
Chemistry Counts: Guillermo No, Steven, Yes Sir!
(Write to me your comments and opinions at irun2eatpizza@hotmail.com) I did something I rarely do Friday when I chose walking out of Nightmare Alley over hari kari (now the latter would have been a carnival side show!). Just depression with all caps with zero chemistry between Mara and Cooper, as well as zippo for Cooper… Continue reading Chemistry Counts: Guillermo No, Steven, Yes Sir!
Feelings and Honesty: C’mon C’mon
C’mon C’mon written and directed by Mike Mills is a film everyone should see, but probably won’t. This is VERY UNFORTUNATE, given that Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s 1965 song, ‘what the world needs now is love sweet love, it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of” is still very relevant. Especially for… Continue reading Feelings and Honesty: C’mon C’mon
A Knockoff: House of Gucci
If you came out to my TALK BACK at Burns Court, THANK YOU. Comments won’t work on this blog site, but please email me at irun2eatpizza@hotmail.com with any comments on the movie, what you’d like to see in future talk backs, anything!! Yo Ridley, yes you, Mr Scott, Com’ere. And you, Becky Johnston, well, you… Continue reading A Knockoff: House of Gucci
Belfast; Rotten Potatoes, Heavy with Famine
Well, I can’t tell you why I don’t like Belfast that much because then I’d break my spoiler promise. Hence, I’ll give you some hints, and once you see it, please, by all means, write to me at irun2eatpizza@hotmail.com to guess the answer, or to agree or disagree with my premise. Let’s just say it… Continue reading Belfast; Rotten Potatoes, Heavy with Famine
Just one tiny tick too many…tick, tick Boom!
My favorite musical of all time is Rent, so I confess my bias upfront. For those of you not in the know, tick tick Boom is a both a musical by and basically a mini biopic of Jonathan Larson. My second favorite musical is Hamilton, so I obviously had a good feeling about tick tick… Continue reading Just one tiny tick too many…tick, tick Boom!
Spencer: First Choice for Re-watch
For those who grew up in a dysfunctional household where holidays were not quite ‘the most wonderful time of the year’, Spencer will feel like a walk down memory lane…And while some might choose The French Dispatch for best 2021 re-watch (and I’m game, genius creativity at too high rpms), given the choice I’d say… Continue reading Spencer: First Choice for Re-watch
French Dispatch, Just Ca Va
Wes Anderson’s French Dispatch reminds me of me when I’m trying to tell a long story or joke, I talk way too fast, lacking confidence or worried that the person’s listening is bored. So Wes, get thee to a therapist. You’re an artist, but you have to slow down the pace so we can enjoy… Continue reading French Dispatch, Just Ca Va
Dune: This Isn’t Quick Sand, It’s DEEP!
This may be a one time anomaly, when cinematography, sound, and acting override a basic story that’s been done (Star Wars) and done (Gladiator) and done (Avatar). But Dune, directed and written by Denis Villeneuve (who worked on Arrival, Sicario and Prisoners) with co-writers Joe Spaights and Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, Mank, Star is Born)… Continue reading Dune: This Isn’t Quick Sand, It’s DEEP!
Four, if Not Five, Movies in One: Bergman Island
Hey! Write to me at irun2eatpizza@hotmail.com since I can’t seem to work out the bugs of my comment section. I’ll write back and would love to hear your views! Bergman Island made my city of five years seem new again. I practically skipped home. Here’s why: Mia Hansen-Love’s film is basically five films in one… Continue reading Four, if Not Five, Movies in One: Bergman Island
Germans and Women win the weekend film contest: No Time To Cry
Sorry Cary Joji Fukunaga, Maria Schrader beat you in the writing and directing departments this weekend. In fact, let me count the ways… 1. Sex appeal: though the lead character of “I’m Your Man” (Maria Schrader’s film) wears librarian fashions, there is an actual passionate sex scene. Whereas James Bond, with the emotional range of… Continue reading Germans and Women win the weekend film contest: No Time To Cry
Azor: A Creeper with a Calendar
Thank goodness for the calendar in Azor, otherwise I would have not quite understood the full length of Andreas Fontana’s new drama. Let me help you out: the movie is based on 1980 when the government had essentially been overthrown and a period known as The National Reorganization Process took over in the form of… Continue reading Azor: A Creeper with a Calendar
A “Pig”‘s Pulchritude
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the adage applies to not only a person’s love for their pet as in Nicolas Cage’s syncopation with his truffle pig, but also my adoration for Cage’s acting career. Sure, his choices haven’t been ‘pretty’ at times, yet when he delivers a performance such as Pig… Continue reading A “Pig”‘s Pulchritude
Stillwater Runs Deep
I think the 70’s Rotten Tomatoes is unfair for the new film Stillwater, written by Oscar winner Tom McCarthy (Spotlight screenplay) as well as other awards for movies such as The Station Agent, Win Win and Up. Much like his previous films, McCarthy knows how to write a great story and here is one based… Continue reading Stillwater Runs Deep
Three Summers, Like a Tres Leches Cake, Tres Veroes
Pardon my bad Spanish analogy, but since I love Tres Leches cake, I thought I’d compare Tres Veroes, a fine movie written and directed by Sandra Kogut. First the perfect three part structure: Decembers of 2015, 2016, and 2017. 2015 begins with Mada, played brilliantly by Regina Case, as housekeeper/family caretaker to a wealthy Brazilian… Continue reading Three Summers, Like a Tres Leches Cake, Tres Veroes
God’s Own Country, a must see
Recently I was asked to co-host a program at our local Independent Theater Burns Court for the movie “Ammonite” which debuts November 13th. As a dutiful life long learner, I looked into the writer/director Francis Lee. Lo and behold, was a movie on his filmography I’d been meaning to watch starring one of my favorite… Continue reading God’s Own Country, a must see
A Girl Walks Into a Movie Theater…
A girl walks into a movie theater, intent on seeing Little Women, but just as I veer towards the men’s group at any Super Bowl party, the minute I heard a woman say how Little Women dripped a little too much maudlin, I spun and drove for a power lay up back into Uncut Gems.… Continue reading A Girl Walks Into a Movie Theater…
Uncut Gems: Sparkling!
Not sure how to write a review about a revelation without spoiling this film written by my cherished Safdie brothers (Good Time, Daddy Long Legs) and their writing partner Ronald Bronstein. BUT I will keep my promise!! Suffice to say it’s a must see and certainly breaks into my top ten at ‘lucky’ number 7… Continue reading Uncut Gems: Sparkling!
Sweetest Peanut Butter I’ve Ever Known
Hyperbole, schmyperbole, I’m jumping on The Peanut Butter Falcon Oscar bandwagon ready to throw non-breakables at the television should it not win several awards. Best Original Screenplay: Tyler Nilson and Mike Schwartz are the new Affleck/Damon, great storytelling and not a second of filler in the entire movie. My movie companion was dying to get… Continue reading Sweetest Peanut Butter I’ve Ever Known
Maiden: Using undertow as a verb
I’m declaring undertow as a verb, as in underdwhelmed, as in, ‘I got undertowed’ by the high praise for the documentary “Maiden”. I like the sound of it and hope to have it goes viral. Of course I’m saying this somewhat tongue in cheek. On the one hand, what the women on “Maiden” did, as… Continue reading Maiden: Using undertow as a verb
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