Innovative, but Obscure: “The Last Black Man in San Francisco”

It’s no surprise that “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” is garnering rave reviews. The film speaks to pertinent societal concerns, race relations both inter and intra, gentrification, environmental ruin and the breakdown of the American family. And it’s also adventurously shot, with wide pan outs of skate boarders on San Fran’s famous topography,… Continue reading Innovative, but Obscure: “The Last Black Man in San Francisco”

That’s not thunder, it’s Hitchcock applauding: Once Upon A Time in Hollywood

Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is Tarantino’s penultimate movie to date; finally a substantive story over ridiculous violence. Granted, he packs the latter in at the ending, but Miss Violent Images No Mas hid merrily behind a sweatshirt. And when I’ve been entranced by beautifully portrayed good guys cleaning the clocks of well written… Continue reading That’s not thunder, it’s Hitchcock applauding: Once Upon A Time in Hollywood

Dear Riley Stearns, Please Hire Me: The Art of Self-Defense

After listening to a Riley Stearns interview, the writer and director of “The Art of Self-Defense” talk about his favorite comedies, one obscure one that’s also on my list of greats (Wes Anderson’s “The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou”), I skipped and frolicked to see his film last night at Hollywood 11. Dead pan humor… Continue reading Dear Riley Stearns, Please Hire Me: The Art of Self-Defense

A Double Feature of Creeps: Part Uno

Fitting to recent real life soulless wonders in many ways, I’ve witnessed a double play of cinematic creepiness this week. First, I’m glad to say that people have become hip to the Sarasota Film Society’s vintage warehouse at 500 Tallevast Road as it was packed last Saturday for Hitchcock’s Psycho from 1960. And confession, I… Continue reading A Double Feature of Creeps: Part Uno

The Movie Drought’s Over: Echo in the Canyon

Echo in the Canyon written by Eric Barrett and Andrew Slater (who also directed the doc) is a glorious celebration of the California music scene in Laurel Canyon in the late 60’s and 70’s. You know a documentary is great when you have no relation to the concept and yet you’re still enraptured. My first… Continue reading The Movie Drought’s Over: Echo in the Canyon

“The Fall of the Amercian Empire”, Denys Arcand is only half Woke

I’m new to Denys Arcand, having just seen “The Fall of the American Empire” at Burns Court. The film was stimulating enough that I’ll check out his earlier work. I’ll probably start with the Academy Award winner from 2003 “The Barbarian Invasion” (which won the Oscar for best foreign film in 2003), but I’m also… Continue reading “The Fall of the Amercian Empire”, Denys Arcand is only half Woke

“Yesterday”, I Had A Headache

Yesterday is an awkward film that actually displays more about what’s wrong with society all the while thinking that it’s cute. Hence, my headache, but like a heart ache since I know many male bashers will find this charming, and I say nearly choking, romantic. First, in an age where we’re allegedly embracing globalism, why… Continue reading “Yesterday”, I Had A Headache