Before I do my deep dive into the meaning and reviews of these two independent films (The Comedy and Holy Motors both from 2012), let me take a crack at the meaning of each. To preface though, it’s pretty coincidental that they came out the same year though that may be where the similarities end.… Continue reading Two Peas (or Indies) in a Pod: “The Comedy” and “Holy Motors”
Category: independent drama
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
Limbo: an eye opening look at refugees
Limbo, written and directed by Ben Sharrock, is a BAFTA nominated and even more importantly, one of the first films debuted in the post Covid, reopened Burns Court Cinema! Limbo takes a granular look at individuals in refugee crisis, specifically four men stuck in limbo on a Scottish island awaiting asylum approval. The four men… Continue reading Limbo: an eye opening look at refugees
Nomadland, Important Social Cause, Mildly Impactful Flick
Somewhere along the way Frances McDormand got sucked in. Sucked into the anger and melancholia of social causes. Mind you, in a thin photo finish rival with environmental problems, displaced and disregarded, homelessness is a major problem…but I digress. I guess my main question is: if an actress continues to portray characters of real life… Continue reading Nomadland, Important Social Cause, Mildly Impactful Flick
Malcolm & Marie, Ladies Before Gentlemen
Ok, I made a choice this weekend to avoid cancer (as in Our Friend) and instead chose a Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf one percenter first world problems debate in Malcom and Marie. Why you ask? Sam Levinson, who produced Pieces of a Woman, wrote and directed Malcolm & Marie, that’s why. And I both… Continue reading Malcolm & Marie, Ladies Before Gentlemen
Eternal Beauty, Talented Writer/Director
Craig Roberts wrote and directed Eternal Beauty starring the incandescent Sally Hawkins. She could make almost any script look good, but all she had to do was bring her A game given the poignant, well drawn dysfunctional family comedy/drama. With the help of another new, dare I predict future Oscar nominated, actor David Thewlis (Golden… Continue reading Eternal Beauty, Talented Writer/Director
A Confession of True Romance
I had better things to do in 1993, having had my precious son during that year, 27 years ago. And I was a Tarantino naysayer up until Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, his old stuff being too rough for my silky blood. But now that I’m older and more jaded (and can mute and… Continue reading A Confession of True Romance
Wisdom in the Babyteeth
I admired and enjoyed Babyteeth written by Rita Kalnejas (also known for Ghostrider) and directed by Shannon Murphy. The complex narrative combined with super uniuqely lit shots made the two hours and change time line fly by. The convincing actors include (in order of my best to very good): Essie Davis as the caring but… Continue reading Wisdom in the Babyteeth
Hooray for something new! Never Rarely Sometimes
Eliza Hittman gorgeously wrote and directed Never Rarely Sometimes Always, available now for the price of two tickets at your living room tv screen. Not ideal conditions, I realize, but dang if this isn’t the best dramatic film I’ve seen this year. Please shoot me if Corpus Christie is my last ever movie theater experience… Continue reading Hooray for something new! Never Rarely Sometimes
A Worthy Contemplative Afternoon: The Chambermid
I can’t imagine being first time full length film director Lila Aviles, when she realized The Chambermaid was in competition with Roma. Both movies follow the life of a servant; the former domestic, the latter, hotel. A tennis analogy might be best: like Coco playing Venus this year, yet with the opposite ending result. As… Continue reading A Worthy Contemplative Afternoon: The Chambermid