Category: Uncategorized

Force Majeure and Brene`Brown’s The Courage to Be Vulnerable

Force Majeure is so original that I wonder why it’s missing from Oscar’s best foreign films nominations. The acting and sound design were impeccable. And while running this morning, listening to NPR’s On Being, I realized the importance of an important theme that may be lost in the shuffle of the film’s moral question: when… Continue reading Force Majeure and Brene`Brown’s The Courage to Be Vulnerable

The American Sniper Question; the man, technology’s decimation or age’s wrath?

Here’s the deal: I saw the 73% Rotten Tomatoes, but wanted to see ‘American Sniper’ anyway. Was the percentage accurate? I guess so, considering Cooper’s acting performance and the sand storm scene which were both well executed. Yet the story lacked those moments that evoke sentiment, other than the obvious, ‘war is hell’. Other peripheral… Continue reading The American Sniper Question; the man, technology’s decimation or age’s wrath?

Frank-ly Give a Damn and a Half

Reminiscent of my recent “The Drop” experience, the movie “Frank”, directed by Lenny Abrahamson, leads to a slow boil. And while The Drop’s after effects were more about character and acting appreciation, my post Frank experience carried more emotion, especially when I saw the birth and death dates of the real Frank, Chris Sievey’s (1955-2010).… Continue reading Frank-ly Give a Damn and a Half

Craig Johnson & Ej Manuel, any relation?

I saw Skeleton Twins at an almost empty theater on a freakishly gorgeous Sunday for Rochester, New York. The Bills were going down to the Texans during my film immersion and I wondered after if Craig Johnson, co-writer of Skeleton Twins was fall guy for the oddly paced first half of the movie. I tend… Continue reading Craig Johnson & Ej Manuel, any relation?

Labor (Day) of Love, Battle of the Two Indies: Land-Ho and A Short History of DK

For school teachers, Labor Day weekend is the last chance at running with the bulls, before the 40 week long monastery cloister. And while I’m on the topic of ‘get thee to a nunnery’ (Shakespeare’s Hamlet), may I beg anyone in driving distance to Geneva, New York, to PLEASE get to the Smith Opera House,… Continue reading Labor (Day) of Love, Battle of the Two Indies: Land-Ho and A Short History of DK

Sophie Fienne’s Documentary “The Pervert’s Guide to Ideology”

What’s not to like about Slavoj’s Zizek’s “The Pervert’s Guide to Ideology” (available on Netflix) which had its Rochester, New York premier at the majestic George Eastman House Dryden Theater on May 17th? And yet how do I impart the vast knowledge that Sociology and Psychology Scholar Zizek imparted in his two hour plus documentary?… Continue reading Sophie Fienne’s Documentary “The Pervert’s Guide to Ideology”

Jim Jarmusch: Only Lovers Left Awake (Alive)

Despite being somewhat disentranced through much of Only Lovers Left Alive, I did enjoy the film. Jarmusch made darkness and despair look attractive, proof of his early trainiing at Columbia, NYU and Cinematheque Francasie. The sets were gorgeous even in their centuries old accumulation of books and instruments. Romance exists even in dimly lit disorganization… Continue reading Jim Jarmusch: Only Lovers Left Awake (Alive)

Le Weekend: How Do I Loathe Thee, Let Me Bark the Ways

Ok, my title isn’t true to the film’s last fifteen minutes, but I couldn’t resist. Le Weekend’s directed by Roger Mitchell (never saw his other films, Notting Hill being one) and stars Jim Broadbent (from my favorite Moulin Rouge), Lindsay Duncan (a new actress to me, but could play Julie Delphy’s mother in a heartbeat, … Continue reading Le Weekend: How Do I Loathe Thee, Let Me Bark the Ways

Mistaken for Strangers, Sibling Rivalry Galore!

Having been quite jealous when my little brother ‘showed up’ when I was just 3, I was fascinated with the documentary “Mistaken for Strangers” about The National’s lead singer Matt Berninger and his younger un-leaded brother Tom. (Aside, I love my brother to death, see photo of us as concert chums for Paul Simon and… Continue reading Mistaken for Strangers, Sibling Rivalry Galore!