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
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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
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
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
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
A Love Song: Gorgeous
I missed A Love Song when it appeared at Burns Court this past spring, but had heard from a good friend that it was profound. On my Delta flight to Rochester, it was the perfect chance to see if this was hyperbole. But profound is apt. Dale Dickey is a triumph as the middle-aged lead… Continue reading A Love Song: Gorgeous
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
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
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)