Persian Version: Effective Narrative

Persian Version, written and directed by Maryam Keshavarz is a moving based-on-a-true story film. The film garnered two prizes this year at Sundance for both screenwriting and as a drama. The actresses who play mother and daughter (Niousha Noor and Layla Mohammadi respectively) issued robust and believable performances. Iranian women have been through some things… Continue reading Persian Version: Effective Narrative

Priscilla: Edward Hopper Level Design, Finger Paint Story

I understand that Priscilla’s life included a lot of isolation with intermittent bells and whistles. And that’s exactly what Sofia Coppola’s easy on the eye movie portrayed. However, this is the movie industry and I feel the story could have included more spice. I mean, wasn’t their sex life ever exciting? Even one roll in… Continue reading Priscilla: Edward Hopper Level Design, Finger Paint Story

Killers of the Flower Moon: About Damn Time

With appreciation to Lizzo for the song title “About Damn Time”, the title fits this review in two ways. First and and foremost, God bless David Grann who wrote the original book and Martin Scorsese for adapting it with Eric Roth. Even more so, to decide instead of a police/FBI procedural to depict the interior… Continue reading Killers of the Flower Moon: About Damn Time

She Came to Me (and said, now THIS is screenwriting)

Consider me super relieved that Peter Dinklage redeemed himself from the awful Cyrano debacle. But it’s Rebecca Miller who I really have to thank, and since I’m in a familial thankful mood, also props to her father Arthur, who provided her with the creative genes to write and direct She Came to Me. First, she… Continue reading She Came to Me (and said, now THIS is screenwriting)

Manhattan Short Film Festival Takes

I may have just spaced out on The Manhattan Short Film Festival in the past seeing as how this year marks its 26th annual year. Admittedly, I’m not a short movie fan, feeling the same way about music fests, and even food buffets; I’m a fidelity gal, rather absorbing a longer film, larger amount of… Continue reading Manhattan Short Film Festival Takes

Dumb Money Could Have Been Smarter

Craig Gillespie has moved me in the past with I, Tonya and Pam & Tommy. Dumb Money though simply skims the surface in regard to character development and basic exposition. Paul Dano is an acting God. I have followed his career from There Will Be Blood to Love & Mercy to Dumb Money. I even… Continue reading Dumb Money Could Have Been Smarter

Golda: Nerves of Steel, Worth the Reel

Fickle critics who panned Golda (written by Nicholas Martin and directed by Guy Nattiv) must be a literal bunch as I really enjoyed the atmospheric slice of life biopic. Speaking for myself, I’m done with war carnage scenes and feel just as moved by the music and human screams invoked in Golda. So I applaud… Continue reading Golda: Nerves of Steel, Worth the Reel

Worth a Mention at 50: American Graffiti

In spite of warnings that American Graffiti was a lame early George Lucas production, I ventured forth, knowing my Mom who grew up in the 1950’s and 60’s of which the story is set, would at least appreciate the time travel. And of course, I’ll show my bias for all the 1970 movie stars, most… Continue reading Worth a Mention at 50: American Graffiti

Passages: Hey Mikey, She Likes It!

Stop the presses, for once I like a movie more than the New York Times. In fact, Amy Nicholson was downright harsh. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t LOVE Passages. But I did appreciate and even knowingly shake my head in understanding and remembering my second marriage which had an eerily similar dynamic of a… Continue reading Passages: Hey Mikey, She Likes It!