“Louder Than Bombs” would more appropriately be called “Lesser than Perfect”. Still merit worthy, Joachim Trier’s LTB stars the actor I came late to the party to-Gabriel Byrne. Stress fractured and laid up, I borrowed the since cancelled HBO series “In Treatment” and fell head over heels with the brooding Irishman. In LTB, he plays… Continue reading Lesser not Louder
Cheadle, Linklater and…Atencio?
I realize my title is like that old Sesame Street game “Which of these directors doesn’t belong?” Read on… A frenetic schedule forces me to do a threesome here, if only to preserve reading time for The New Yorker and Theresa Rebeck staring at me as I type. Miles Ahead, directed by Don Cheadle took… Continue reading Cheadle, Linklater and…Atencio?
Ain’t No Holla Back for Hologram for a King
It’s tough to write a blog about film this week, since I’ve been main lining Prince music for the past 48 hours. But when your Dad calls and only has 5 hours to spend with you and wants to do a movie, you rise to the occasion. Hence, the safe Dad choice: Tom Hanks. And… Continue reading Ain’t No Holla Back for Hologram for a King
This is Where I leave You- in the Dumpster
Jonathan Tropper, don’t care to meet him. He threw everything but the kitchen sink, wait no, there was a sink, too, my mood as I spent three log days watching segments before getting ill each time from utter schlock syndrome. Sure, I’m a day late (more like a year) and a dollar short (more like… Continue reading This is Where I leave You- in the Dumpster
In Her Own Words
First a funny aside: “In my own words” was what I wrote at the request of the Yearbook Director as I retire from teaching this June. After writing a six sentence blurb (1 sentence per every 5 years if yo do the math), I received an email back, asking, ‘can you condense it?’. An ironic… Continue reading In Her Own Words
Hello, My Name is Flourished (with delight!)
sally field Hello My Name is Doris was fantastic! I was reminded of just how endearing Ms. Field is and what I could possibly do to channel some Sally! I think it boils down to this: first her name imbues joy. I’ve known a few Sally’s in my life and they’ve all been the sweetest.… Continue reading Hello, My Name is Flourished (with delight!)
Embrace the Serpent, Small Hug at Best
At the risk of appearing shallow, I have to say Embrace the Serpent wasn’t as awe inspiring as some reported (or nominated as in the Oscars). Maybe it was the cardboard performance of Brionne Davis, who in an authentically created South America filmed beautifully in black and white, here comes a guy who looks like… Continue reading Embrace the Serpent, Small Hug at Best
Something Borrowed, Something Bronze: “The Bronze”
For shame Rotten Tomatoes…12%? You must be watching too many negative political stories. Sure The Bronze is totally inappropriate at times, but it’s that Bad Santa wrong that pays off so well in the end. Written by the lead actress and her husband (Melissa Rauch and the hubby that took her last name, Winston Rauch)… Continue reading Something Borrowed, Something Bronze: “The Bronze”
Mustang; Classic Car, Even Better Movie
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2305825536/tt3966404?ref_=ttmd_md_pv# “Mustang” is a compelling film written and directed by Deniz Gamze Ergurven that garnered several film festival awards. To the Oscar judges, “Mustang” must have produced a 12 Angry (white) Men conundrum before said group finally decided on “Son of Saul” as the victor. If I had a daughter, and she was over 16,… Continue reading Mustang; Classic Car, Even Better Movie
The Lady in the Van (down by the river)
Who doesn’t think of the phrase ‘down by the river’ when you hear the prepositional phrase IN A VAN? In fact, not to get too far off the mark, I’ve thought of Chris Farley skits three times in the last week: motivational speaker here, the Gap girls-inspired by the Aunt Alexandra social hour in To… Continue reading The Lady in the Van (down by the river)