Did you know Sing Sing is from the Native American language which means stone on stone and that after Edison introduced the electric chair there in 1903 that the town changed its name to Ossining as to not be confused with the jail? And did you also know that while Joker Deux (or whatever the… Continue reading Sing Sing Had me at Sing
Tag: Sarasota Film Society
Between Two Temples: An Homage to Humans
Here’s a litmus test: if you see the uplifting new film by Nathan Silver and think ‘it’s weird’, you may just need to exit social media and start connecting with human beings on a face to face level. I’m just being honest here. Because if you call people simply being idiosyncratic, or constantly evolving from… Continue reading Between Two Temples: An Homage to Humans
Don’t Listen to the Critics: Dance First, Think Later
Don’t listen to the critics, which could be advice for triple causes: for Samuel Beckett, the subject of Dance First who was never good enough for his mother, for viewers who might read reviews and think they should pass on this wonderful film by James Marsh starring Gabriel Byrne, and heck for any person out… Continue reading Don’t Listen to the Critics: Dance First, Think Later
Touch (ed Me Deeply)
As a retired English teacher, I’ve been burned so many times on books adapted to movies, Fahrenheit 451 (speaking of burned-Oh Truffaut!), Cold Mountain, etc. etc., I was downright wary when I saw the rather dull trailer for Touch (book by Olaf Olafsson). But alas, my fear was just a fault of who developed the… Continue reading Touch (ed Me Deeply)
Janet Planet, What in the World?
I may be related to Annie Baker, since her debut movie Janet Planet is a globalist perspective film, to the beat of a different drummer project like I might do. Janet Planet employs a passionate slapped on sculpture technique where you can feel the mass amount of thought and work to get to a final… Continue reading Janet Planet, What in the World?
Daddio Rests on Two Strong Acting Pillars
If it weren’t for the glow of Dakota Johnson and the antique gold of Sean Penn, Daddio might be a bit of a yawn. Don’t get me wrong, the story is well done, but almost as more of a short than a full length film. But the messages are definitely important and necessary. One: connect… Continue reading Daddio Rests on Two Strong Acting Pillars
Wildcat ushers two new words for A.I.: Artistic & Inspirational
Wildcat, an artistic avenue to take for the sad old tire called the biopic, was written by Shelby Gaines and Ethan Hawke, and also directed by the latter. Based on the tortured life of Flannery O’Connor, the film stars Maya Hawke, Ethan’s daughter, Laura Linney, Cooper Hoffan, Steve Zahn and even a cameo by Liam… Continue reading Wildcat ushers two new words for A.I.: Artistic & Inspirational
Give a Guy a (Coup de) Chance
While I didn’t love Coup de Chance, I always want to respect my elders, especially those with brilliant comic minds. And while mountains of propaganda have been used to turn the U.S. against Woody Allen, few have done the due diligence to weigh other options such as a scorned woman who manipulates her children to… Continue reading Give a Guy a (Coup de) Chance
The Beast: Past, Present and Few…Days Away
Like the writer and director Bertrand Bonello, the present AI situation is already spooky. So much so, he framed one third of his film The Beast in 2044. He said he’d never do it again though because in reality, by the time the film was finished, he felt 2044 looked more like 2027. The film… Continue reading The Beast: Past, Present and Few…Days Away
Perfect Days Review in Tribute to my Grandma
My Grandma, Florence C. Baker, passed away in the middle of the night. And since my last cinema therapy run was to Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days (co-written with Takuma Takasaki), I wanted to pay tribute to my grandmother’s life, which is oddly similar to the main character’s, played heroically by Koji Yakusho. My Grandma Florence… Continue reading Perfect Days Review in Tribute to my Grandma