Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers in the world, particularly for his ability to show the beauty and humanity of the common man. According to many film historians, this idea was best exemplified in his Proletariat trilogy, which ran from 1986-1990. Each of the three films (Shadows in Paradise, Ariel, … Continue reading Alone Together – Fallen Leaves
A little over 15 years ago, the Quentin Tarantino-Robert Rodriguez horror concept anthology film, Grindhouse, debuted in theatres. Paying homage to 1970s exploitation movies and the less than glamorous showrooms where they screened, the project consisted of two feature-length segments, Planet Terror and Death Proof, separated by stylized fictitious trailers that reveled in their B-movie … Continue reading A Gory Feast – Thanksgiving
I'm something of an outlier when it comes to soccer. In the U.S., it's one of the most popular sports for kids, but as children get older, they tend to lose interest, opting for the "Big 4" type games (baseball, basketball, football, hockey). For me, however, it was the exact opposite. I hated it as … Continue reading Match Fixing – Next Goal Wins
While watching Kristoffer Borgli's new film, Dream Scenario, I spent a good amount of time thinking about a completely different movie, Disney's Cinderella (the original animated film, not blasphemous remake #410). Specifically my mind keyed in on one of the better songs from the flick, "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes." It kept … Continue reading Wake Up – Dream Scenario
There's a tantalizing intrigue to Switzerland's Oscar entry, Thunder, that keeps the viewer engaged throughout its relatively short runtime. Like the most enticing yet cruelest tease, the 90-minute affair is slowly drawn out, begging for an almost orgasmic release, a catharsis in the form of satisfying answers to the heavy questions it poses. Is there … Continue reading A Sister’s Act – Thunder
The writing has been on the wall for quite a while now. Ever since Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe began, the onslaught of diminishing returns has brought us to this inflection point. There have been a couple of bright spots, mostly from fan service films that served as closure for beloved characters that … Continue reading RIP MCU – The Marvels
Last year, Baz Luhrmann's Elvis became quite the hit, receiving several Oscar nominations and taking in nearly $300 million at the box office. The film attempted to show the whirlwind of money, music, and mischief that made up Elvis Presley's existence, filtered through Luhrmann's hyperactive and bombastic style. I was, to say the least, not … Continue reading Doll Parts – Priscilla
American audiences are more than aware of the threat that Kim Jong-un represents as the dictator of North Korea. We lived through the presidency of Donald Trump, where the first year or so was spent antagonizing the "Dear Leader" of the nuclear-armed regime, all but daring him to attack us, before cozying up to the … Continue reading The Escape Plan – Beyond Utopia
To say that there is social discord in the world is to make the understatement of the moment. Two hot wars are going on in Israel and Ukraine, authoritarianism is on the ascent, and this week the former President of this country - who is facing over 90 felony counts across four jurisdictions along with … Continue reading Family Therapy – Four Daughters
It's been a long time since we've had a truly great movie set at Christmastime that can be viewed as both a holiday treat and something to enjoy the rest of the year. A large part of that is due to the over-commercialization of the season, obviously. Year in and year out we get an … Continue reading A Roman Holiday – The Holdovers
I Actually Paid To See This 