Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Melancholy romantic drama about two American women on holiday. They soon meet an artist who invites them to vacation with him for the weekend. After a trio of films in London, Allen continues his European fascination with this story set in Spain. Despite the beautiful location shooting, this is essentially your standard issue Woody Allen […]
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
Gut-wrenching documentary about Dr. Andrew Bagby, a resident in family practice in Latrobe, Pennsylvania who is shot to death by Shirley Turner, his unstable girlfriend. Soon after his murder, it is discovered that she is pregnant with his unborn child. This document would then serve as a memorial honoring the father little Zachary never knew. […]
Ip Man
Biography loosely based on Ip Man, grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun and early mentor to actor Bruce Lee. Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen plays the legendary martial artist. He presents him as a humble man who lives in an unobtrusive manner. His understated performance adds significantly to this character driven film. Yen’s […]
Bronson
Bizarre account of the “most violent prisoner in Britain” Michael Peterson who was re-named Charles Bronson, after the American film star, by his fight promoter. Strikingly photographed crime drama is highly stylized. Bronson frequently narrates the action from a vaudevillian stage, facing an audience. His bloody bare knuckle brawls with prison guards are a frequent, […]
Séraphine
Period drama uses the “tortured genius” blueprint to tell the story of Séraphine Louis, a mentally disturbed housekeeper, with a secret passion to paint. A self-taught outsider to the art world, her works were highlighted by intricately ornate floral arrangements. Sadly, she such is a quiet, withdrawn woman, her personality fails to engage as […]
The Good, the Bad, the Weird
Shallow adventure about a thief, a hitman, and a bounty hunter all vying to find a treasure map. Starting with that title, this ho-hum Korean western is clearly upfront about being inspired by the Sergio Leone classic. The concept is unique, I mean a Spaghetti Western from South Korea, set in 1930s Manchuria, is pretty […]
The Square
A twist-filled thriller about an adulterous couple’s scheme to steal a bag of cash. Infidelity and greed are the themes explored here. Naturally the cheating lovers’ best laid plans go horribly awry, as is always the case in movies like this. The brilliance of this neo-noir from Australia is how the action gradually unfolds, drawing […]
Four Christmases
After their flight is canceled, a happily unmarried couple is forced to spend Christmas with each of their four parents, all in one day. Mayhem ensues. The story has some humorous moments here and there, but this material is way below the best work of actors Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Jon Voight and Mary Steenburgen […]
Sugar
Fictional biography of a Dominican baseball player who is invited to try out in U.S. minor leagues, with the ultimate dream to play in the majors. Engrossing journey of our hero, Miguel ‘Sugar’ Santos takes us to places we do not expect to go in a typical sports drama. The events may not always be […]
Wendy and Lucy
Road movie about a down on her luck woman whose car breaks down in Oregon on her way to Alaska. Michele Williams gives an intimate, heartbreaking performance as Wendy, the woman who continues to experience one setback after another with only her faithful dog, Lucy, to keep her company. Film’s low key, deliberate pace may […]