The Taste of Things
In a perplexing move, France opted to submit The Taste of Things for consideration at the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. Apparently, the overwhelming buzz surrounding Anatomy of a Fall — which had already clinched the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May — wasn’t enough. The decision seemed especially […]
Rustin
“Who the heck is Rustin?” Initially, the title had me scratching my head. However, I soon discovered that this is a biography of Bayard Rustin, a seldom acknowledged but pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement. His most significant achievement was orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, a landmark event […]
The Zone of Interest
The Zone of Interest unfolds within the utopian confines of a splendid villa of a German family. Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) and his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller) reside there with their five children. The atmosphere exudes tranquility as the two-story building stands amidst a meticulously landscaped garden and greenhouse, where Hedwig dedicates herself to cultivating […]
American Fiction
Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Jeffrey Wright) is a writer and English professor. Yet his novels don’t sell. “They want a Black book,” Monk’s agent Arthur (John Ortiz), tells him. ”They have a Black book,” Monk says. “I’m Black, and it’s my book.” He’s irritated by the perpetuation of stereotypes and clichés about African American life in the […]
Fallen Leaves
Fallen Leaves may be set in 2024, but it’s a timeless saga that resonates far beyond ephemeral constraints. These emotions and struggles endure across any era. Finnish director and screenwriter Aki Kaurismäki (Le Havre) threatened to retire after The Other Side of Hope came out in 2017, but fortuitously, that didn’t happen. This is the […]
The Boys in the Boat
The Boys in the Boat glides through the water with nary a ripple. The latest directorial effort from George Clooney (The Ides of March, The Monuments Men) is based on the 2013 non-fiction book by Daniel James Brown. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, our true-life saga follows the journey of the University […]
The Color Purple
From its origins as a powerful Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, it became a critically acclaimed 1985 film directed by Steven Spielberg, garnering 11 Oscar nominations. The drama then found its way to the stage as a Broadway musical in 2005, which inspired this cinematic adaptation of that show. Blitz Bazawule (Black is King) […]
Maestro
The cinematography is exquisite, the direction is assured, and the acting is top-notch. And yet, this biopic left me wondering why is Leonard Bernstein such a big deal? Of course, I know the simple answer to that question. He was the first American-born conductor to receive international acclaim, but Bernstein was oh so much more […]
All of Us Strangers
Adam (Andrew Scott) is a lonely screenwriter living in a mostly empty London high-rise. One night, a similarly forlorn tenant named Harry (Paul Mescal) knocks at his door. The handsome Harry drunkenly flirts with him. Adam is tempted, but he rebuffs his advances. Soon after, Adam is inspired to revisit the suburban neighborhood where he […]
She Came to Me
When asked what the most unappreciated movie of 2023 was, She Came to Me is the clearcut winner. It isn’t even close. Nobody saw it, and most critics dismissed it. But this little romantic comedy weaves a touching depiction of various lives into a compelling chronicle that illustrates the power of humanity. Opera! Tug boats!! […]