Director Tom Ford eponymous style resonates in fashion, jewelry and film; “Nocturnal Animals” reflects his inimitable visual, artistic, innovative, imaginative skills. Commencing with a video of a Botero-like nude, corpulent, garishly painted model, lustily gyrating, salaciously stunning, hypnotizing viewers at a high-end art gallery in Los Angeles; “Susan” (commanding presence of Amy Adams) the proprietor of the gallery is a ... Read More »
Fascinating study revolving around life’s decisions; “what if’s”, second chances, “would we, could we do it all again?”. Director Denis Villeneuve’s “Arrival” is vastly more than a science fiction, alien invasion film; on the surface, it is simplistic, the earth has been invaded by hovering egg-shaped saucers; intent?, friend or foe? Louise, (brilliant, subtle, heartbreaking performance by Amy Adams) a ... Read More »
Thousands of lives were claimed in the battle for Hacksaw Ridge, Okinawa, Japan, 1945; Mel Gibson’s stunning, at times sensational film, based on the life of Desmond Doss (1919-2006), a bona fide conscientious objector, is brutally, savagely told. Desmond Doss, remarkably depicted by Andrew Garfield, in a profound, prescient performance. Doss, the son of an alcoholic, abusive father, a veteran ... Read More »
Marvel mania continues to dominate box office sales; Benedict Cumberbatch and Mads Mikkelsen as beacons of good and evil, give intense, strenuous performances, but unfortunately cannot salvage the plot from sinking into stale, repetitive versions of marvel movies of the past; shades of “Inception”, “Superman”, “Spider-Man”. Wizardry abounds when megalomaniac, arrogant neurosurgeon “Dr. Stephen Strange’s” (Cumberbatch) hands are mutilated in ... Read More »
From inception human beings are blessed with the distinction of knowing right from wrong; maturity hones the ability to further recognize the differentiation; in actuality the path followed comes down to one’s “choice”; “Moonlight”, directed by Barry Jenkins is a remarkable masterpiece, focusing on “Chiron” and three phases of his life, from boyhood to manhood (efficaciously acted by Alex Hibbert, ... Read More »
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, exponentially it does: “STARLESS DREAMS”; IRAN. Powerful, disturbing documentary by director Mehrdad Oskovei, takes place in a juvenile detention center on the outskirts of Tehran; female murderers, thieves, prostitutes, drug-addicted, homeless; the oldest is seventeen. The result of a male-dominated, sharia law society where women are chattel, without a voice, ... Read More »
There has never been a better Festival in the history of “Festdom”. In the last three days I have visited eleven films, a myriad of countries, and on a five-star rating, the lowest star bestowed was a four. Here are a few, that presented with the opportunity, should be seen: “SWEET DREAMS”; ITALY/FRANCE. A mesmerizing, enchanting story of devastating ... Read More »
An exhilarating week infused with exceptionally fine films, thanks to the prescience of our Founder Michael Kutza and Programmer Mimi Plauche. Here are a few more to add to your viewing pleasure: “THE STUDENT”; RUSSIA. Director Kirill Serbrennikov stuns with his protagonist “Venya” whose religious fundamentalism has gone berserk; his rants, focusing on the gospels, become more frantic, belligerent, ... Read More »
This is an outrageously gluttonous cinematic time, and I imbibe to the fullest. Nine films into the festival, here is a sample of “must sees”: “La La Land”; USA. Gifted Director Damien Chazelle splays across the wide screen a vivid, reminiscent musical; shades of the 40’s with stunning performances by Ryan Gosling and especially Emma Stone. Light-hearted, beautifully poignant and ... Read More »
Director Andrea Arnold’s (“Fish Tank”) “American Honey” is rough, gritty, ugly, disturbing and at times profoundly poetic, and I did not care for it. Puzzling when greatness dazzles and your natural instinct is to turn away. “Star” (sharp and poignant depiction by Sasha Lane) is eighteen, caring for two children,(there is a vagueness as to their bond, familial or otherwise) ... Read More »
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