Netflix and Beyond

There are times when a few lines are enough to achieve “brevity”, with a dash of “soul”, a smattering of “wit”. “MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS”,  The perfect recipe comprised of every iconic, universal savior: “The Iron Man” (Robert Downey, Jr.; “Captain America” (Chris Evans); “The Incredible Hulk” (Mark Ruffalo); “Thor” (Chris Hemsthorth) the Norse god of thunder and lightening, wields his ... Read More »

“India, India, India, five letters, three syllables flows off the tongue, adheres to the mind, is an aphrodisiac for many, venom for a few”; India, a country of extremes, either embraces or repels; neutrality, anathema.” I wrote this summary after my third visit to this country that has imprisoned my spirit and continues to lure me back to its  infinitesimal ... Read More »

Wins the first round of the playoffs as one of the worst films of 2012. Two fine actors, Emily Blunt and Jason Segal are “Violet and “Tom” , excruciatingly saccharine, superficial lovers unable to exchange vows. Why did the audience have to be crucified on their cross of ineptitude?   They mew, fawn, babble endearments (at tooth- ache intensity); she refers ... Read More »

This enchanting, compelling film is a slice of reality served poignantly by writer and director Philippe Falardeau, based on the play by Evelyne de la Cheneliere addressing  loss, trauma, guilt; young and mature souls , seeking a curative redemption. “Monsieur Lazhar” (magnificently and sensitively portrayed by Mohamed Fellag) an Algerian immigrant, is hired as a substitute teacher after a beloved ... Read More »

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) has fascinated me my entire life; an attraction/repulsion whose tentacles have permanently enslaved my lust for the macabre.  His ghoulish, gruesome tales; the “stuff” of nightmares, reflecting his tortured spirit are offset by poetry so magnificently beautiful, spiritual that huge passages have resided comfortably in my memory bank. John Cusack is credible as the crazed, alcoholic, ... Read More »

This fascinating psychological study will leave you pondering long after its conclusion. Personally, I have never given much thought to the job description of the “Pope”; realize he has over a billion “employees” with benefits; monumental “infallibility”, as  the replacement for Simon/ Peter (first Pope), it is impossible for him to error in matters of Church dogma. This is stress ... Read More »

My first thought was of Frank Sinatra’s song of living his life, conquering massive professional and emotional hurdles, thriving on his terms, in hindsight, satisfied. “My Way” is Kang Je-gyg’s epic of WWII from the Korean/ Japanese perspective; at times melodramatic, testing one’s believability in the quasi nonfictional story of two young men, privileged and poor, wizards at running, competing ... Read More »

Why did this well- written, decently- performed anachronism of a deceased era,  bore me to oblivion? College women in 50’s garb running a suicide prevention clinic; clinging to the mission of saving the sanity, with doughnuts,  of those who have not shown an ounce of intellectual integrity or ingenuity in accomplishing the feat on their own. Or the rescue of ... Read More »

“Bully” bravely address pubescent tormentors, ten and eleven- year -olds torturing their peers, ultimately, in some cases driving them to suicide. This is an epidemic of epic proportions; a disease that kills, maims permanently its victims and perpetrators. Why? How do we find the root of this groundless cruelty? What toxin to kill the source and fertilize a healthy remedy? ... Read More »

Kudos to the Film and Cinema Department of Columbia College, Chicago and to the unbiased referee Ronald Falzone for creating a movie, memory moment. Featuring Lars von Trier’s “Melancholia”. Contenders Patrick McDonald (HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM) and Penelope Steiner (www.peneflix.com) ducked it out, wounds inflicted, blessedly not fatal; civility reigned and all enjoyed the fun, feisty debate. The real stars were the youthful ... Read More »