Netflix and Beyond

Vic Muniz, the Brazilian artist and director Lucy Walker have produced an inspiring documentary pivotally engulfing the leitmotif, “to whom much is given, much is expected”. Mr. Muniz, a photographer, born into a financially depressed family in Brazil has experienced a meteoric rise in the contemporary art scene; he relishes his fame while totally embracing his heritage, his levity and ... Read More »

As I sat watching “The Eagle”, questioning the scarcity of my sanity, rationing of my reason, recognizing that once again my love of the spectacle, untreatable addiction to any historical or fictional references whether biblical: “The Ten Commandments”, “The Robe”,”Quo Vadis”, “The Last Temptation of Christ”, gladiatorial: “Ben Hur”, “The Gladiator” , “Spartacus”, roundtable: “Camelot”, “Excalibur”, “Knights of the Round ... Read More »

This spectacular visually titillating film from South Korea (written and directed by Im Sang-soo) is comparable to being a resident, for a brief hiatus, in a Richard Artschwager, Louise Lawler or Henri Rousseau painting. The setting, perfection in its pristine grandeur, frozen in immutable designer decor; a domicile of extreme wealth and galvanizing glory masking a black and insalubrious disease. ... Read More »

Aamir Khan Productions, directed by Kiran Rao; wife of Aamir Khan. Aamir Khan has accomplished what other Bollywood producers and directors have been questing, striving to achieve for at least a decade. “Dohbi Ghat” is a story that could have been filmed anywhere; it is universal in theme and content. Gone are the gyrating, aerobic Bollywood dances, fragile chaste women, ... Read More »

Thank you for entering and playing the game! My synopsis of the evening will be posted later in the day; fortunately I do not have posting deadlines looming on the horizon which allows the experience to marinate and eventually solidify into a legitimate evaluation.   Since I never win, Going out a a limb, There is talent galore, Excitement, boredom, ... Read More »

ALL CONTESTANTS MUST ENTER THE NUMBER OF OSCARS FOR THE BEST PICTURE! This is the time of year when many can gobble up filmatic treats of the past season; the nominees for the Academy Awards or see the modest and mundane; it is a comfortable hiatus before the next blitzkrieg of film invasions. “THE WAY BACK” Director Peter Weir directs ... Read More »

With limited expectations I ventured into “The Company Men” because of the cast: Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, Kevin Costner; male marvels appealing to all ages.  This is a very good film depicting in Shakespearian proportions a tragic tale that many in today’s society are familiar with and have suffered through. We know these people and empathize with ... Read More »

Directed by Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu (“21 Grams”, “Babel”).  His films are bleak, horrifically black, destructively depressive; the pain and angst of the protagonists is genuine, therein lies his genius. Oh, how I wanted this film to be a winner and for the first hour I championed its success; comparable to watching your favorite team slowly fade from greatness to mediocrity, ... Read More »

The “hype” commences. 33 days before the winners are recognized and the cycle continues. Yes, there is a contest, but this year it will be tougher. Consider yourself forewarned. Simple rules: 1.) You must be 18 or older to enter. 2.) Be computer literate. 3.) Vote once (this might be difficult for those living in Chicago). 4.) Family members are ... Read More »

  Directed by Richard L. Lewis; written by Michael Konyves; based on the novel by Mordecai Richler (1931-2001). Grating perpetually on my “audio” nerves or sensibilities are the colloquialisms that have invaded and tainted today’s vernacular: “like”, “you know”, “duh”, “hello ?”, “ya think ?”, and the legitimate seven letter word “awesome” (second to “amazing”).  But viewing “Barney’s Version”, one ... Read More »