Big and red

  The Big Red One (1980) In World War I, Private Possum (Lee Marvin) kills a German solider and returns to headquarters, where he’s told the war ended “about four hours ago.” Since the war was over, was it murder when he killed the German?  Are the signatures of distant leaders on a piece of paper… Continue reading Big and red

My diary of the poster I made about my trip to Italy

  About Schmidt (2002) After Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) retires, he misses the routine and purpose of work, but his successor makes it clear he doesn’t need him or his advice. When Warren’s wife of almost fifty years dies, he discovers she had a brief affair with one of their best friends.  They had grown apart,… Continue reading My diary of the poster I made about my trip to Italy

Mrs. Henderson proudly presents: The dark star of Burma

  The Burmese Harp (1956) At the end of the Second World War, Private Mizumisha is sent to convince a group of Japanese holdouts to surrender to British forces, but a bombing separates him from his platoon. A monk finds Mizumisha and nurses him to health.  After his recovery, he travels the country, burying the fallen… Continue reading Mrs. Henderson proudly presents: The dark star of Burma

Dumbledore sings!

  The Singing Detective (1986) When mystery writer Philip Marlow (Michael Gambon) is hospitalized with debilitating psoriatic arthritis, a fever sends him into a delirium inspired by his novel The Singing Detective. As his condition deteriorates, he loses the ability to distinguish between his delirium, his memories, and his current life. Characters from his fictional mystery interact with characters… Continue reading Dumbledore sings!

Inside the future dogmen

  Prelude: Dog Star Man (1961) Dog Star Man: Part I (1962) Dog Star Man: Part II (1963) Dog Star Man: Part III (1964) Dog Star Man: Part IV (1964) Stan Brakhage is one of America’s foremost experimental twentieth century filmmakers, but when I read reviews discussing his capitalistic critique or Jungian analysis, I feel like I’m missing something. I… Continue reading Inside the future dogmen

Kills, machete kills

  Machete Kills (2013) Machete originated as a peripheral character in Robert Rodriguez’s Spy Kids series. After appearing in a fake trailer in Grindhouse (2007) the character transitioned into the star of his own series of films in Machete (2010). Danny Trejo is amazing as the titular Mexican bad ass.  His natural charisma elevates this material beyond the… Continue reading Kills, machete kills

Justice for all

  Billy Jack (1971) Billy Jack first appeared to little fanfare in Born Losers (1967), but erupted into the national consciousness in this schizophrenic film, defending a group of hippies from a corrupt local government. Billy responds to slight injustices with inappropriate levels of violence which is then met with more deplorable violence, culminating in the son of the… Continue reading Justice for all

The sorrowful vampyre is obsessed with blood

  The Sorrow and the Pity (1969) Marcel Ophuls (son of French director Max Ophuls) documents the collaboration between French government officials and Nazis during World War II, exploring what people will compromise in order to survive and how a nation responds to an existential crisis. He interviews members of the French resistance as well as… Continue reading The sorrowful vampyre is obsessed with blood

Prophecy is just an illusion

  The Illusionist (2006) When Eisenheim (Ed Norton) was young, he fell in love with a duchess well above his social class. After years traveling the world perfecting his craft as a magician, he returns to Vienna to pursue the same duchess (Jessica Biel), who’s now engaged to the Crown Prince Leopold. The film becomes a battle of wills… Continue reading Prophecy is just an illusion

The fabulous pillow

  Pillow Talk (1959) Jan Morrow (Doris Day), a strong, independent women, lives next door to misogynistic Brad Allen (Rock Hudson) whose womanizing monopolizes the party line in their building, repulsing Morrow while charming her older housekeeper Alma (Thelma Ritter). Through a series of contrived circumstances, Allen and Morrow fall in love. Day and Ritter earned Oscar nominations,… Continue reading The fabulous pillow