The Learning Tree (1969) Even keeled Newt reluctantly follows his conscience and gives evidence proving Booker killed a man, destroying his friendship with Marcus, Booker’s son, and leading to a violent confrontation in a racist, rural Kansas town. This film about the black experience during the Great Depression is a better film than Gordon Parks… Continue reading The bridge goes over the canyon and leads to a tree
Month: May 2014
Prideful Stoker by the lake
Pride & Prejudice (2005) After early supporting roles as Queen Amidala’s decoy in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) and second fiddle to Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean films, Keira Knightley proved a more than capable leading lady as Elizabeth Bennet. Director Joe Wright was obviously impressed with her work… Continue reading Prideful Stoker by the lake
Roid rage and winning
Pain & Gain (2013) Untalented and not very bright, Daniel Lugo (Mark Walhberg), Paul Doyle (Dwayne Johnson), and Noel Doorbal (Anthony Mackie) are so enamored with the promise of the American Dream and its associated wealth, they will do anything to achieve their goals. Walberg and Mackie are great, but the star of the film is Dwayne Johnson.… Continue reading Roid rage and winning
Flying in a trance
Fur of Flying (2010) As is the case with other recent efforts involving Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner, this 3D, CGI short feels flat compared to the original Chuck Jones films. It’s too brief and feels like going through the motions. It’s okay as nostalgia, or a gateway to introduce children to the Looney Tunes oeuvre, but it’s… Continue reading Flying in a trance
The rabid fear of the coolest guy is bigger than grand
The Cooler (2003) To pay off an old gambling debt, Bernie Lootz (William H. Macey) works for Shelly Kaplow (Alec Baldwin), the old school head of the Shangri-La casino, as a “cooler,” a gambler so unlucky he causes everyone around him to lose. After he pays off his debt, Bernie plans to leave Vegas. To… Continue reading The rabid fear of the coolest guy is bigger than grand
I’m throwing a celebration for my friend Beau
Festen (1998) A family gathers for a weekend celebration of Helge’s sixtieth birthday. At dinner, one of his sons, Christian, alleges Helge repeatedly raped him and his sister Linda when they were younger. Tormented by dreams their father would molest her again, Linda committed suicide just before the events of the film. In 1995, hoping… Continue reading I’m throwing a celebration for my friend Beau
Evil remembered
The Karski Report (2010) Claude Lanzmann interviews Polish resistance fighter, Jan Karski, who details his 1942 meeting with FDR and his efforts to make the President understand the devastation at the Nazi concentration camps. The extent world leaders knew about the atrocities at places like Auschwitz and chose not to act is shameful. A Visitor… Continue reading Evil remembered
It’s Wayne’s World; We’re just living in it
Wayne’s World 2 (1993) Good movies based on Saturday Night Live sketches are rare. Like turning a short story into a 1000 page novel, the entire nature of the work has to change. The few successful SNL movies are based on strong characters, like Jake and Elwood Blues, or Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar, and not awkward situations… Continue reading It’s Wayne’s World; We’re just living in it
Barbosa made Brazil cry when he deceived them with the Rimet Trophy
Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay (2012) This biography traces the influences of magician Ricky Jay, one of the most prolific magicians in Hollywood, appearing in dozens of films and consulting on many more. David Blaine, David Copperfield, Penn and Teller, and Criss Angel are household names, but there’s a significant gap between… Continue reading Barbosa made Brazil cry when he deceived them with the Rimet Trophy
The children are little!
Little Children (2006) Sarah Pierce (Kate Winslet), a bored stay-at-home mom has an affair with Brad Adamson (Patrick Wilson), while convicted sex-offender Ronnie (Jackie Early Haley) has difficulty adjusting to life outside of prison. The first hour of Todd Field’s sophomore feature-length film was spellbinding, but once Sarah and Brad gave in to their lust,… Continue reading The children are little!