Karama Has No Walls (2013) This film, chronicling the 2011 Yemeni Revolution, is an interesting, insider account of the uprising, but too short for viewers to invest in the story it tells. Castle in the Sky (1986) Princess Sheeta is the surviving member of a royal line from an ancient civilization and unknowingly possesses the… Continue reading The thief from karama lives in the castle in the sky
Three kings with fantastic hair
The King of Comedy (1983) Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) is an aspiring comedian looking for his big break. He idolizes talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) and dreams of one day performing on his program. When he meets his idol, Pupkin think he’s finally made it, but Langford is dismissive of his talent,… Continue reading Three kings with fantastic hair
Out of the south pacific, into the fifth estate
Out of the Furnace (2013) Russell Blaze (Christian Bale) goes to prison after he kills a little boy in a drunken accident. When he’s released, his dad has died, and his girlfriend, Lena Taylor (Zoe Saldana) is now in a relationship with the city police chief Wesley Barnes (Forest Whittaker). Russell’s brother, Rodney Blaze (Casey… Continue reading Out of the south pacific, into the fifth estate
Let’s purge ourselves of these birds in love
These Birds Walk (2013) This documentary follows a runaway boy and the efforts of humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi to bring peace and stability to Pakistan. It’s more in-depth than the fleeting images from news programs more obsessed with political squabbles than elucidating the real problems facing the world, but as a movie it doesn’t do… Continue reading Let’s purge ourselves of these birds in love
The hot and stormy place
The Place Beyond the Pines (2013) Romina (Eva Mendes) visits her ex-lover, motorcycle stuntman Luke Glanton (Ryan Gosling) to casually tell him he’s the father of her child. She’s shocked and disappointed to find Luke wants to be a part of the child’s life. If movies have taught us nothing else, we know motorcycle drivers… Continue reading The hot and stormy place
There’s no escaping gangsters at the Detroit museum
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) As professional assassin Martin Blank (John Cusack) experiences a personal midlife crisis and a professional crisis with his chief rival, Grocer (Dan Aykroyd), his therapist (Alan Arkin) suggests he attend his tenth high school reunion where he rekindles a romance with Debi Newberry (Minnie Driver). Unfortunately, Martin’s next target is Debi’s… Continue reading There’s no escaping gangsters at the Detroit museum
Porky used to be fat, now he’s just a pig
Bosko and Bruno (1932) Another short film featuring Warner Bros. erstwhile star, Bosko, who chases his runaway dog down a railroad track, and, along the way, also chases a chicken. Bosko the Lumberjack (1932) This Bosko short illustrates how lazy these early Warner Bros. efforts were. Bosko’s girlfriend is a cheap imitation of Minnie Mouse,… Continue reading Porky used to be fat, now he’s just a pig
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