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
The bridge goes over the canyon and leads to a tree
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
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