Kobelkoff (1900) This short film about “Human Torso” Nikolai Kobelokoff reminds us how different the world was a century ago. With no arms or legs, Kobelkoff became a circus freak. In this short snippet it looks like he is enjoying his life despite his severe handicap. Some viewers will see this as exploitation; they have… Continue reading Best of the 1900s
Tag: Fantasy films
Best of the 1910s
The Birth of a Flower (1910) A remarkable achievement from the early days of cinema: a lovely large scale exploration of a small scale occurrence which often flies under our radar. The Hallucinations of Baron Munchausen (1911) Once again, Georges Méliès demonstrates his enormous creative capacity, using the story of Baron Munchausen as a launching pad… Continue reading Best of the 1910s
Surprise!: This story never ends
Pullet Surprise (1997) Foghorn Leghorn is one of my favorite Looney Tunes because my dad loved the character, but this lesser entry featuring the character is only somewhat amusing. The NeverEnding Story (1984) Bastian Balthazar Bux reads a book to distract him from the troubles of his adolescence. The book tells the story of Fantasia and its fight… Continue reading Surprise!: This story never ends
A pathetic explanation and a delightful blue bird
Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain (2013) This is a concert film of Kevin Hart’s 2013 sold out Madison Square Garden show. I enjoyed the television show Undeclared, and Hart’s 2013 Saturday Night Live appearance was decent, but this was my first exposure to his stand up act. Sadly, most of his “jokes revolve around the difficulties of being… Continue reading A pathetic explanation and a delightful blue bird
A little bit of drinking, a little bit of grass, and a tiny thumb
Drinking Buddies (2013) Kate (Olivia Wilde) and Luke (Jake Johnson) are coworkers at a Chicago brewery. Despite their obvious compatibility and attraction, they’re only friends because Kate is dating Chris (Ron Livingston), while Luke is in a relationship with Jill (Anna Kendrick). As Kate and Luke grow closer, their relationships are tested. Director Joe Swanberg… Continue reading A little bit of drinking, a little bit of grass, and a tiny thumb
The Baron, the warriors, and a big fan
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) An elderly man claiming to be the Baron von Münchausen interrupts a play supposedly based on his life to point out its many inaccuracies and correct the record. When the Angel of Death comes to collect Münchausen, he escapes in a hot air balloon made from women’s underwear. The… Continue reading The Baron, the warriors, and a big fan