Monday, October 29, 2018

Under the Volcano (1984) **

Huston can be TOO literal in his adaptations and this time it doesn't come together. Great cast, beautiful pictures, evocative production.

Third Finger, Left Hand (1940) **

Droll rom-com more interesting for the glimpse into the mores of pre-war, almost post Depression New Yorkers.

Monday, October 22, 2018

The Old Man & the Gun (2018) *

Even for a Redford fan, the sheer volume and intensities of the close ups is overwhelming. Yet, except for him there isn't much to write home about here. Very disappointing.

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Demon Seed (1977) **

Features a superlative performance by the luminous Ms. Christie, but the rest of the picture is kind of silly.

The Immortal Story (TV Movie 1968) **

Beautifully shot, a bit too languorously paced, an intellectual exercise that never fully becomes real, which is kind of the point of the narrative.

Tuesday, October 09, 2018

Othello (1951) ***

Able to surmount the apparent production difficulties, the performances and production design carry the day. Imaginatively directed by Welles.

Monday, October 08, 2018

Men Are Not Gods (1936) **

Interesting look at the incredibly misogynistic mores of pre-war Britain. The title should have an addendum "...But They Sure Think They Are."

Napoleon Dynamite (2004) ***

Some hilarious, spot on scenes and a terrific overall capturing of the high school experience. Amazing performance by Jon Heder in the lead. Some of the eccentricities feel a bit forced.

Thursday, October 04, 2018

Another Woman (1988) ****

Sharply written, well acted, always visually interesting with a lot of attention to detail. One of Woody's best.

Tuesday, October 02, 2018

Geoff Emerick, Beatles Chief Recording Engineer, Dies at 72 – Variety

Emerick was a Grammy Award winner for his work on “Sgt. Pepper’s” and “Abbey Road” as well as Paul McCartney and Wings’ “Band on the Run.” He is credited on albums by Elvis Costello (“Imperial Bedroom”), Badfinger, Supertramp, Cheap Trick and America, among many others.

Tremendous talent, tremendous impact on people's lives.

The Quiet Earth (1985) ***

Some similarities to other last-man-on-earth flicks but eschews the zombies/vampires/mutants route and sticks to the harder science angle.