Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Black Moon (1975) *

Ambitious take on Lewis Carroll perhaps, but if you don't get it, there's really not much to maintain interest, despite a game cast and nice cinematography.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

The Land of Steady Habits (2018) **

Fairly typical Holofcener film, directed well, featuring very wealthy folks having relationship issues with smart, witty dialogue. Ben Mendelsohn needs to play Tony Bourdain in the biopic.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Friends with Money (2006) **

A lot of disbelief (and disinterest in the 1%) needs to be suspended, but if you can it's an enjoyable, talky look at relationships.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Eva (1962) **

Ms. Moreau dominates with a terrific performance in this examination of male-female power dynamics from director Losey. Hampered by producer meddling that cut 52 minutes. Beautifully shot, mainly in Venice.

Thursday, September 12, 2019

The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe (1972) **

Droll French comedy is well done, forerunner of Burn After Reading perhaps?

Saint Jack (1979) ***

Greene-ish tale of an American abroad and the things they do to the locals. Assuredly directed, nicely written and acted.

Saturday, September 07, 2019

F for Fake (1973) **

Fascinating subject given the usual Welles style, seems to falter in the last third.

Friday, September 06, 2019

The Most Dangerous Game (1932) **

Decidedly "B" level but interesting as the first of the "human as prey" genre. Thankfully short.

Thursday, September 05, 2019

Ready or Not (2019) *

Poor attempt at social satire is shot so darkly you cannot tell what is going on half the time. Also, not funny and a waste of the lovely Ms. MacDowell.

Wednesday, September 04, 2019

Scarlett Johansson Talks Woody Allen, Elizabeth Warren, 'Black Widow' | Hollywood Reporter

But it was Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation at 19 that cemented Johansson as an actress whose subtlety as a performer matched her youthful allure. As her critical bona fides grew, so, too, did Johansson's box office power. Thanks largely to Marvel movies but also to other hits including the 2014 science fiction film Lucy ($463.4 million worldwide), she is the highest-grossing actress in the world and the third highest-grossing actor, period, with her movies having earned more than $14 billion at the box office worldwide.

Spirits of the Dead (1968) **

Poe anthology featuring three iconic directors displaying their signature styles. Pretty and colorful to look at, uneven.

Tuesday, September 03, 2019

Divorce Italian Style (1961) **

Droll satire of Italian macho codes, seems dated. I hope it's dated.

Monday, September 02, 2019

Reservoir Dogs (1992) ***

Tarantino at his leanest, much better than the bloated versions.