Green Dolphin Street (1947) *

Interminably long, cliched melodrama, pure Hollywood schtick, badly miscast featuring one of the longest earthquakes in recorded history.

Smiles of a Summer Night (1955) ***

Superficially it's a romantic comedy but underlying it all is the Bergman relentless truth which is often mistaken for cynicism.

Hairspray (1988) ***

Delightfully goofy fable of early '60's urban mores and how the times they were a-changing thanks to good old rock and roll. Superficially played as farce but the underlying truth is obvious.

The Scapegoat (1959) ***

Troubled production notwithstanding, this is an above average Brit flick with a sneaky ending that may or may not have been intended.

The World of Apu (1959) ***

Not as marvelous as the first two installments, but a fitting conclusion to the Apu Trilogy.

Everybody Knows (2018) ***

Engrossing look at old family wounds and how they never seem to go away despite appearances.

Aparajito (1956) ****

Further examination of the life of Apu just as mesmerizing as the first.

My Name Is Julia Ross (1945) *

Low grade, undistinguished noir totally unbelievable, forgettable.

Nickelodeon Orders 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Prequel 'Kamp Koral'

“‘SpongeBob’ has an incredible universe to expand upon and the greenlight for ‘Kamp Koral’ is a testament to the strength and longevity of these characters known and loved by generations of fans around the world,” said Ramsey Naito, Nickelodeon’s executive vice president of animation production and development.

The series is one of several planned spinoffs for the “SpongeBob” universe, which include potential standalone stories for side characters like Sandy Cheeks and Plankton.

Way to go , Nick. Run it into the ground.

Pather Panchali (1955) ****

Indian neo-realist classic, lovingly photographed, movingly told.

Delirious (2006) **

Steve Buscemi is great but the film is frustratingly too long and scattershot. Could have been a classic.

Bad Timing (1980) **

Beautiful pictures as usual with Nic Roeg and although there's a lot of truth here it is ugly and not very entertaining.

La Truite (The Trout) (1982) **

As much as I like M. Huppert and as good an actress as she is she is miscast here and it makes the film more ridiculous than it needs to be.

The Great Beauty (2013) **

It's trying to say something profound but takes the LONG way around and gets lost.

Ride in the Whirlwind (1966) **

Another attempt at a fresh take on the Western falls short despite the beautiful photography. Feels padded even at 82 minutes.

Elton John: 'They wanted to tone down the sex and drugs. But I haven’t led a PG-13 life' | Global | The Guardian

We were very close right at the start of our career together, but we’re completely different people. He comes from the wilds of Lincolnshire, I come from the suburbs of London. He lives in Santa Barbara and he’s literally won competitions for roping cattle. I collect antique porcelain and the only way you’d get me on the back of a horse is at gunpoint. Neither of us can write if the other is in the room. But there’s a weird bond between us that I felt the minute I opened the envelope – I could just write music to his words straight away, without even thinking about it – and it’s lasted over 50 years.

We’ve had arguments – you don’t want to get him started on the subject of some of my more outlandish stage costumes, or indeed the subject of Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, a song he’s loathed from the minute it was finished and continues to loathe to this day – but we’ve never fallen out, despite all the ridiculous crap we’ve been through.

Queen of the Desert (2015) **

Watchable biopic but it never gets to the heart of the subject. I know the credits say directed by Werner Herzog but there's nothing on the screen to indicate that.

Claire's Camera (2017) ***

Impeccably photographed series of conversations in and about Cannes with the inimitable M. Huppert as our guide.

Five (1951) ***

Features several superbly directed sequences and an overall unsentimental and matter-of-fact tone that allow you to overlook the stupidity of the characters and the overuse of the closeup. Falters in the middle, but has such a good start and finish. Made on a shoestring, the first post nuke apocalyptic flick.

The Fallen Idol (1948) ***

Fine, tasteful adaptation of a Graham Greene story about (what else) an affair, lies, death and guilt. Good script, actors, direction.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) **

Good showcase for some fine actors. Could have been trimmed to a more palatable length though.

Wine Country (2019) **

Watchable dramedy about female friendships. Maybe has a couple too many in the ensemble. Suffers from not enough Maya.

Pushover (1954) ***

Nifty noir about a cop on a stakeout who starts to fall for the bank robber's moll. Introduces a stunning Kim Novak.

Doris Day Dead at 97 – Variety

It was also significant because of the ambiguity of certain scenes that could be interpreted as meaning that the central characters slept together before marriage — a first for a Day character and interesting at a time when comedians were calling her the world’s oldest virgin. She was offered the role of Mrs. Robinson in “The Graduate,” which could have gone a long way to modernizing what had become a square image, but turned it down because she thought the sexual relationship was exploitative.

Peggy Lipton Dead: ‘Mod Squad,’ ‘Twin Peaks’ Star Was 72 – Variety

At the height of her popularity in 1968, she released a self-titled album and had a hit in 1970 with a cover of Donovan’s “Wear Your Love Like Heaven.” In her 2006 memoir “Breathing Out,” she describes being abused as a child by an uncle and suffering several abusive relationships. Lipton was romantically linked to Paul McCartney, Sammy Davis Jr. and Elvis Presley.

Bonjour Tristesse (1958) ***

Fantastic Riviera locations enhance this melodramatic look at the love lives of the rich and famous. Mylène Demongeot is a delight.

Muriel, or the Time of Return (1963) ***

Vibrantly photographed examination of how memory, reality and truth get mixed up with time. A puzzle picture that needs multiple viewings.

Fists in the Pocket (1965) **

Bizarre story about a wealthy Italian family and a son with too much time on his hands. Hard to tell if it is a black comedy or straight horror flick. Gorgeous scenery of the hills of northern Italy.

The Biggest Loser | DCReport.org

The story of Trump’s taxes is the story of a man whose lying, cheating, stealing and continual need for cash to sustain the image of a multi-billionaire has made him vulnerable to kompromat. It is the story of a known tax cheat who has taken an oath to uphold and defend our Constitution but ignores that oath, violate that oath.

It is a story whose most salient financial circumstances and connections remain hidden. And they will remain hidden unless we demand transparency not from Trump, who will never be open, but from our Congress.

Billy Liar (1963) **

It's well made with some fine visuals, good performances, but the story makes no sense and neither do the lead characters. Maybe a comment on the incomprehensibility of British young men and women in 1962?

Thor: Ragnarok (2017) **

Comic book flick times 10 but it has good actors who are interesting to watch.

Safety Last! (1923) **

Amusing silent flick showcases some exceptional camera and stunt work.

The Burglar (1957) **

For the first half this is a nifty noir with some novel twists and visuals to the usual genre trappings but it runs out of steam and eventually succumbs.

Lola (1961) **

Similar in sensibility to Umbrellas without the sung dialogue. Confident and stylish for a first feature.

Wanda (1970) **

Cinema verité style character study of aimless woman. Shoestring budget but good use of non-actors and location. The real actors are very good. Bleak, unforgiving.

Chimes at Midnight (1965) ***

Further evidence of Orson's directorial prowess. Could have been trimmed a bit but it builds to a moving conclusion.

The Double Hour (2009) **

It's well acted and produced, but a few too many twists and you stop caring.

So Dark the Night (1946) **

B level noir suffers from mediocre production and a twist that's not all that surprising.

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) ****

Innovative, original musical, still influential. Kudos to director Demy for sticking the ending.

The Shooting (1966) **

Good try at an existential Western features good performances (especially Mr. Oates), well photographed, but the script falls apart.

Logan's Run (1976) **

Cheesy, campy attempt at the cynical sci-fi so prevalent at the time. Doesn't hold up well.

I Married a Witch (1942) *

Ham fisted attempt at screwball comedy is nearly unwatchable. Relies heavily on the charisma and chemistry of the stars of which there are neither.

The Truth About Woody Allen (Part I) | This Mortal Coil

I know these details get real boring, real fast. But once you study it, you see how even the custody decision has been misrepresented by the Farrows and their followers. Granted, none of this suggests that Woody falling in love with Soon-Yi was a smart move, but, you know, it happened, and the fall-out was massive, but they remain together and have raised two normal, healthy kids. As for Mia, out of her ten adopted kids, two are permanently estranged, and three are dead — two from suicide, and the third died in poverty. Mia also has one brother who committed suicide, and another brother who’s in prison for multiple counts of child molestation. The dysfunction in that family runs very deep, and has nothing to do with Woody and Soon-Yi.

Living in Oblivion (1995) **

Amusing movie about making movies and all the perils therein. Almost makes it to something more.

Rosebud (1975) **

Anti-terrorist procedural starts off great and the attention to detail is at first compelling but soon starts to bog down the picture. Finally it becomes a pro-Israel propaganda piece. Unfortunate since Mr. O'Toole and Ms. Huppert (so young!) are fun to watch.

The Fantasticks (1995) **

This is a very well made rendition of the long running off broadway musical. Unfortunately the songs (except for the finale of course) are quite forgettable and the story is paper thin. It's still beautifully shot and imaginatively directed.

Cold War (2018) **

Nicely shot in crisp black and white but the central love story fails to convince.

The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind by Julian Jaynes | Goodreads

But over and behind these and other causes of science has been something more universal, something in this age of specialization often unspoken. It is something about understanding the totality of existence, the essential defining reality of things, the entire universe and man's place in it. It is a groping among stars for final answers, a wandering the infinitesimal for the infinitely general, a deeper and deeper pilgrimage into the unknown. It is a direction whose far beginning in the mists of history can be distantly seen in the search for lost directives in the breakdown of the bicameral mind.

Green Book (2018) *

Well acted Hollywood white savior claptrap masquerading as "inspired by true events" biopic. No wonder Spike was so upset at the Oscars.

Greta (2018) **

The great Ms. Huppert sadly underused in this ludicrous thriller.

Dressed to Kill (1980) ***

Enjoyable to watch because it's shot well and it's fun picking out all the Hitchcock tropes being re-done here, even the clunky ending explanatory scene. Ms. Allen was never better.

Gumshoe (1971) ***

Half-hearted attempt at a Chandler update features a stellar cast lead by the great Mr. Finney who makes a good Marlowe.

Neuroscientists read unconscious brain activity to predict decisions — Quartz

Though this is just one study, it’s not the first to show that thoughts can be predicted before they are conscious. As the researchers note, similar techniques have been able to predict motor decisions between seven and 10 seconds before they’re conscious, and abstract decisions up to four seconds before they’re conscious. Taken together, these studies show how understanding how the brain complicates our conception of free will.

Neuroscientists have long known that the brain prepares to act before you’re consciously aware, and there are just a few milliseconds between when a thought is conscious and when you enact it. Those milliseconds give us a chance to consciously reject unconscious impulses, seeming to form a foundation of free will.

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009) **

Nic Cage does a good job in an offbeat take on the "bad cop still does good" genre as unpleasant as that is.

Leave No Trace (2018) ***

A terrific performance anchors this spare, uncompromising tale of a man who just can't abide people any more and the toll it takes on his daughter. Director Granik understands that sometimes the less said makes the film about more than the plot.

Strangers on a Train (1951) ***

A supremely creepy Robert Walker steals the show in this noir thriller that frankly wouldn't be that much without him. Not even master director Hitchcock can make amateur tennis exciting but he gamely tries.

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) ****

Even in its truncated, clumsily edited final sequence version this is a wonderful example of great ensemble acting. Script and direction better than Kane and one of Welles' best films.

A Star Is Born (2018) **

The first half is better, but overall an undistinguished bit of film making. Well deserved Oscar for best song.

Diary of a Mad Housewife (1970) ****

At the start it strikes you as an over the top satire of domestic relations but thanks to the sharp script and superb performances you come to realize it's merely being observational. Great film.

High Flying Bird (2019) **

Talky, mid-level Soderbergh with some terrific actors and some terrific camera or should that be phone work. The pictures look great even if the flick isn't.

Peter Tork of the Monkees Dies at 77 – Variety

“I have said this before — and now it seems even more apt: the reason we called it a band is because it was where we all went to play,” Nesmith continued. “A band no more, and yet the music plays on, an anthem to all who made the Monkees and the TV show our private — dare I say ‘secret’ — playground. As for Pete, I can only pray his songs reach the heights that can lift us and that our childhood lives forever — that special sparkle that was the Monkees. I will miss him — a brother in arms. Take flight my Brother.”

Shoplifters (2018) ***

Sort of a Japanese Oliver Twist with exceptional performances and the deft touch of a master filmmaker.

Emoji are showing up in court cases exponentially, and courts aren’t prepared - The Verge

The different depictions of emoji across platforms also poses a problem in judicial rulings. For example, depending on what type of phone you’re using, the “gritting teeth” emoji might look a lot different. Not only are emoji designed differently across smartphone platforms, but people interpret the same emoji differently. An earlier design of the grinning emoji on iOS, for example, was interpreted as being far more negative than the same emoji displayed on other platforms.

Despite the potential for emoji to be interpreted in a wide array of ways, emoji experts don’t really exist. “Emoji usually have dialects. They draw meaning from their context. You could absolutely talk about emoji as a phenomenon, but as for what a particular emoji means, you probably wouldn’t go to a linguist. You would probably go to someone who’s familiar with that community, just like they did with the sex trafficking case,” Goldman says.

At Eternity's Gate (2018) *

Maddeningly mis-directed biopic of Vincent van Gogh, painter of some of the loveliest works ever. Such a shame the movie is shot so dark and hazy, jumbled hand held camera work obscuring the fine performances.

Bruno Ganz Dead: Actor Who Played Hitler in ‘Downfall’ Actor Was 77 – Variety

In addition to delivering one of the definitive cinematic portrayals of Hitler, Ganz played an angel who gives up immortality to experience earthly pleasures in Wim Wenders’ classic film “Wings of Desire” (1987). He reprised that role in Wenders’ 1993 follow-up, “Faraway, So Close!”

His celestial performance was so memorable that Ganz once recounted how people ascribed special powers to him when they recognized him in public.

“People in planes said: ‘Ah, no need to be afraid, because with you here, nothing can happen. Now we are safe,'” Ganz told the Danish film journal P.O.V. “Or a mother said to her child: ‘Look, there’s your guardian angel.’ They weren’t joking.”

Walk on the Wild Side (1962) **

Entertaining southern soaper with some nice performances and a pretty good script. Could have used some cuts and the shot quality is uneven. Why on Earth would you soft focus Capucine?

Velvet Buzzsaw (2019) **

Slick slasher flick with some digs at the art world. A bit too long but visually sharp and Jake does a nice job.

Doctor Zhivago (1965) ***

Sturdy Lean epic shows off a luminous Ms. Christie and Omar playing yet another Russian. Superior soap opera with a bit of "history" thrown in.

Albert Finney Dead: ‘Tom Jones’ Star Dies at 82 – Variety

Rebellious even in his later years, Finney reportedly declined a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1980 and a knighthood in 2000. “The Sir thing slightly perpetuates one of our diseases in England, which is snobbery,” he said.

Finney was married three times, the first time to British actress Jane Wenham, the second to French actress Anouk Aimee. Survivors include Finney’s third wife Pene Delmage, whom he married in 2006; son Simon Finney, a film technician from his marriage to Wenham; and son Declan from his relationship with Katherine Attson.

In a 1984 interview with the New York Times, Finney reflected on his role in “The Dresser.” He noted that performances, particularly those on stage, have an ephemeral quality, but he insisted that didn’t depress him.

“What a lot of people spend their lives doing may not add up to a hill of beans,” said Finney. “But their love, effort and devotion goes into doing it, and it becomes worthwhile.”

The Tamarind Seed (1974) **

Spys in love but the leads have zero chemistry and the script is no help. It looks pretty though and it's an interesting time capsule of early 70's life such as the near constant cigarettes! Still don't get why producers thought Omar could pass for a Russian.

Mother! (2017) ****

Searing, personal mythology from intense filmmaker Darren Aronofsky could have been a pretentious mess but it works thanks to a tight script, brisk pace and a top notch cast especially JLaw who is up to the daunting task. Unforgettable and Aronofsky really nails humanity to the wall here. Brilliant.

Mary Queen of Scots (2018) **

Well made period piece which emphasizes gender dynamics for contemporary relevancy (but doesn't belabor the point). The emphasis on cast diversity however is very distracting. This can work in a theatrical performance but film is not as forgiving unless the director makes it clear what the point is.

Downsizing (2017) **

Despite being a well put together film, featuring a breakout performance and the always interesting (and prolific!) Udo Kier, it's a little disappointing given the obvious effort and epic length.

Disobedience (2017) **

Strong leads in an interesting look at what freedom means in a closed (and very wealthy) religious community in London.

Why Shoot the Teacher? (1977) **

Bud Cort shines in this period piece from the Depression era Canadian hinterlands and how a fresh-faced city boy copes.

How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008) **

Thanks to the stellar cast this is an entertaining rom-com but the lead character is hard to root for and a lot of the jokes fall flat.

2018 In Review: Music

**** Essex Green, The - Hardly Electronic
*** Albert Hammond Jr. - Francis Trouble
*** Amy Rigby - The Old Guys
*** Beths, The - Future Me Hates Me
*** Bird Streets - Bird Streets
*** Brian Jonestown Massacre, The - Something Else
*** Charlatans, The - Totally Eclipsing
*** Chills, The - Snow Bound
*** Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel
*** Elvis Costello - Look Now
*** Gretchen's Wheel - Black Box Theory
*** KT Tunstall - Wax
*** Laura Veirs - The Lookout
*** Lemon Twigs, The - Go To School
*** Liminanas, The - Shadow People
*** Metric - Art Of Doubt
*** Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson - Apart
*** Richard Thompson - 13 Rivers
*** Tres Oui - Poised To Flourish
*** We Are Scientists - Megaplex
*** Wild Nothing - Indigo
*** Decemberists, The - Traveling On EP
*** Django Django - Winter's Beach EP
** Alex Chilton and Peter Holsapple -The Death Of Rock
** Antarctigo Vespucci - Love In The Time Of Email
** Beach House - 7
** Belle & Sebastian - How To Solve Our Human Problems
** Breeders, The - All Nerve
** Charlotte Gainsbourg - Take 2
** Frontperson - Frontrunner
** Great Lakes - Dreaming Too Close To The Edge
** Hinds - I Don't Run
** Inara George - Dearest Everybody
** Johnny Marr - Call The Comet
** Kate Nash - Yesterday Was Forever
** Kooks, The - Let's Go Sunshine
** Pavlov's Dog - Prodigal Dreamer
** Pinkshinyultrablast - Miserable Miracles
** Sam Phillips - World on Sticks
** Shins, The - The Worms Heart
** Superchunk - What a Time to Be Alive
** Eleanor Friedberger - Rebound
** Jeff Tweedy - Warm
** Neko Case - Hell-On
** Rays - You Can Get There From Here

2018 In Review: Movies

**** The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs
**** Roma
*** A Quiet Place
*** Annihilation
*** The Favourite
*** First Reformed
*** Isle Of Dogs
*** Mamma Mia! Her We Go Again
*** The Other Side Of The Wind
*** Unsane
*** Widows
** Crazy Rich Asians
** I Feel Pretty
** Incredibles 2
** Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle
** The Spy Who Dumped Me
** You Were Never Really Here
* Bohemian Rhapsody
* Ready Player One
* The Nutcracker And The Four Realms
* The Old Man And The Gun

The Favourite (2018) ***

Not as twisted (or direct) as his previous films, but entertaining and well made.

Roma (2018) ****

Directorial tour-de-force about an upper class family coming apart in early '70's Mexico City. Lots of long one take sequences which boggle the mind as to how they were accomplished.

The Other Side of the Wind (2018) ***

Can be interpreted in many ways, but this final Orson Welles picture is as ambitious as any previous. Lots to admire, lots to think about.

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018) **

Well made but succumbs to the tired Hollywood script "beats" and ends up quite like another film.

First Reformed (2017) ***

Nicely directed character study that takes a turn. Beautiful, minimalist production design and a very good performance by Mr. Hawke.

Performance (1970) **

I paid attention but couldn't figure out the point. Enjoyed the actors and the cinematography though.

Brief Encounter (TV Movie 1974) **

Superbly shot drama with Ms. Loren never lovelier.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) ****

Superbly crafted anthology film featuring the trademark Coens' humor, irony and detail. Well played by a great cast.

You Were Never Really Here (2017) **

Gritty and violent neo-noir has some interesting moments and admirable narrative restraint. Joaquin Phoenix holds it together.

Watching the Detectives (2007) **

A case of low expectations being rewarded, the flick is enjoyable thanks to the able cast and quick pace. Formulaic rom-com.

Stephen Hillenburg Dead: SpongeBob Squarepants’ Creator Was 57 – Variety

Hillenburg graduated from Humboldt State University in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Planning and Interpretation, with an emphasis on marine resources. He then became a marine biology teacher at the Orange County Marine Institute (now the Ocean Institute) in Dana Point, California. This interest, combined with his artistic talent and love of the sea and its creatures, led him to write and illustrate stories as teaching tools with characters that would later become the denizens of SpongeBob’s home, Bikini Bottom.

One of the best television shows ever made. Expertly crafted, tightly written, absurdly imaginative, humane and hilarious.

Widows (2018) ***

Nifty noir-heist-thriller is well paced and chock full of stars. Once the setup is complete, the second half takes off.

Nicolas Roeg, director of Don't Look Now and Walkabout, dies aged 90 | Film | The Guardian

Having risen through the ranks and devised his own, unique film language, Roeg held firm convictions in cinema as a distinct art form. “Movies are not scripts – movies are films,” he said in a 2006 interview. “They’re not books, they’re not the theatre. It’s a completely different discipline, it exists on its own. I would say that the beauty of it is, it’s not the theatre, it’s not done over again. It’s done in bits and pieces. Things are happening which you can’t get again.”

Purple Noon (1960) ***

Well directed Highsmith thriller with a knockout ending. Beautiful people in beautiful places doing not very nice things.

Jeremiah Johnson (1972) ***

Exceptional flick marred by an obnoxiously intrusive score. Pollack's most beautifully shot and composed film.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018) *

Bad CGI fest masquerading as fantasy. Unfortunate because the art direction is pretty good.

Camille Paglia:It’s Time for a New Map of the Gender World - Quillette

My substitute for religion is art, which I have expanded to include all of popular culture. But when art is reduced to politics, as has been programmatically done in academe for 40 years, its spiritual dimension is gone. It is coarsely reductive to claim that value in the history of art is always determined by the power plays of a self-referential social elite. I take Marxist social analysis seriously: Arnold Hauser’s Marxist, multi-volume A Social History of Art (1951) was a major influence on me in graduate school. However, Hauser honored art and never condescended to it. A society that respects neither religion nor art cannot be called a civilization.

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) *

Laughably cliched and simple minded biopic of Queen, focusing on the trials and tribulations of Mr. Mercury who was quite the annoying diva.

Personal Best (1982) **

So-so sports flick, notable for using some actual athletes in major roles (very well) and manages to avoid a few relationship cliches but not all unfortunately. Nice shots of SLO in the 70's, and it's interesting to see what premier athletes looked like back then (NOT bulked up).

Hall Of Fame Slugger Willie McCovey Dies At Age 80 : NPR

McCovey was nicknamed "Stretch" because his height at 6-foot-4. Left-handed throwing made him a natural at first base. He was best known for his 521 career home runs, 18 of which were grand slams — the most by any player who spent his career exclusively in the National League. McCovey was the National League's home run leader three times and RBI king twice in his 22-season career. He played 13 of those years on the Giants with teammate Willie Mays and together they formed one of the most powerful hitting duos in baseball history.

He hit one of the longest home runs I've ever seen into the high upper deck of right field in Busch Stadium II. Always thrilling to watch him at bat.

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.