I got to see a screening of “Their Finest” at the Chicago European Union Film Festival yesterday. Perhaps because I am deep down still a Brit, I wrapped myself into its cozy, delectable blanket. However, the American audience that i joined also thoroughly enjoyed the viewing. Smiles were on their faces as they left the… Continue Reading
Analyses
Paris Can Wait (2016)
Premiering last Summer at the Toronto International Film Festival, the pleasant fluff Paris Can Wait finally made it to Chicago last Friday. Octogenarian director Eleanor Coppola {Francis’s wife] was present for a pre-screening reception and post viewing discussion. Coppola becomes the oldest American director to make a debut feature film. Her prior efforts have focused… Continue Reading
Tell No One (2006)
This weekend I watched one of my favorite films, Tell No One (Ne le dis à personne) . Based upon a novel by American writer Harlan Coben, the movie takes place in France whereas the book’s story occurred in New York. The transfer of location helps add to the story. I write about this film… Continue Reading
The Sense of an Ending
I had the opportunity to screen this thought provoking film last week. I do not want to say too much at this times since I have assigned it to my film study group when it comes out on general release. The film requires patience from the viewer. Director Ritesh Batra [The Lunchbox] develops his characters… Continue Reading
Julieta
I apologize for the delay in posting on this film but I got sick right after viewing it. Because the film was based on three Alice Munro short stories rather than a pure Almodovar script the film had a different feel to it. The film did not flow well and it was unclear if that… Continue Reading
Three Classics – Still Relevant
Over the past week I have watched three really heavy and depressing films. But all three were engrossing and magnificent filmmaking. Autumn Sonata (1978, 1h 38m, Director Ingmar Bergman se) and My Dinner With Andre (1981, 1h 50m, Directed by Louis Malle, fr).and The Unbearable Likeness of Being (1988, 2h 51m, Director Philip Kaufman us)… Continue Reading
Three Colors : Blue (1993)
One of my birthday gifts this year was a subscription to Filmstruck + Criterion Collection streaming channel. A great gift. Criterian provides the supplemental features that are normally only found on their discs. The first film I watched on the channel was Juliette Binoche in Blue. What an absolute joy. Binoche’s acting is marvelous. Once… Continue Reading
Miss Sloane
The first episode of the new season of In the Actor’s Studio (Bravo, Season 22, Ep 1) features Jessica Chastain giving a not to be missed masterclass in acting technique. If you want to see Chastain in what I believe to be the best performance of her career, do not miss Miss Sloane. She has… Continue Reading
The Lion Weeps Tonight
As I watched what I believed to be just the beginning of Lion I began to get aggravated as it seemed to go on and on. Finally I realized that I was not watching just the start of the film, I was watching Act 1 and perhaps part of Act 2. It was then I… Continue Reading
Fenced in for 29 years, August Wilson is finally screened
FENCES 29 Years. That is how long it took from starting development to release on screen for August Wilson’s play Fences. The project itself was fenced in by Hollywood’s racism which would not allow for a Black director. See James Greenberg’s New York Times article at http://nyti.ms/2hzSpWw. Mr. Wilson adapted his play primarily on his… Continue Reading