Picking the best of a decade is, let’s face it, mostly an impossible task. This is made all the more ridiculous when choosing among all genres. So to make it somehwat manageable, I’ve decided to break it up in to … Continue reading Top Twenty Foreign Language Films of the Decade (2010-19)
“Sorry We missed You” (U.K.) Directed by Ken Loach I don’t know. Call me crazy, but I love Ken Loach films. Let’s be frank, they’re kind of a genre unto themselves. Technically “slice-of-life” films, to me they epitomize what it … Continue reading “Sorry We Missed You” (U.K.) – 55th Chicago Film Festival #5
“Les Misérables” (France) Directed by Ladj Ly I should point out right off the top that this film bears no resemblance to the period musical of the same name. I mention that not as a spoiler, but to avoid the … Continue reading “Les Misérables” (France) – 55th Chicago Film Festival #4
“Let There Be Light” (Slovakia) Directed by Mario Skop One of many official entries for the Oscars’ Best International Film Award (formerly Best Foreign Language FIlm) at this year’s Chicago Film Festival, “Let There Be Light” is an excellent slice … Continue reading “Let There Be Light” (Slovakia) – 55th Chicago Film Festival #3
“Picture.Perfect” (Hong Kong) Directed by Shengze Zhu What starts out as an incredibly interesting look in to the ways in which the internet has affected and illuminated Chinese culture in the strangest of ways, ends up becoming a tedious exercise … Continue reading “Picture.Perfect” (Hong Kong) – 55th Chicago Film Festival #2
“The Whistlers” (Romania) Directed by Corneliu Porumboiu Italian thrillers are an odd lot. Filled with humor, an interesting procedural, good (and occasionally exceptional) performances and beautiful locales. But when all is said and done, I always leave feeling more like … Continue reading “The Whistlers” (Romania) – 55th Chicago Film Festival #1
“Joker” Directed by Todd Phillips Let’s get this out of the way up front. Todd Phillips’ “Joker,” in terms of film-craft, atmosphere, focus, and performance, is one of the greatest films of this decade. Maybe any decade. That statement, while … Continue reading “Joker”
There’s been a slate of theatrically released music icon film bios released in to theaters over the last few years. No doubt this was a response to the success of “Searching For Sugarman”, “Twenty Feet From Stardom” and “Amy” – … Continue reading Two from Laurel Canyon: “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice” & “David Crosby: Remember My Name”
“Downton Abbey” Directed by Michael Engler Is there a purpose to writing a review of a film that is a continuation of a beloved television show? It is, of course, fairly evident, that those who love a show will go … Continue reading “Downton Abbey”
Ah, the Teen Coming-Of-Age Sex Comedy. A staple of Hollywood summer offerings going back as far as “Animal House” (1978) & its many knockoffs like “H.O.T.S.” (1979) & “Little Darlings” (1980), it is a genre steeped in hetero-normative ideals, institutionalized … Continue reading “Booksmart” & “Good Boys”
