“The Insult” Directed by Ziad Doueiri So, I’m not alone in believing that the world is going to crap, yes? For the past few weeks it’s become more and more apparent that the prevailing feeling surrounding us is one of … Continue reading “The Insult” – Lebanon (Best Foreign FIlm Oscar Nominee)
This was, overall, one of the weakest crop of docs to be nominated in many, many years. This does not diminish the craft and effort put in to them. It simply means that none of them reach the level … Continue reading 2018 Oscar Nominated Documentary Feature Films
An interesting crop of short docs this year. Not nearly as devastating and life-devaluing as last year (with the notable exception “Joe’s Violin”). And, not for nothing, all uniquely American films. Nonetheless, very affecting, moving and…ultimately hopeful. Four focus on … Continue reading 2018 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Docs
The world of mankind is totally screwed…and screwed up. And in case you don’t think so, just go see the nominated live action shorts. Even the comedy portrays a world where up is down and down is up. <sigh> It’s … Continue reading 2018 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Live Action
“The Square” (Sweden) Directed by Ruben Östlund So Ruben Östlund‘s last film, “Force Majeur” (an Oscar nominee in 2015) was long on film presence and purpose, but short on story and magnetism. “The Square”, alas, goes WAY overboard in trying … Continue reading “The Square” – Sweden (Best Foreign Film Oscar Nominee)
“On Body and Soul” (Hungary) Directed by Ildikó Enyedi Having already seen three fantastic Hungarian films this year (“1945“, “Budapest Noir“ and “Aurora Borealis“ – all reviewed here), one of which I thought was maybe the best film all year, … Continue reading “On Body and Soul” – Hungary (Best Foreign Film Oscar Nominee)
Chicken or the egg…or, rather, does the Animated Shorts nominating committee have terrible taste, or did they simply choose the best from a weak bunch? The best of the five nominees chosen in this year’s category wouldn’t have made the … Continue reading 2018 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Animated
“Phantom Thread” Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson One of the many problems writing about how I experience a piece of cinema or television, is the effort to ensure I’m not wearing my “critical” hat while in the middle of that … Continue reading “Phantom Thread”
“The Florida Project” Directed by Sean Baker I’ve had to sit with this one for some time. While I was watching it, my emotional response to the film wavered somewhere between bored and annoyed – something I never felt during … Continue reading “The Florida Project”
“The Post” Directed by Stephen Spielberg Well, you’re just not going to find a better collection of talented film folk in a movie this year. It’s starts with a brilliant script from Liz Hannah and Josh Singer (no relation). They … Continue reading “The Post”
The No Spoiler Critic 