“All the Money In the World” Directed by Ridley Scott So you say you’ve heard how Christopher Plummer came out of nowhere to help complete Ridley Scott’s latest drama, “All the Money In the World” after the disgraced Kevin Spacey … Continue reading “All the Money In the World”
“The Shape of Water” Directed by Guillermo del Toro For some reason I was reticent to see del Toro’s newest creature-based parable. Not sure if it was because I didn’t think it would live up to the hype currently surrounding … Continue reading “The Shape of Water”
“Molly’s Game” Directed by Aaron Sorkin “Molly’s Game” delivers pretty much exactly what you would expect from a Sorkin script: smart, snappy and witty dialogue expressing themes that shoot far beyond the limitations of whatever the actual story purports to … Continue reading “Molly’s Game”
“Call Me by Your Name” Directed by Luca Guadagnino Let’s get the superlatives out of the way to start so you won’t kill me for the rest of what I’m about to say. “Call Me by Your Name” is beautiful, … Continue reading “Call Me by Your Name”
“Mudbound” Directed by Dee Rees A brutally honest look at the post-WWII vet experience for those living in the isolated rural nooks and crannies of the Deep South (Mississippi), “Mudbound” is as languid as the surroundings and as heartbreaking as … Continue reading “Mudbound”
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Directed by Martin McDonagh A huge Martin McDonagh fan, I couldn’t wait to see this film. I mean, his irreverence combined with small-town America and a cast filled with heavyweights who can handle McDonagh’s version … Continue reading “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
“Darkest Hour” Directed by Joe Wright Joe Wright’s “Darkest Hour”, a brilliantly executed film, completes what will be known as the “Dunkirk” trilogy of 2017, even if they are a trilogy in historical aspect only. “Their Finest”, the excellent yet … Continue reading “Darkest Hour”
“Lady Bird” Directed by Greta Gerwig Perhaps one of the most moving films about adolescent individuation…and the obstacles in the path of that goal…ever made, Greta Gerwig’s “Lady Bird” is without peer. I mean it. Whether discussing its honest script, … Continue reading “Lady Bird”
“Aurora Borealis” (Hungary) Directed by Márta Mészáros The plethora of good Hungarian films dealing with the WWII experience (whether pre- or post-war) at this year’s Chicago Film Fest has been extraordinary. So it’s fitting that my last festival screening was … Continue reading 53rd Chicago Int’l. Film Fest #24: “Aurora Borealis” (Hungary)
“Have A Nice Day” (China) Directed by Jian Liu This trifling from China, an animated film based on a graphic novel, is oddly interesting for its occasional artistry and characters at best. Alas, at worst it is dull and has … Continue reading 53rd Chicago Int’l. Film Fest #23: “Have A Nice Day” (China)
