Saturday, December 16, 2017
Don Camillo monsignore... ma non troppo (1961)
Don Camillo is now a bishop, Peppone is now a senator, but their rivalry is as fierce as when they were just a village priest, and a village administrator.
Entertaining, but now even more episodic continuation of the popular series.
On renewed viewing: still as much fun as the previous versions.
A Sound of Thunder (2005)
When a scientist sent back to the prehistoric era strays off the path he causes a chain of events that alters history in disastrous ways.
Disappointingly below-average sci-fi yarn has a silly, logic-defying plot, poor performances and risible special effects to match; it does show some imagination with its array of mutant creatures.
Maltin*1/2: "Misguided expansion of Ray Bradbury short story with mediocre effects and a confusing script. It's easy to see why this remained on the shelf so long."
First Lines: T.H. White - The Sword in the Stone
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays it was Court Hand and Summulae Logicales, while the rest of the week it was the Organon, Repetition and Astrology.
Friday, December 15, 2017
Steve Jobs (2015)
Steve Jobs takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution, to paint a portrait of the man at its epicenter. The story unfolds backstage at three iconic product launches, ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac.
Energetic, breathless tour-de-force character study easily makes one forget that it mostly consists of talking heads; Winslet and Fassbender deliver amazing performances.
Woman Times Seven (1967)
Seven mini-stories of adultery: "Funeral Possession," a wayward widow at her husband's funeral; "Amateur Night," angry wife becomes streetwalker out of revenge; "Two Against One," seemingly prudish girl turns out otherwise; "Super Simone," wife vainly attempts to divert her over-engrossed writer husband; "At the Opera," a battle over a supposedly exclusive dress; "Suicides," a death pact; "Snow," would-be suitor is actually a private detective hired by jealous husband.
Slight and not really that amusing gender comedy without any depth; Shirley MacLaine is the only attraction in this anthology.
Halliwell (no star): "Humourless after-dinner entertainment."
Maltin***: "...some funny moments, some perceptive comments, but with that cast and director, it should have been much better."
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
First Lines: John P. Marquand - Think Fast, Mr. Moto
It had not taken Wilson Hitchings long to realize that the firm of Hitchings Brothers had its definitive place in the commercial aristocracy of the East, and that China had retained a respect for mercantile tradition which had disappeared from the Occidental world.
Monday, December 11, 2017
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Fearing that the actions of Superman are left unchecked, Batman takes on the Man of Steel, while the world wrestles with what kind of a hero it really needs.
Above-average superhero drama delivers the goods (mostly mayhem) and adds tension to the encounter of Batman and Superman plus some badly needed help from Wonder Woman, collateral damage included.
Sunday, December 10, 2017
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