(art: Liniers)
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Wadjda (2012)
An enterprising Saudi girl signs on for her school's Koran recitation competition as a way to raise the remaining funds she needs in order to buy the green bicycle that has captured her interest.
A simple
story, beautifully told with realism and good eye for details, gives
light to the everyday inequalities of life in Saudi Arabia and manages
to do so without harshness, but with an uplifting spirit.
Maltin***: "Engaging story, told with directness and humor, which quietly conveys many truths about societal norms in the Arab world. Young Mohammed, making her screen debut, is a charming and completely believable heroine."
Friday, March 26, 2021
Thursday, March 25, 2021
First Lines: Kai Ashante Wilson - The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps
The merchants and burdened camels went on ahead into the station at Mother of Waters.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.
Easy-going (like its titular character), serendipitous drama, full of black humor and numerous memorable sequences and with a colorful ensemble of eccentric characters is thoroughly entertaining; an instant cult classic.
Halliwell**: "A meandering thriller that provides a great deal of incidental pleasures on a journey to nowhere in particular."
Maltin**1/2: "One big shaggy-dog joke, courtesy of the Coen brothers...Mostly an excuse for off-the-wall character vignettes, some of which are amusing, some of which are just...strange. Minor Coen concoction with a most agreeable cast. Turturro is a standout as Jesus the bowler, but Bridges' Dave the Dude has become a pop culture icon."
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Ride With the Devil (1999)
During the American Civil War, two friends join the Bushwhackers, a militant group loyal to the Confederacy.
Excellently
and beautifully directed Western with an excellent cast takes its time
to analyze the causes and effects of war, but somehow fails to make a
lasting impact due to a lack of focus on its agenda.
Halliwell**: "Dour, beautifully photographed semi-western, a harsh drama of idealism corrupted and redeemed; it ably shows the futility of war, as both sides commit atrocities and betrayals, but might have benefitted from a maturer point of view than that of its youthful participants."
Maltin**1/2: "Interesting subject matter is diffused by overlong, sometimes unfocused treatment, though the time and place are well drawn. Pop singer Jewel makes an impressive acting debut."
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Man on the Moon (1999)
The life and career of legendary comedian of Andy Kaufman.
A
great director and Jim Carrey do their best to explain this strange
comedian's appeal, but alas, Andy Kaufman's humor never sparks a laugh,
and he appears to have been a rather disagreeable fellow.
Halliwell*: "An intriguing story of an unusual an uncomfortable talent, with a good performance from Carrey; those who were never exposed to Kaufman's comedy are likely to need more convincing that he is worth this elaborate treatment."
Maltin**: "Carrey perfectly embodies his subject, but it's impossible to get inside Kaufman's head and understand what made him so very, very strange, on-stage and off...if indeed it's worth the effort."
Monday, March 22, 2021
Sunday, March 21, 2021
The Duel (2016)
A Texas Ranger investigates a series of unexplained deaths in a town called Helena.
Dark, brooding, at times hallucinatory tale has good production value and some moments, but it's plot development is slow and indecisive, even irritating; no problem for Woody Harrelson doing his thing.
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