Saturday, July 24, 2021
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
The story of 7 people on trial stemming from various charges surrounding the uprising at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois.
This courtroom drama based on actual historic events is both revealing and entertaining and makes a strong case for justice and (American) constitutionality against a criminally adversary administration; a great ensemble film with Sacha Baron Cohen stealing the show.
La peau blanche (2004)
Two roommates discover that the family of one of their girlfriends is populated with vampires.
An interesting, but not completely successful variation on the vampire genre comes up god with atmosphere, its Montreal locations and a capable cast, but doesn't quite excite, and the surprising ending is not really satisfactory.
Friday, July 23, 2021
First Lines: John Buchan - The Thirty-Nine Steps
I returned from the City about three o'clock on that May afternoon pretty well disgusted with life.
Thursday, July 22, 2021
Greetings (1968)
3 friends in NYC discuss how to dodge the draft and Vietnam, JFK assassination, voyeurism, computer dating etc.
Made
with a good sense for cinematic images and sequences and with some wit
(albeit not always in good taste), nicely photographed on location, this
student film has a rather sprawling narrative and is mostly a
hit-and-run affair.
Halliwell*: "Kaleidoscopic stringing together of fleeting satirical bits; talent undeniable but equally uncontrolled."
Maltin***: "Loose, informal, improvisational satire...Exudes a late '60s N.Y.C.-Greenwich Village ambience not to be found in any Hollywood feature."
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
Son of a Lion (2007)
11 year old Niaz's father has been a Pashtun on jihad in Afghanistan. Back in Darra in NWFP of Pakistan, where guns and hashish are common, he wants Niaz to learn to shoot and work in his gun workshop, while Niaz wants to go to school.
Entirely cast with amateurs and filmed on location, this film has the feel of a documentary and sure-handedly gives a realistic and revealing portrait of the region and its people.
Monday, July 19, 2021
Sunday, July 18, 2021
The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019)
Continuing the story of Max and his pet friends, following their secret lives after their owners leave them for work or school each day.
Lively, hilarious and entertaining animal animation comedy, just as good as the original; great family fare.
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