ph: Laurie Bartley
Saturday, August 28, 2021
Friday, August 27, 2021
First Lines: Günter Grass - The Tin Drum
Granted: I am an inmate of a mental hospital; my keeper is watching me, he never lets me out of his sight; there's a peephole in the door, and my keeper's eye is the shade of brown that can never see through a blue-eyed type like me.
Mr. Stitch (1995)
In a bid to create the ultimate fighting man, Dr. Rue Wakeman harvests organs and tissue from the dead to create Lazarus, an amalgam of dozens of men and women.
Interesting and imaginative take on the Frankenstein topic is stylish The first half reminiscent of THX 1138) and explores the philosophical implications of creating an artificial human (Whil Wheaton in a surprisingly original make-up), but in its finale somewhat descends into a more action-oriented (and more clumsily staged) spectacle; nevertheless well worth a watch.
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Ye yan (2006)
A loose adaptation of Hamlet, "The Night Banquet" is set in an empire in chaos. The Emperor, the Empress, the Crown Prince, the Minister and the General all have their own enemies they would like to finish off at a night banquet.
More inspired by Shakespeare than a true adaptation of Hamlet, this sumptuous and obviously expensive production with visually stunning sets and martial arts scenes, but its narrative lacks logic and coherence and is difficult to follow.
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Don't Drink the Water (1994)
An ordinary American family goes on vacation to Europe. Because of the Cold War they are stuck in the U.S. Embassy surrounding by the Soviet forces.
Lackluster Woody Allen comedy made for TV comes with good
cast and all the typical ingredients one would expect from this
director, but it's all quite haphazard and, strangely, not funny at all.
Halliwell (no star): "Frenetic and stagey version of the play, with broad acting that diminishes what is left of the comedy."
Maltin**: "Uninspired adaptation...Cast works hard, with sporadic results."
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale (2009)
A portrait of the acting craft of John Cazale and a tour through the movies that defined a generation.
Insightful, but much too short celebration of a great actor; lots of famous actors of equal talent get to pay homage.
On re-watching: makes you want re-watch all of John Cazale's films.
Monday, August 23, 2021
First Lines: Graham Greene - The Quiet American
After dinner I sat and waited for Pyle in my room over the rue Catinat; he had said, 'I'll be with you at latest by ten," and when midnight struck I couldn't stay quiet any longer and went down into the street.
Sunday, August 22, 2021
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Diana must contend with a work colleague and businessman, whose desire for extreme wealth sends the world down a path of destruction, after an ancient artifact that grants wishes goes missing.
Although this sequel is a step down from the first film (with quite a silly plot), it still is enjoyable tongue-in-cheek entertainment with an accurate 80s feeling to it, lots of over-the-top action and some credible romance; and Gal Gadot once again proves that she is the absolutely best choice to impersonate this superhero.
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