Be Kind Rewind (2008) For some inexplicable reason, Mr. Fletcher (Danny Glover) refuses to upgrade his video rental store to DVDs and continues to rent exclusively VHS tapes. When Mr. Fletcher goes out-of-town, he leaves Mike (Mos Def) in charge, and local weirdo Jerry (Jack Back) magnetizes himself erasing every tape in the store. Mr.… Continue reading Be kind to the women
Palestenian angst
Omar (2013) A pinch of Romeo and Juliet, a dash of The Manchurian Candidate (1962), set in the middle of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It’s boring and forgettable. As I watched it, I could feel the details of the film fading from memory. It reminded me of A Prophet (2009), another critically praised film which left me going “meh.”
We took a picture at the beach
Beaches (1988) The friendship between C.C. Bloom (Bette Midler) and Hilary Whitney (Barbara Hershey) survives cultural differences, social inequalities, petty jealousies, torrid affairs, bitter fights, and death. Midler’s public persona is so similar to C.C., the movie feels like a parody. “Wind Beneath my Wings,” was such a massive hit, it’s difficult to remember she… Continue reading We took a picture at the beach
Porky’s still fat
Meet John Doughboy (1941) This humorous look at military life premiered just before US entry into World War II and provides insight into American attitudes before the war. Porky’s Hare Hunt (1938) This short features an early version of Bugs Bunny with Porky Pig playing the role now usually reserved for Elmer Fudd. Jeepers Creepers (1939) When police… Continue reading Porky’s still fat
The thief from karama lives in the castle in the sky
Karama Has No Walls (2013) This film, chronicling the 2011 Yemeni Revolution, is an interesting, insider account of the uprising, but too short for viewers to invest in the story it tells. Castle in the Sky (1986) Princess Sheeta is the surviving member of a royal line from an ancient civilization and unknowingly possesses the… Continue reading The thief from karama lives in the castle in the sky
Three kings with fantastic hair
The King of Comedy (1983) Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) is an aspiring comedian looking for his big break. He idolizes talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) and dreams of one day performing on his program. When he meets his idol, Pupkin think he’s finally made it, but Langford is dismissive of his talent,… Continue reading Three kings with fantastic hair
Out of the south pacific, into the fifth estate
Out of the Furnace (2013) Russell Blaze (Christian Bale) goes to prison after he kills a little boy in a drunken accident. When he’s released, his dad has died, and his girlfriend, Lena Taylor (Zoe Saldana) is now in a relationship with the city police chief Wesley Barnes (Forest Whittaker). Russell’s brother, Rodney Blaze (Casey… Continue reading Out of the south pacific, into the fifth estate
Let’s purge ourselves of these birds in love
These Birds Walk (2013) This documentary follows a runaway boy and the efforts of humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi to bring peace and stability to Pakistan. It’s more in-depth than the fleeting images from news programs more obsessed with political squabbles than elucidating the real problems facing the world, but as a movie it doesn’t do… Continue reading Let’s purge ourselves of these birds in love
The hot and stormy place
The Place Beyond the Pines (2013) Romina (Eva Mendes) visits her ex-lover, motorcycle stuntman Luke Glanton (Ryan Gosling) to casually tell him he’s the father of her child. She’s shocked and disappointed to find Luke wants to be a part of the child’s life. If movies have taught us nothing else, we know motorcycle drivers… Continue reading The hot and stormy place
There’s no escaping gangsters at the Detroit museum
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) As professional assassin Martin Blank (John Cusack) experiences a personal midlife crisis and a professional crisis with his chief rival, Grocer (Dan Aykroyd), his therapist (Alan Arkin) suggests he attend his tenth high school reunion where he rekindles a romance with Debi Newberry (Minnie Driver). Unfortunately, Martin’s next target is Debi’s… Continue reading There’s no escaping gangsters at the Detroit museum