Leon Morin, Priest (1961) A communist rabble-rouser (Emmanuelle Riva) goes to confession to pick a fight with a priest (Jean-Paul Belmondo); they develop a friendship and meet regularly to discuss issues of faith. Like the philosophical movies of Carl Th. Dreyer or Louis Malle’s My Dinner with Andre (1981), this film by Jean-Pierre Melville is basically a two-hour… Continue reading The priest of Wall Street
Wagging the dog in the jungle
The Jungle Book (1967) Inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s novel, Bagheera, a black panther, takes an orphaned boy he finds in the jungle to live with a pack of wolves. Years later, the wolf tribe learns Shere Khan (George Saunders) has returned to the jungle and realize the young boy, Mowgli, is in danger. Despite his protests,… Continue reading Wagging the dog in the jungle
A pathetic explanation and a delightful blue bird
Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain (2013) This is a concert film of Kevin Hart’s 2013 sold out Madison Square Garden show. I enjoyed the television show Undeclared, and Hart’s 2013 Saturday Night Live appearance was decent, but this was my first exposure to his stand up act. Sadly, most of his “jokes revolve around the difficulties of being… Continue reading A pathetic explanation and a delightful blue bird
A little bit of drinking, a little bit of grass, and a tiny thumb
Drinking Buddies (2013) Kate (Olivia Wilde) and Luke (Jake Johnson) are coworkers at a Chicago brewery. Despite their obvious compatibility and attraction, they’re only friends because Kate is dating Chris (Ron Livingston), while Luke is in a relationship with Jill (Anna Kendrick). As Kate and Luke grow closer, their relationships are tested. Director Joe Swanberg… Continue reading A little bit of drinking, a little bit of grass, and a tiny thumb
Taxes, water, and fashion statements
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) During the middle of a severe drought, one 19th century Indian village asks the local British magistrate for relief from the annual land tax (lagaan). Somehow, this request turns into a wager: if the villagers defeat the magistrate’s cricket team, their land tax is cancelled for three… Continue reading Taxes, water, and fashion statements
Joyful and embarrasing
Swades: We, the People (2004) NASA engineer Mohan Bhargava goes to India to visit his grandmother after his parent’s death where he discovers a passion for his heritage and falls in love with an old childhood friend. Eventually, he must choose between his homeland and his work . India film culture is almost like an echo of classic Hollywood… Continue reading Joyful and embarrasing
The Baron, the warriors, and a big fan
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) An elderly man claiming to be the Baron von Münchausen interrupts a play supposedly based on his life to point out its many inaccuracies and correct the record. When the Angel of Death comes to collect Münchausen, he escapes in a hot air balloon made from women’s underwear. The… Continue reading The Baron, the warriors, and a big fan
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3 Idiots (2009) 35 Up (1991) The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958) 8 1/2 (1963) 12 Years a Slave (2013) 12:08 East of Bucharest (2006) 21 Grams (2003) 42 Up (1998) 45 Years (2015) 50/50 (2011) 63 Up (2019) (500) Days of Summer (2009) 1883 (2022) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1916)
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About a Boy (2002) About Schmidt (2002) About Time (2013) Absence of Malice (1981) The Abyss (1989) The Act of Seeing with One’s Own Eyes (1971) The Adam Project (2022) Adaptation. (2002) Adua and Her Friends (1960) The Adventures of Baron Münchausen (1988) The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999) The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl (2005) After Death (1915) After Life (1998) After Tiller (2013)… Continue reading A
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The Babadook (2014) Babes in Arms (1939) Baby Doll (1956) Baby Geniuses (1999) Back in Time (2015) Back to the Future (1985) Back to the Future Part II (1989) Back to the Future Part III (1990) Bad Boys (2014) Bad Day at Black Rock (1955) The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call, New Orleans (2009) Bad Santa (2003) The Bad Seed (1956) The Balcony (1963) Ball of… Continue reading B