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
Tag: Documentary
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
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
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
The sorrowful vampyre is obsessed with blood
The Sorrow and the Pity (1969) Marcel Ophuls (son of French director Max Ophuls) documents the collaboration between French government officials and Nazis during World War II, exploring what people will compromise in order to survive and how a nation responds to an existential crisis. He interviews members of the French resistance as well as… Continue reading The sorrowful vampyre is obsessed with blood
Evil remembered
The Karski Report (2010) Claude Lanzmann interviews Polish resistance fighter, Jan Karski, who details his 1942 meeting with FDR and his efforts to make the President understand the devastation at the Nazi concentration camps. The extent world leaders knew about the atrocities at places like Auschwitz and chose not to act is shameful. A Visitor… Continue reading Evil remembered
Barbosa made Brazil cry when he deceived them with the Rimet Trophy
Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay (2012) This biography traces the influences of magician Ricky Jay, one of the most prolific magicians in Hollywood, appearing in dozens of films and consulting on many more. David Blaine, David Copperfield, Penn and Teller, and Criss Angel are household names, but there’s a significant gap between… Continue reading Barbosa made Brazil cry when he deceived them with the Rimet Trophy
Music of the Underground
Underground (1995) Blacky Popara and a small cadre of associates are trapped in an underground cave in Yugoslvia at the end of the second World War. Blacky’s supposed best friend Marko Dren, a communist party official, tricks them into believing the war continues on the surface so they will make weapons they believe are used to fight… Continue reading Music of the Underground
The Lyme singing punk
The Punk Singer (2013) This documentary details the life of Kathleen Hanna, an influential punk singer with the bands Bikini Kill and Le Tigre who co-founded the riot grrrl movement. Hanna’s sudden retirement in 2005 has long been a source of consternation to her fans. The reason given for her disappearance was creative burn out, but, in reality, she was suffering… Continue reading The Lyme singing punk
Decoding basketball and soccer stories while racing around the world looking for the love of your life
Decoding Deepak (2012) Deepak Chopra has made a fortune as a spiritual advisor to the rich and famous. This film directed by his son, Gotham Chopra, follows Deepak as he goes through Blackberry withdrawal while visiting monks in India, obsesses over his next book, meets with the powerful in corporate boardrooms, and works on a spiritual video game. In a rare… Continue reading Decoding basketball and soccer stories while racing around the world looking for the love of your life