Category Archives: Reviews

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Has Great Appeal, But Check Your Expectations

Although many will regard Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close as a so-called “911” movie, I think that definition misleads the audience into expecting something completely different than what this film sets out to be. Rather than attempting the monumental task … Continue reading

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Outrage, The Latest Yakuza Film From Takeshi Kitano, Is Not To Be Missed By Any True Fan of the Genre

Anyone who is a yakuza movie fan will love Outrage, the latest US release written and directed by Japan’s legendary Takeshi Kitano (The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi, Brother, Violent Cop). Besides being a fine example of the ultra violent Japanese mafia … Continue reading

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The Other F Word, A Touching Documentary on Punk Rock Fathers, Opens Friday, November 4th

The Other F Word is an insightful, funny, and often ironic tale of the traditional role of fatherhood seen through the eyes of the modern day icons of anti-authority – punk rock musicians. This very candid look into the every … Continue reading

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Ryan Gosling is the Ideal Neo-Noir Hero in Drive

Noir or Neo-Noir, what’s the big difference? Well, a lot more than just color or black and white photography. But the key element of a mysterious, yet sympathetic man caught up in events beyond his control is an essential factor … Continue reading

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Brighton Rock, a British Thriller Revitalizes the Noir

If you want to experience filmmaking as it used to be at the height of the Golden Age of Hollywood, then you’ve got to see Brighton Rock. With its palpable atmosphere and impeccably nuanced mise-en-cine, Brighton Rock may well be … Continue reading

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Battle for Brooklyn: A Fascinating Documentary that Examines the Power of Big Business and the Rights of the Individual

The documentary Battle for Brooklyn is a true David and Goliath story reshaped for the modern age of capitalism. The David in this case is a young man, Daniel Goldstein who at the beginning of the film has recently purchased … Continue reading

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Amigo, John Sayles’ First Film in Four Years was Worth the Wait

John Sayles’ latest film, Amigo, is the tale of a small Filipino village and its struggles during the Philippine-American War. This beautifully realized historical drama is classic Sayles filmmaking at its best. It satisfies the devoted art house fan by … Continue reading

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Why the Final Harry Potter Film Failed

I know that current popular opinion holds Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in high regard. However, I cannot subscribe to that assessment. In fact, I find the final installment to the highly successful fantasy series to be … Continue reading

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Agora – An Historical Picture without Much to Offer Besides a Pretty Leading Lady

Spanish-Chilean director Alejandro Amenabar (The Others) takes a less than impressive turn with the historical drama, Agora staring Rachel Weisz as an atheist philosopher in 391AD. Set in Roman Egypt, Agora (according to its own description) is about an inquisitive … Continue reading

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“A Better Life”: A Better Summer Film if You Like Good Stories

  “A Better Life” tells the tale of an illegal immigrant father and his American born teenage son. The father is a sincere and honest man who works exhausting hours as a landscaper so his fourteen year old can live … Continue reading

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