I had trouble finding a hook for a critique of the excellent Coen Brother’s film, Miller’s Crossing. I read several reviews, even going so far as to read Roger Ebert’s pedestrian analysis. As to be expected, Ebert, who seemingly offers reviews from beyond the grave like a Dracula with press credentials, the piece was about […]
Miller’s Crossing
March 19, 2020 by
Film Title
Miller's CrossingSynopsis
Gangsters, Prohibition and a guy with a gambling problem trying to play both sides
Director
Joel & Ethan CoenCast
Gabriel Byrne
Albert Finney
John Turturro
Jon Polito
Marcia Gay Harden
Steve Buscemi
J.E. Freeman
A Monster’s Ode to John Welsh
February 5, 2020 by
In the 1970s and 1980s I worked on several movies by the Arkansas based filmmaker, Charles B. Pierce. He achieved minor fame and a cult following for his films, The Legend of Boggy Creek and The Town that Dreaded Sundown. [EDITOR’S NOTE: Both included with Amazon Prime] The Legend of Boggy Creek was a pseudo […]
The 1939 movie year: First in a series.
January 27, 2020 by
A recent question on Jeopardy reminded me 1939 was a banner year for the release of the greatest number of quality films ever in a single year. Most were the product of the studio system. I will briefly discuss some of my favorites, starting with my favorite film genre, the Western. Jesse James ( “He […]
Dark Waters
January 16, 2020 by
Film Title
Dark WatersSynopsis
Just another example of blood on the hands of DuPont Chemical
Director
Todd HaynesCast
Mark Ruffalo
Anne Hathaway
Tim Robbins
Bill Camp
Bill Pullman
The French born Chemist E. I. du Pont arrived in the United States on January 1st 1800, a symbolic date for several reasons. (Aaron Burr came within a hair’s breadth of becoming president in the election of that year). In 1802 he established a factory in Wilmington Delaware to manufacture gun powder, using the improved formula of […]
Ford v. Ferrari: A Final Look
January 12, 2020 by
Film Title
Ford v. FerrariSynopsis
Two Guys with some Hot Wheels
Director
James MangoldCast
Matt Damon
Christian Bale
Josh Lucas
Tracy Letts
Caitriona Balfe
Remo Girone
Jon Bernthal
The first thing you notice about Ford v Ferrari is the sound, even before the first frame of picture. The telltale sound of motor racing. Cars speeding by. The Doppler effect, changes of perspective, gears changing, the sound of breaks, wheels on the track. The crowds. Sounds there throughout the racing scenes. Sound that puts […]
Another Look At Some Of The Significant Films Of The Past Decade
January 3, 2020 by
The last decade has given the film viewer a tidal wave of sewage in the form of endless remakes, sequels, and a combination of the two with comic book superhero movies. It is just the way the film industry’s way of saying, we’re bereft of imagination and are willing to pander to vulgar tastes of […]
The Evil That Men Can Do: 3 Movies
December 17, 2019 by
Men have reasons for the evil acts they commit. Some men. The new film streaming on Amazon Prime, The (Torture) Report, makes this clear. The men of The Irishman practice evil as a matter of course, without a thought. As mob accountant Otto Biederman, famously said, “Nothing personal, it’s just business.” The effect, however, is […]
1917
December 1, 2019 by
Film Title
1917Synopsis
Two young British soldiers are given a critical mission that, if accomplished, will save 1600 soldiers from certain death
Cast
Andrew Scott
Benedict Cumberbatch
Dean-Charles Chapman
George Mackay
John Hollingworth
Richard Madden
1917 is a horror story. It is a journey to hell and back. It ends at the place where it began, in a field of flowers under a tree. It is a story of duty, comradeship and loss. It is a technical marvel. It takes place on April 6, 1917, the day the United States […]
The King (2019)
November 24, 2019 by
Film Title
The King (2019)Synopsis
The young king, crowned by Henry V must manage politics, war, and other issues
Director
David MichodCast
Timothee Chalamet
Sean Harris
Joel Edgerton
Tom Glynn-Carney
Ben Mendelson
Steven Elder
I brought two prejudices to watching The King, the new film about England’s Henry V. This was Shakespeare’s Henry V, and the Henry V of history. The King is not Shakespeare, and is certainly not history. It is however, a mildly enjoyable film. In the beginning, the film has Prince Hal or Harry, the future […]
The Trail Boss Ayatollah
November 19, 2019 by
Recently I ran afoul of the faithful when I attempted to herd some precious cattle off the Elysium fields of cinema. The result was hurt feelings. Not mine. I know it just a movie but some people insist on putting way too much of themselves into it. They embrace adjectives like, genius, and innovator, phrases […]
