MISSION IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT ***1/2 For a complete turnabout, run to this movie and don’t ask why or how, just flow with the action! And glory be, this is action as we’ve never seen, even from the intrepid Tom Cruise, who is brilliant at performing his own dare-devil stunts and upping the thrills in each […]
FILM: THE CHILDREN ACT – Adult drama at its very best. 4 stars.
3 August 2018. THE CHILDREN ACT (My Lady) **** This film is an elegant, mature balancing act of sorts. One that will have you enthralled by its passionate reserve, a decidedly British trait, while it juggles moral questions and emotional issues. Public responsibility versus personal anguish. And Richard Eyre, the renowned English theater and TV […]
FILM: HOTEL ARTEMIS – Jody Foster deserves an Oscar nomination
27 July 2018. HOTEL ARTEMIS ***1/2 Jodie Foster deserves an Oscar nomination for her sad, tender portrayal of the woman who runs this peculiar hotel. It has been some time since we’ve seen her in such a meaty role and she does it justice, as she always has – ever since her turn as the […]
FILM: 3 FACES – wisdom from Iran
6 July 2018. 3 FACES **** (vo Farsi) The unending wisdom and gentleness of Jafar Panahi are once again here to delight us. The veteran Iranian director, who is supposedly still under house arrest and prohibited from making films, is back with another tale from a corner of his country. One can only wonder how […]
FILM: SICARIO 2 – day of the soldado
6 July 2018. SICARIO 2 (Day of the soldado) *** But if you’re looking for nerve-wracking tension and thrills, then this film about the Mexican drug cartels is for you. Both Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin are back in their roles as U.S. agents dealing with cross-border drug problems. Their connections with the highest […]
FILM: BLUE NOTE RECORDS – BEYOND THE NOTES ****
29 June 2018. BLUE NOTE RECORDS – BEYOND THE NOTES **** If you love music, especially jazz, this is your documentary. I couldn’t say it better than the blurb for the film: “A revelatory, thrilling and emotional journey behind the scenes of Blue Note Records, the pioneering label that gave voice to some of the […]
FILM: 3 DAYS IN QUIBERON – celebrity in haunting black and white
22 June 2018. This week we have three distinct films about women, all by women directors. Germany/France; Egypt/Iran; Pakistan/Norway. Who said “it’s a man’s world”? 3 DAYS IN QUIBERON **** (vo German) This haunting black and white film feels more beige or grey, as were the convoluted emotions of Romy Schneider, the Austrian/German/French actress who […]
FILM: POPE FRANCIS – A MAN OF HIS WORD ****
15 June 2018. This is a fine week for films – take your pick from this exceptional selection: POPE FRANCIS – A MAN OF HIS WORD **** To start off, there is Wim Wenders’ superb documentary on the Pope. A man of the people who cares for and identifies with the poor. That’s why he […]
FILM: THE BOOK CLUB – star-powered chuckles
8 June 2018. THE BOOK CLUB **1/2 Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen – fine actresses (Keaton and Fonda are both Oscar-winners) and old time troupers. Add Mary Steenburgen and they make up the Book Club, a foursome of close friends from way back who like to read books and discuss literature. Median age around […]
CANNES winners – Neptune’s final report – part 3
25 May 2018. So what was the culmination of the 71st edition of this grandest of all film festivals? I would say the satisfying ‘Palmares’ (awards) handed out by the high-caliber jury headed by the elegant and talented Australian actress, Cate Blanchett. It was indeed a competent jury, since four of its members were among […]
