24 June 2022. By Neptune ELVIS ***** This film is as electrifying as Elvis himself! From the first scintillating credits it comes on as exciting as was the King of Rock ‘n Roll, for this is after all a Baz Luhrmann film, which means bombastic and sometimes over-blown, but always entertaining. He’s the director from […]
FILM: INCROYABLE MAIS VRAI ***
17 June 2022. The only release this week is a French film that is worth your while…check out my review and make up your own mind – if your French is fluent… By Neptune INCROYABLE MAIS VRAI *** (vo French) You have to know Quentin Dupieux’s filmography to really appreciate his work: “Rubber’, about a […]
FILM: OPERATION MINCEMEAT
10 June 2022. By Neptune OPERATION MINCEMEAT (La Ruse) **1/2 This film by John Madden, best known for the Oscar-winning “Shakespeare in Love” and the “Marigold Hotel” films, is based on the actual WWII disinformation operation that the British mounted to be able to invade Europe through Sicily in 1943 without jeapordizing thousands of soldiers’ […]
FILM: THE DUKE – 4 stars
3 June 2022. By Neptune THE DUKE **** In such dark times of constant war news and continued world problems, it’s a relief to have such a delightful feel-good film to lean into. To remind us of the amusing, human things of life, and that there is always hope, when you persist. Based on a […]
FILM: TOP GUN: MAVERICK *** – a must for Top Gun fans
27 May 2022. By Neptune I was away last week so these backed-up films may have shorter reviews. We also apologize for the mix-up of titles to UNE HISTOIRE PROVISOIRE (an intriguing film) in the May 13th column. TOP GUN: MAVERICK *** Tom Cruise is back in his Maverick role after 36 years. The […]
FILM: THE NORTHMAN – makes one yearn for censorship
13 May 2022. By Neptune THE NORTHMAN * This is the sort of film that makes one yearn for censorship, as far as both violence and art are concerned. Old Shakespeare must be twirling around in his grave, for his Hamlet seems to be the leitmotif of this dark and bloody film. Based in ancient […]
FILM: THE SANCTITY OF SPACE ****
6 May 2022. By Neptune THE SANCTITY OF SPACE **** Mt. McKinley is the highest mountain peak in North America. But, situated in Alaska, it is now known by its native name, Denali. To avid mountain climbers it is obviously a huge challenge for, as they often repeat, they are literally “driven” to conquer such […]
FILM: DOWNTON ABBEY: A New Era ***1/2
29 April 2022. By Neptune DOWNTON ABBEY: A New Era ***1/2 All is well with the world when one sees such a wonderfully satisfying film. One that is both familiar and new, about decent people whom we’ve been following over the years on TV. Creator and scriptwriter Julian Fellowes and director Simon Curtis have outdone […]
FILM: NACHBARN ***1/2 – Syria through the eyes of a child
22 April 2022. By Neptune I was happily writing a very positive review of the excellent English film, THE DUKE, until I learned its released had been postponed to June 1st. Now we must patiently wait for another 2 months for this delightful film starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren. Pity, it would have lightened […]
FILM: WHEEL OF FORTUNE AND FANTASY ***1/2
15 April 2022. By Neptune CONTES DU HASARD ET AUTRES FANTAISIES (Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy) ***1/2 (vo Japanese) Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi rose to international fame this year due to his film DRIVE MY CAR, which excited the critics. Due to that snowball effect, it ended up with a number of awards as this […]
