3 February 2023. By Neptune A MAN CALLED OTTO (Le pire voisin du monde) **1/2 There’s no doubt about it, this one is a crowd-pleaser. It’s the slow-brewing story of Otto, a grouchy man who has lost his beloved wife and also his will to live. But there’s always hope, isn’t there, in the form […]
FILM: TAR **** simply brilliant
27 January 2023. By Neptune TAR **** One expects excellence when Cate Blanchett is in a film, and this one certainly does not disappoint. She has already garnered quite a few awards for it and will most probably end up with another Oscar. In her career she has accumulated 2 Oscars, 3 BAFTAS and 4 […]
FILM: BABYLON *** – a work not easily forgotten
20 January 2023. By Neptune BABYLON ***1/2 Here is an unabashed homage to the magic and enchantment of cinema by Damien Chazelle, the writer/director who made that other love letter to filmdom, LALALAND, which was a romantic though tragic take on the effects of Tinseltown on its characters set in a musical. Babylon takes a […]
FILM: THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN **
6 January 2023. By Neptune THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN ** I’m going out on a limb on this one. All the critics are drooling over this film and, starting off as a big winner at the Venice film festival, it’s going to all the award shows such as the Golden Globes, Oscars, et al… Of […]
FILM: I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY ***
23 December 2022. By Neptune I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY *** This is the biopic about the beautiful Whitney Houston of the magnificent voice. Who can ever forget her electrifying rendition of “I Will Always Love You”, from her film, “The Bodyguard”? Director Kasi Lemmons handles Houston’s turbulent life with all its ups and downs […]
FILM: NO BEARS **** – secret glimpses of Iran
16 December 2022. By Neptune NO BEARS (AUCUN OURS) **** (vo Farsi) Jafar Panahi of Iran has been at it again. This is his fifth film made in secret and smuggled out to the world, as he has been banned from making films or leaving the country since 2010. The authorities finally put this great, […]
FILM: MOTHER TERESA AND ME (Kavita & Teresa) ***
9 December 2022. By Neptune It seems this week you’ll have a lot of movie-going, for there are four good ones coming out – all with 3 stars, which means ‘very good’. So depending on your inclinations, you’ve got choices galore! MOTHER TERESA AND ME (Kavita & Teresa) *** This film is the story of […]
FILM: GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE ****
2 December 2022. By Neptune GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE ( Mes rendezvous avec Leo) **** It never fails with Emma Thompson. Any character she portrays shines with authenticity – from a judge in “The Children Act”, a German wife in “Alone in Berlin”, an Austen damsel in “Sense and Sensibility”, or a lonely […]
FILM: GUILLERMO DEL TORO’s PINOCCHIO ****
25 November 2022. By Neptune This has been a busy week for me due to a family arrival, many events and Thanksgiving thoughts (we certainly can be grateful being here in peaceful, well-run Switzerland!), so this week’s reviews will be brief. But as always, I shall try to lead you to the best in cinema… […]
FILM: RESTE UN PEU ***1/2
18 November 2022. By Neptune RESTE UN PEU ***1/2 (vo French) Gad Elmaleh is a popular French comedian and actor who with this second film as director has created quite a furore, even before its release. And the reason is that this tender comedy involving his family is actually about his wanting to convert […]
