And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, come and see! And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him John 6. 7-8 (New Testament) Recent events in the US have put the … Continue reading Nazism and the impact of World War II as depicted on Film
Month: September 2017
The Two Reviews: Maudie and It
Maudie (2016) Directed by Aisling Walsh, starring Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke Maudie is a small-budget Irish/Canadian film based on the life of Nova Scotia painter Maud Lewis (played by Sally Hawkins), and her long but volatile relationship with the illiterate, ill-at-ease and often belligerent Everett Lewis (Ethan Hawke). The film begins with Maud as … Continue reading The Two Reviews: Maudie and It
Rule 21: The ‘Director’s Cut’ is Always the Best Version of the Movie, Except When it isn’t
There are certain rules known only to a select few by which it is possible to predict the quality of movies. The origin of these rules is often obscure and difficult to explain. One, which has entered common thought, is Rule 21: "The 'Director’s Cut' is always the best version of the movie, except when … Continue reading Rule 21: The ‘Director’s Cut’ is Always the Best Version of the Movie, Except When it isn’t
Adaptations Part 3: A Painted Devil Twice Imagined as The Beguiled
Below you will find two reviews: one of The Beguiled from 2017, directed by Sofia Coppola, and another of The Beguiled from 1971, directed by Don Siegel. Both are contrasting adaptations of the 1966 novel of the same name by Thomas P. Cullinan (it was originally released under the title ‘A Painted Devil’). The Beguiled (2017, … Continue reading Adaptations Part 3: A Painted Devil Twice Imagined as The Beguiled
The Two Reviews: The Trip to Spain (2017 Michael Winterbottom)
‘…a rather lackluster way to end the trilogy…’ This is the third installment of Coogan and Brydon’s sojourn of comic impersonations, while sampling culinary delights and generally driving about. The first was set in Northern England, the second along the coast of Italy and now the third in Spain. This is the least interesting of … Continue reading The Two Reviews: The Trip to Spain (2017 Michael Winterbottom)
The Score is Not Settled: 7 More Great Cinematic Musical Compositions
Unlike a previous post, which also dealt with great cinematic scores, here disagreements are not welcomed. The following selection may not be your favourite movie scores but they sure as hell should be in your top ten. These are a selection of soundtracks which were integral to the telling of the story, which lifted the … Continue reading The Score is Not Settled: 7 More Great Cinematic Musical Compositions
A Few New Reviews: A Ghost Story, American Made, Atomic Blonde and Logan Lucky
A Ghost Story (Directed by David Lowery, starring Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck) This is a slow-paced but absorbing film about grief and loss. It is not a horror story in any sense, but let’s call it a romance / drama – it concerns a ghost occupying his home following his sudden death and watching … Continue reading A Few New Reviews: A Ghost Story, American Made, Atomic Blonde and Logan Lucky