KARDEC – True story of Professor Léon Rivail who became Kardec in late 19th century France when he discovered spiritualism, prompting him to write The Spirits’ Book. I had never heard of this book, but apparently it is well known, especially in Brazil. Naturally the book created much conflict with both Emperor Napoléon and theContinue reading
Tag Archives: Film
CODA – Remarkable film depicting the experience of a deaf family in a hearing world. Impressive on so many levels. Deaf actors are cast in all the deaf roles. The work is outstanding. The story is unique and informative. Troy Kotsur who portrays Frank, the dad, is incredible. He is nominated for a Screen ActorsContinue reading
BELFAST – Written and directed by Kenneth Branagh, this film is a snapshot of a day in the life of folks living in Belfast during the extreme violence between the Catholics and Protestants in 1969. Gritty and raw, it tells this disturbing tale through the eyes of an 11-year old boy who lived it….that boyContinue reading
NIGHTMARE ALLEY – Bradley Cooper delivers a riveting performance in this intense, disturbing film based on the novel by William Lindsay Gresham. With it’s all-star line-up of Willem Dafoe, Cate Blanchett and Richard Jenkins, we are thrust into the dark abyss of the dregs of society and charlatans who cruelly prey upon folks desperate forContinue reading
PATSY & LORETTA – Back in 1981 Sissy Spacek won an Oscar for her outstanding portrayal of Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter. That film revealed the close friendship between Loretta and Patsy Cline. This film from 2019 is a deep dive into that relationship. The dichotomy and attraction between these two iconic country musicContinue reading
THE FATHER – Anthony Hopkins won an Oscar for his heartbreaking portrayal of an elderly man sinking into the dark abyss of dementia. His performance is brilliant. Olivia Colman is equally superb as his daughter. I had to be in the right frame of mind to finally watch this film because I knew it wasContinue reading
RED JOAN – Judi Dench stars in this film based on the book which is loosely based on the story of Melitta Norwood. Norwood became known as the granny spy when she was arrested in her English garden at the age of 87 for smuggling information to the Russians forty years earlier during World WarContinue reading
AMERICAN NIGHT – Violent film (think Quentin Tarantino) starring Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Emile Hirsch and Paz Vega. It’s not my kind of film, but I am a Jonathan fan, so when the screener arrived, I watched it. Jonathan delivers his usual intense, stellar performance. The rest of the cast is also quite good. But, alas, notContinue reading
A LITTLE CHAOS – A piece of historical fiction from 2014 directed by Alan Rickman (who also plays King Louis) and starring Kate Winslet and a dreamy leading man, Matthias Schoenaerts. It also features Helen McCrory, one of my favorites as most of you know. Stanley Tucci sparkles in a delightful turn as the king’sContinue reading
A GHOST STORY – aptly named and misleading at the same time, this piece is not what the title suggests. It’s not a ghost story, it’s a ghost’s story. One which poignantly asks us to consider the meaning of life and death. At times achingly slow, and yet somehow appropriately paced, I was often thinking,Continue reading
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