9 years ago
Reviews (10 posts found)
Don’t Call “Miss Lovely” a Bollywood Movie
Bathed in the red lights of a bygone era, Miss Lovely shines as a Hindi answer to Boogie Nights with more than a few nods to film noir. The figures that color this world are just as intriguing as the Dario Argento-esque lighting and the aged film techniques us...
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“Jersey Boys” A Jukebox Musical That Revels in Kitsch Instead Of Music
KITSCH, noun. /kiCH/. 1. art, objects, or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way.
That’s what Clint Eastwood’s films are becoming. Kitsch. Jersey Boys - ...
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“Venus in Fur” A Vibrant, Rich Drama Full of Meta Twists
The later years of Roman Polanski’s career, after the turn of the century, have taken him to vastly different highs and lows. From his somber, Palme-winning WWII epic to the chilling, seaside world of British politics, the unimaginative adaptation of a beloved...
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“Le Chef” Is More Like Fast Food Than Haute Cuisine
There's a clear link between Le Chef and French cuisine: they're both tasty. But while emblematic dishes like boeuf bourguignon, Alsatian foie gras, or Provencal bouillabaisse are famous for their finesse and richness, Daniel Cohen's film is more like cinemati...
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“Norte, The End of History” Is Lav Diaz’s Greatest Achievement To Date
During the intermission for Norte, The End of History, the fellow next to me mused that during the first scene, the wife could be seen wandering around in the background. He had a keen eye he was eager to show off, and at this point I felt like I'd just walked...
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“Borgman” Is Your New Favorite Bogeyman
In a house in the woods, a man with a dog puts on his shoes and strides out the door. Nearby, a man with an axe joins the man with the dog. The man with the dog and the man with the axe enter a church and lock eyes with the priest, who is just exiting the rect...
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“The Rover” Is A Road Trip That Goes Nowhere
His hair caked with blood and dirt, face covered with a spiky, unkempt beard and head circled with buzzing horseflies, Guy Pearce's character in The Rover looks almost identical to his Western gunslinger in John Hillcoat's 2005 film The Proposition. Sub gang l...
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“Evergreen: The Road to Legalization” Barely Scratches The Surface of Marijuana Legalization
Surprise, surprise: a documentary that chronicles political maneuverings to legalize marijuana in Washington state plays it mellow. For 80 minutes, Riley Morton's new film, Evergreen: The Road to Legalization, tries admirably to avoid taking the rah-rah road a...
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“Manuscripts Don’t Burn” Worthy of Support In Spite of Its Problems
I couldn't quite jibe with Manuscripts Don't Burn, but I'm glad it exists. In fact, this film deserves support, even though it's rattled by not-insignificant flaws. Director Mohammad Rasoulof is one of many Iranian filmmakers currently experiencing the squeeze...
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“The Rover” Just Another Rusty, Uninspired Dystopian Picture
I think we need to declare a moratorium on post-apocalyptic stories. Or at least, maybe artists should have to get special permission to make them, via a rigorous pitch process through which they demonstrate that they have something new to bring to the table. ...
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