Monthly Archives: November 2014

Movie Review: “The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness” takes us inside Studio Ghibli

Posted on November 23, 2014 by Roger Moore

“The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness” is a great name for a documentary about Hayao Miyazaki and his animation house, Japan’s Studio Ghibli. His Oscar winning “Spirited Away” and fantasies such as “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Ponyo” established him as … Continue reading →

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Today’s first screening: “Mr. Turner”

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Roger Moore

Mike Leigh’s bio-pic of Britain’s “greatest artist,” J.M. W. Turner, gives his muse, Timothy Spall, a great star vehicle. A lovely looking period piece performed in almost indecipherable Cockney, or so we’ve been told. Dying to see it, maybe a … Continue reading →

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Weekend Movies: Brit critics, fanboys tilt “Mockingjay” reviews

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Roger Moore

Looking at the all-important Rottentomatoes Tomatometer on Monday, your eyes might have popped at the near 90% positive rating the latest “Hunger Games” film, “Mockingjay — Part 1,” was earning. Those are “Gravity” numbers, “Avatar” level appreciation. Then you scan … Continue reading →

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Today’s First Screening: “The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness”

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Roger Moore

Looking forward to this documentary about Hiyao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli and the magical hand-drawn animated empire that was born there. Anime fairytales, Japanese folk tales, Japanese history and Steam Punk, all came off the pens of this animation innovator. “The … Continue reading →

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Disney’s new “Cinderella,” trailer offers a cute first look

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Roger Moore

Lily James has the title role. But Cate Blanchett as the wicked stepmother and Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother? Digging that. It’s lovely to look at — period costumes, lust forests, over-saturated Technicolor palette. In 3D? I wonder. … Continue reading →

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Movie Review: “Reach Me”

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Roger Moore

“Reach Me” is an indie comedy whose primary virtue is its cast, well-known actors who took small roles on a lark — a chance to play against “type.” So here’s Sylvester Stallone as a rich, ruthless gossip website operator, a … Continue reading →

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Movie Review: “Two-Bit Waltz” brings another Mamet to the big screen

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Roger Moore

Clara Mamet makes her film directing debut with “Two-Bit Waltz,” an inconsequential, self-consciously quirky coming of age comedy from an actress-playwright testing her movie-making wings at the ripe old age of 20. The castmember of TV’s “The Neighbors” has made … Continue reading →

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“Peanuts” trailer lets Fox declare war on “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Roger Moore

Yes, it looks like the Blue Sky CG production of the “Peanuts” movie will have little or nothing to do with the classic “Peanuts” TV specials. Nobody expected a remake, mind you. And it may have its charms. But releasing … Continue reading →

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Movie Review: “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1”

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Roger Moore

Dark and hazy, relentlessly glum and dull, “The Hunger Games — MockingJay Part 1” is the first film in this sci-fi series to refuse to even attempt to stand on its own. If you haven’t seen the previous films, good … Continue reading →

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Movie Review: “Point and Shoot”

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Roger Moore

In a cinema recently overrun with combat documentaries, Marshall Curry’s “Point and Shoot” manages a first. Here’s a film that captures the romance of war amongst today’s young and testosterone-fueled. Want to know why young men from all over the … Continue reading →

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