Monthly Archives: July 2021

So how do we compartmentalize and allegorize “Gunpowder Milkshake,” the hit-woman action “comedy” starring Karen Gillan? “Joanna Wick?” “Gloria” at half speed? “La Femme Samantha?” “Sin City” sans most sins? Set in a lurid, neon-soaked underworld of gangs, gangsters and … Continue reading →

When it premiered in 1989, “D-Man in the Waters” was hailed as “dance of the moment,” a symbolic, energetic and balletic piece that “radiates life in the face of tragedy.” The co-founder of the Jones-Zane Company that created it had … Continue reading →

Dr. Seuss would have loved Peter Wohlleben. The writer who dreamed up the line “I speak for the trees” would appreciate a real, live Lorax among us. “The most famous forester in Germany” has become a worldwide spokesman for what’s … Continue reading →

The “coming of age/first summer romance” hallmarks are all over “Last Summer,” a Turkish take on a Hollywood staple. Period piece, like “Dirty Dancing” and “The Way Way Back” and many others? Check. Beach resort with lots of skin and … Continue reading →

A $39 million+ Friday (and Thursday night $13.2 million) makes ScarJo the Queen of the post-pandemic box office. “Black Widow” is rolling in the cash, racking up one of the best July opening weekends ever — well, top ten best. … Continue reading →

True confessions time. Be honest. We ALL first heard tell of this Nicolas Cage project “Pig” and thought, “Nic goes John Wick over a truffle pig.” Scan the Internet for postings of the first trailer to Michael Sarnoski’s film. Just … Continue reading →

In my mind, and perhaps in yours, I saw Cage going all John Wick in this “Truffle Hunters” tale. You don’t mess with a man’s truffle hunting pig. No-sir. As someone who makes it a point to watch everything the … Continue reading →

Best thing about Jason Mamoa taking on Aquaman? He gets into a much better class of B-movies. Fun actor, great presence, wonderful big screen bad ass.

“Holy Beasts (“La Fiera y la Fiesta)” is a movie about making a movie, an “art film” about old friends gathering to make a murdered filmmaker’s long-planned dream project in his native Santo Domingo. Geraldine Chaplin plays the aged actress … Continue reading →

No movie I’ve seen this year has hit me harder than “Cousins.” This heartfelt, emotionally wrenching story set among New Zealand’s indigenous Maori is poetry on screen, a compact saga of one extended family’s history and the lost cousin that … Continue reading →