Monthly Archives: July 2021

The teaser trailer doesn’t tell us much — generations of women, Penelope Cruz of course, babies, life… But how much does it need to tell other than it’s Almodovar? “Madres Paralelas” is about to premiere at the Venice FFest. Sony … Continue reading →

A rich eccentric finances an artiste’s latest movie “blockbuster” sounds silly enough. But that cast!

A few things hamstring the “Affair to Remember-ish” romance “The Last Letter from Your Lover,” a Netflix film adapted from the Jojo Moyes novel. One is casting. Shailene Woodley and Felicity Jones are marvelous, as one would expect, with Woodley … Continue reading →

A not-exactly-torrid, not particularly romantic “torrid romance,” “Curiosa” takes us back to 19th century Paris, when the camera and indoor plumbing were new, and sexual mores seemed in a mad rush to catch up. This French melodrama, loosely based on … Continue reading →

“The Unknown Saint” is an understated, chuckle-out-loud caper comedy from Morocco. It works the deadpan side of the street, spare in its dialogue, leaning on sight gags and situational ironies. What you get is an intimate parody of a parable, … Continue reading →

“Snake Eyes” is quintessentially that deflating moment when a bad guy or gal — or a good guy etc. — hisses “This isn’t over.” And your heart sinks because of how dismayingly dull the movie’s been up to that point, … Continue reading →

Aug. 20 this thriller rolls out. Looks messy and maybe…fun? Reviews are embargoed until 7pm Aug. 19. Make what you will of that.

Wow. Did not see THAT coming. The German hijacking thriller “Blood Red Sky” hides its hand so well early on that it’d be a shame to give much of that away. The surprises have a grim delight about them, the … Continue reading →

No Kyle. No Sting. No Lynch. This is not your Mom’s “Dune.” The third crack at Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic may be the one that delivers its desert planet pre George Lucas, its neo Arabic/Bedouin arid life in space novelty.

“The Five Rules of Success” is a compact, artful and blunt take on an ex-con’s life “outside,” re-entering a world tempered by violence and fraught with the perils of recidivism. Writer/director/cinematographer and co-editor Orson Oblowitz immerses us in a very-indie … Continue reading →