Monthly Archives: October 2021

“Hypnotic” isn’t the first movie about hypnosis and murder. That would be “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” which hit theaters back in 1920. And it’s not the worst, which has too many candidates to choose just one “winner.” But while … Continue reading →

Asghar Farhadi earned an Oscar nomination for “A Separation.” His latest is a tale of debtor’s prison and a two day leave aimed at getting a debtor to wipe away that debt. “A Hero” comes to North American cinemas Jan. … Continue reading →

If you have cable, streaming or broadcast HDTV access to The Western Channel or Grit, Movies! and the like you’re never far removed from stumbling across the work of Anthony Mann, an auteur in the “man’s man” movies corner of … Continue reading →

Oscar winner Sandra B is fresh out of prison, a “cop killer” who did 20 years. Oscar winner Viola Davis, Vincent D’Onofrio and Richard Thomas co-star in this Dec. 10 Netflix release.

A steep Friday to Friday falloff points to “Dune” managing maybe $15-16 million its second weekend. That’s a 62% dip, and that’s if everything pans out for it Sat and Sunday. It’s doing ok in theaters, but not great. Considering … Continue reading →

With “Last Night in Soho,” Edgar Wright takes us back to the oft-romanticized “Swinging London” of the 1960s for the year’s most striking thriller, another jewel in the crown of star Anya Taylor-Joy, the anime-eyed “It girl” du jour. It’s … Continue reading →

Yes, “Last Darkness” almost came out in 2017. Or was it 2018, 2019 or 2020? And it used to be titled “Last Broken Darkness.” But let’s weigh in on it because I never tire of putting that broken record I … Continue reading →

I’ve never visited Indonesia, but traveling “Around the World with Netflix” I’ve developed a picture of what life might be like in the conservative, Islamic Asian nation. It might not be an accurate portrait, but the Netflix films, chaste romances … Continue reading →

Vintage footage, archival recordings and “dramatic recreations” aim to give us an intimate and revealing portrait of the Cinema’s First True Superstar. This gets a limited theatrical release and pops up on Showtime Dec. 11.

This looks dazzling. Virginie Efira has the title role, an Italian nun who sees Jesus in the 17th century, and sees love in the eyes of another woman. Dec. 3, we find out if it measures up.