Tag Archives: books

Classic Film Review: Dietrich and Douglas, Posh Infidelity with “The Lubitsch Touch” — “Angel”

It’s 1937, and Marlene Dietrich would let the world know she could shed almost every hint of her German accent when it suited her purposes. Melvyn Douglas proved that all a bland leading man needed to do was grow a … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, previews, profiles and movie news | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Classic Film Review: Cocteau Kink? “Les parents terribles — The Terrible Parents,” aka “The Storm Within”(1948)

One of the most praised French films of its day, Jean Cocteau’s 1948 dark comedy “Les parents terribles” still summons a chuckle or two and a cineaste’s appreciation of its compact, concentrated mise en scene-focused compositions, cinematography and editing. Its … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, previews, profiles and movie news | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Neflixable? “Enola Homes 3” Beats a Dead Horse

The bare minimum you expect from a sleuthing action comedy of the “Anybody Named Holmes” variety is that it hold your interest. Netflix’s “Enola Holmes 3” falls short of even that low bar. It’s got a wedding and a few … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, previews, profiles and movie news | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Neflixable? “Enola Homes 3” Beats a Dead Horse

Netflixable? Schnabel’s Mad Monomania paints “In the Hand of Dante”

There’s a “just go with it” madness that is demanded of anyone who dives into the glorious — some will say wretched — excesses of “In the Hand of Dante.” A romantic thriller contrived out of history, great “lost” literature … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, previews, profiles and movie news | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Netflixable? Schnabel’s Mad Monomania paints “In the Hand of Dante”

Movie Review: James Cromwell gets back to Herding Sheep — “Owd Bob” (1998)

James Cromwell’s long run at the top of the A-list of in-demand supporting actors began with a story of a sheep farmer, his dogs and a pig named “Babe” back in 1995. He landed a prime role in “L.A. Confidential” … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, previews, profiles and movie news | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Movie Review: James Cromwell gets back to Herding Sheep — “Owd Bob” (1998)

Movie Review: Travolta’s “Propeller: One-Way Night Coach” is One for the Ages — All Ages

Back in the good ol’days — the ’90s — John Travolta would love to get off the topic of “Michael,” “Pulp Fiction” or “Get Shorty” in interviews with film journalists like me and regale us with how utterly besotted he … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, previews, profiles and movie news | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Movie Review: Travolta’s “Propeller: One-Way Night Coach” is One for the Ages — All Ages

Netflixable? Sally Field and an Octopus each Ponder “Remarkably Bright Creatures” peering through the Glass

“Remarkably Bright Creatures” is a sweet, sentimental and gratingly-cloying tale of a grieving widow who forms a relationship with the ageing Giant Pacific Octopus at the small town aquarium where she’s the cleaning lady. It introduces but never really addresses … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, previews, profiles and movie news | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Netflixable? Sally Field and an Octopus each Ponder “Remarkably Bright Creatures” peering through the Glass

Series Review: A “Grand(ish) Tour” returns… as a “clip show”

We all knew, or perhaps hoped, it would come to this. Richard Hammond even joked about it on their “farewell” program — “We don’t have to end up in the same old folks’ home, do we?” Our three blokey blokes, … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, previews, profiles and movie news | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Series Review: A “Grand(ish) Tour” returns… as a “clip show”

Movie Review: Make “Animal Farm” Great Again?

George Orwell’s parable of totalitarianism earns a Trump era updating in a new animated “Animal Farm,” this one backed by Angel Studios and not the CIA. Actor turned “Venom” sequel director and the one-and-only “Gollum” in J.R.R. Tolkienland Andy Serkis … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, previews, profiles and movie news | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Movie Review: Make “Animal Farm” Great Again?

Movie Review: Pierce, Helena and Gabriel ensure a Young Irish Couple Receives “Four Letters of Love”

Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter and Gabriel Byrne appear on screen together for the first time in “Four Letters of Love,” a lovely, sentimental and ever-so-Irish romance about fate, faith and the power of words to woo, especially when folded … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, previews, profiles and movie news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Movie Review: Pierce, Helena and Gabriel ensure a Young Irish Couple Receives “Four Letters of Love”