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Monthly Archives: October 2016

AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL (OH MY DEAR HEART, IT’S TOUGH) HINDI: ENGLISH SUBTITLES

If you survive the first hour wallowing in the abyss of silliness, manufactured mimicry, saccharine sophism, entertainment blossoms with the astounding radiance of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, in  this predictable, weepy scenario. Rambir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma star as a two-sum: “Ayan” (Kapoor) wants more than friendship from “Alizeh” (Sharma) who is satisfied with a “huggy”, platonic relationship; their song and …

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SIERANEVADA: WINNER OF THE GOLD HUGO AWARD, CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL; ROMANIA

Director Cristi Puiu (“The Death of Mr. Lazarescu”) won the Silver Hugo Award for the Best Director of this highly unforgettable family saga. “Sieranevada” (misspelled, intentional poetic license), claustrophobic, tense, traumatic, intimate analysis of a family in flux. The film is flawed but its ambitious intentions succeed on a massive scale, especially in writing and direction. The patriarch has died …

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NEARING THE FINALE OF THE CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, exponentially it does:   “STARLESS DREAMS”; IRAN. Powerful, disturbing documentary by director Mehrdad Oskovei, takes place in a juvenile detention center on the outskirts of Tehran; female murderers, thieves, prostitutes, drug-addicted, homeless; the oldest is seventeen. The result of a male-dominated, sharia law society where women are chattel, without a voice, …

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UPDATE FROM THE CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

There has never been a better Festival in the history of “Festdom”.  In the last three days I have visited eleven films, a myriad of countries, and on a five-star rating, the lowest star bestowed was a four.  Here are a few, that presented with the opportunity, should be seen:   “SWEET DREAMS”; ITALY/FRANCE. A mesmerizing, enchanting story of  devastating …

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CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CONTINUES WITH JOY AND DISAPPOINTMENT

“LAYLA M.”; NETHERLANDS/BELGIUM. Timely, contemporary view of today’s troubled society; director Mijke de Jong tackles the traumatic issue of a Dutch-Moroccan teen (Layla. Magnificent performance by Nora El Koussour) frustrated by, what she feels, is a lack of respect by fellow Muslims and Amsterdam citizens, for Islam and Allah. Beautifully filmed and constructed, “Layla M.” focuses on the evolution from …

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MIDWAY THROUGH THE CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

An exhilarating week infused with exceptionally fine films, thanks to the prescience of our Founder Michael Kutza and Programmer Mimi Plauche. Here are a few more to add to your viewing pleasure:   “THE STUDENT”; RUSSIA. Director Kirill Serbrennikov stuns with his protagonist “Venya” whose religious fundamentalism has gone berserk; his rants, focusing on the gospels, become more frantic, belligerent, …

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CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: WHAT TO SEE AFTER DAY THREE

This is an outrageously gluttonous cinematic time, and I imbibe to the fullest. Nine films into the festival, here is a sample of “must sees”: “La La Land”; USA. Gifted Director Damien Chazelle splays across the wide screen a vivid, reminiscent musical; shades of the 40’s with stunning performances by Ryan Gosling and especially Emma Stone. Light-hearted, beautifully poignant and …

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AMERICAN HONEY

Director Andrea Arnold’s (“Fish Tank”) “American Honey” is rough, gritty, ugly, disturbing and at times profoundly poetic, and I did not care for it. Puzzling when greatness dazzles and your natural instinct is to turn away. “Star” (sharp and poignant depiction by Sasha Lane) is eighteen, caring for two children,(there is a vagueness as to their bond, familial or otherwise) …

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THE BIRTH OF A NATION

This is a movie, and should be judged solely on its merits, not the controversy revolving around Nate Parker’s off screen vicissitudes, nor D. W. Griffith’s (1875-1948) 1915’s “Birth of a Nation”, or even William Styron’s 1967 Pulitzer-Prize winning “The Confessions of Nat Turner”.  “The Birth of a Nation” is a movie, a movie worth seeing, contemplating and in conclusion …

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THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN

The multitudes who devoured the national bestseller by Paula Hawkins will find the movie, directed by Larry Brand, fervently faithful to the scenario. Divorced, perpetually sloshed, disillusioned “Rachel Watson” (Emily Blunt scores a knockout in the role) feeds her desperately lonely, hollow existence by living vicariously, imagining the lives of others as sublime, loving paradigms of bliss. Her daily train …

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