Foreign

“THE PIANO LESSON” (US) The Washington brothers (Malcolm, director, John David, actor) give immediate license to August Wilson’s 1987 play of the same title.  And an iconic, macabre exorcism, that will satisfy those lusting for the “horror” tremors. FOUR STARS!!!! “THE ART OF JOY” (ITALY/UK)  DIRECTOR, VALERIA GOLINO) For devotees of “length” this over five-hour film should satisfy your lusty, …

We have been doused/soused with a plethora of movies dealing with the vicissitudes of alcoholic women: “Days of Wine and Roses”: “Woman Under the Influence”, “When a Man Loves a Woman”, “28 Days”, “To Leslie” but we’ve never come across “Rona” a blue-haired, twenty-nine-year-old harridan, whose demonic side is birthed in every inebriated phase; Saorise Ronan, also a producer tackles …

Lee Miller (1907-1977) was a woman of prodigious substance, a feminine force, a rule bender, barrier basher and a lifelong, in tandem with Gertrude Bell (1868-1926), destroyer of the male, testosterone dominated universal sphere. She had it all: luminous beauty, sophistication in qualitative abundance, lover and muse of Man Ray (1890-1976); inquisitive intellect that transcended gender bias; as a realistic …

Regardless of its Greek and Latin origins, defined as “able to discern”, the critic’s role, to judge, evaluate, interpret categorically sinks into the negative realm of toxic criticism in “The Critic” (based on 2015 novel “Curtain Call” by Anthony Quinn) and Ian McKellen as  “The Daily Chronicle’s” London theatre critic “Jimmy Erskine” champions as an acerbic annihilator, castrator, humiliator of all …

Inadvertently, I visited “Kneecap” without even a whiff of its content. I do not care, another whiff, for rap! If it’s generational, I missed it by decades and did not mourn its loss. So, sitting with an audience of prepubescent attendees, I found myself laughing, with requited glee, bouncing in my seat to its iconoclastic rhythm, lyrics and high-fiving its …

RTA, Rehabilitation Through the Arts. It works miraculously and its redolent power surges through the backbone of this remarkable film. Incarcerated inmates, serving interminable, hopeless sentences; real men rising above their crimes, circumstances, reveling in the vicissitudes of Shakespearian fictional and non-fictional characters, historical heroes and villains; unbridled talent oozing from their core, dormant since birth but flaming in a …

At times compelling, oftentimes confusing, generally entertaining if you put history aside and just go for theatricality, drama and scintillating intrigue. With an ending of outrageous possibilities. Brazilian director Karim Aïnouz tests his proficiency with a foreign scenario; the terminal days of Tudor King Henry VIII (1491-1547) and his sixth and final wife Katherine Parr (1512-1548). Acting transcends a vague …

Director Guy Ritchie has been on a media roll: “The Gentlemen”, Netflix and his latest bombastic extravaganza “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” both stylistically captivating; an exercise in camp, for the sole and unmitigated purpose of entertainment; success is served in spades in duo endeavors. Loosely based on Operation Postmaster, Winston Churchill’s desperate design to cripple the Nazi war efforts, …

Liam Neeson shines like a well-polished antique, honed and seasoned, every wrinkle, a badge of glorification; with over a hundred films his 6’4 frame, and craggy countenance still kindle alarm in whomever he stalks; his presence, burnished style galvanized to impeccability in director Robert Lorenz’s “The Land of Saints and Sinners” as retired assassin “Finbar Murphy”, residing in a quiet …

In a century long ago, I attended a party, primarily of strangers; as we entered the venue, a person of renown was taped to our backs; we were required to give hints to other attendees as to the personage whose name they bore; it was a stunning way to make new comrades, but alas I never guessed who steadfastly remained …