Hollywood

The Holiday Season is satiated with a glorious glut of movie superabundance; I love these binge-worthy days, oftentimes seeing two or even three films a day. Here are two that categorically define the reason we go to the movies: titillation, tutelage, principally escape the predictable, mundanity of daily existence. “THE Housemaid” based on the novel by Freida McFadden directed by …

In an era where antisemitism, perpetually hibernating, but recently celebrated and gifted legitimacy, even the US has tolerated its rise. Now bursting forth from the grimness of 2025 is a film, crafted by Jews, of monumental proportions and integrity, breathtaking in its innovation, written by Josh Safdie (“Uncut Gems”) and Ronald Bronstein.  Starring a thirty-year-old man whose mother is of …

We have limitless choices on our devices; what in the past was a delicious dilemma, now, can result in traumatic options (some we must pay for). I have toughened my resolve; if not aroused in 15 minutes, switch films, regardless of the expense. Here Peneflix gifts those with limited patience and in need of a film distraction ASAP. First runs …

These were not the films that I had originally planned to review but with universal, raging antisemitism, viciously mushrooming, proliferating since October 7, 2023, where Israel was held accountable for the slaying of innocents by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups and license was granted, afforded to those whose hidden hatred of Jews was now stripped bare, celebrated, applauded, exploding, …

Let’s talk about Adam Sandler. A man/actor I never focused on until 2019’s “Uncut Gems”, a shocking tour de force for one who never paid him an ounce of mite. He has garnished multiple awards: Critics Choice Movie Award, Independent Spirit Award, nominations for 7 Prime Time Emmy Awards, Golden Globe and Grammy salutes and a star on the Hollywood …

A perpetual fascination with the man-made creature of “Victor Frankstein”, brought to fruition by Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin Shelly (1797-1851), in 1818; a woman of prodigious intelligence, married poet Percy Busshe Shelly (1792-1822); tragedy informed her life, but her genius resonates for eternity. Of the hundreds of adaptations Director Guillermo del Toro’s sears with immortal acumen, gut-wrenching poignancy; actors Oscar Isaac …

Periodically you see a film that transcends all expectations; a movie that emanates the purest joy, sincerity, and profound happiness.  Japanese director Hikari, co-wrote the script with Stephen Blahut referencing agencies that hire actors to play real, mostly missing, family members in Japanese society. It is stunning, and filmically astounding plus a huge homage to Tokyo and the luscious landscape …

“Wicked the First” thrilled me to the bones and deeper; it accomplished what a fine film should: stunning, innovative scenario, based on the fantastical book by Winnie Holzman and bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire.  Composer Stephen Schwartz delves into the depths of his creative cache and scores in “Wicked: For Good”; actors Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo (“Glinda” and “Elphaba”) …

Never has wickedness been served so mellifluously, deliciously, supercalifragilisticexpialidociously sensational as in director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked”; a film so splendidly crafted, acted, choregraphed it was impossible to breathe with the breath, depth of its wonder. Every glittering glorious moment resonates with truth, integrity and lessons for living, understanding and embracing the goodness of the unknown, outlier, no matter their …

Jennifer Lawrence gives a career-defining portrait of madness and angst in “Die My Love” based on the 2012 novel by Arina Harwicz; director/writer Lynne Ramsay (“We Need to Talk About Kevin”) pulverizes viewers with the detrimental effects of postpartum depression’; “Grace” (Lawrence) was muddled before we meet her and her boyfriend “Jackson” (instinctive performance by Robert Pattinson) whose relationship, defined …