Hollywood

Exodus 21:2. If you buy a Hebrew slave, he is to serve you six years; in the seventh year he is to go free, without paying anything. In Kazakh tradition you free your faithful eagle, after seven years of devotion, so the rest of their existence is at their own whim. Director Otto Bell, Cinematographer Simon Niblett and Sia’s song …

“La La Land” provided fabulous fodder for Jimmy Fallons’s  star-infused, opening number; redemptive program, erasing last years’ deadly dud! Acceptance awards by the winners were gracious, heartfelt and in some cases inspirational: Viola Davis wins the highest plaudits for her stunning, humble acknowledgment of her win as the Best Supporting Actress (“Fences”); Ryan Gosling’s (Best Actor Comedy/Musical) tribute to his …

Watching directors Fisher Stevens and Alexis Bloom’s intimate documentary on the relationship between the legendary actors Debbie Reynolds and her daughter Carrie Fisher, I soulfully regretted not seeing it while it toured the Festival circuit; with their passing I found it profoundly tragic and painfully pathetic. Debbie Reynolds had her day in the sun, as did Carrie Fisher; why wasn’t …

Director Martin Scorsese’s “Silence” is terrifying; every scene reminiscent of history’s horrific dossier of those who perished because of their faith, or refusal to acquiesce, convert to the dictates of the conquerors, church or crown; Roman Emperor Nero, slaughtered Christians, 37-68 AD; Jews have been persecuted from the Hellenistic period (323BCE) through 20th century’s Holocaust; Muslims, targets of the Crusade …

An animated romp focusing on every cliché known to man: “follow your dreams” no matter the challenges; once you hit “rock bottom” only way is up; never too old to give life’s expectations another shot. But every one of these aphorisms “sings” with originality in director Garth Jennings “Sing” an anthropomorphic jaunt that resonates demographically; the voices of Matthew McConaughey, …

Being somewhat selective, many films are beyond my pay grade: neck- slurping horror genre, hibernation/rejuvenation sagas, tales from the crypt. Here are the highlights and no lights of 2016. WINNERS:"EYE IN THE SKY""ZOOTOPIA""MIDNIGHT SPECIAL""KRISHA""THE JUNGLE BOOK""SING STREET""THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY""HELL OR HIGH WATER""KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS""LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP""CIEN ANOS DE PERDON""SULLY""A MAN CALLED OVE""M. S. DHONI: THE UNTOLD …

Never having seen the video game (nor will, after wallowing in bewilderment for two hours) I was intrigued because historically The Knight Templers and The Assassins were organizations that were informed and grew exponentially around the Crusades (1095-1291); a war for the Holy Land fought by Christians and Muslims; The Knight Templers led by French nobleman Hughes de Payens, consisted …

Director Damien Chazelle’s contemporary musical, with an archival reference to the past, proves on its second viewing, more deliciously palatable than the first; “Mia” and “Sebastian” are pungently poignant, naïve, fanciful starry-eyed lovers; their youthful, optimistic dreams may be realized; they have yet to be stunted by life’s wrenches; they dance, sing, captivating one’s sensitivities. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone …

Jessica Chastain’s commanding and compelling performance as a cutthroat, ruthless, “take no prisoners” lobbyist is astoundingly admirable; with “Zorro’s” deftness, she lunges, parries with alarming precision, eliminating harbingers of irrelevancy with nary a scratch;  “Miss Sloane’s” mantra is to win at any cost, always being a move ahead, anticipating her adversary’s strategy, never revealing her trump card; a master, genius …

Natalie Portman is eerily exhilarating as former first lady Jackie Kennedy (1929-1994) in the aftermath of the horrific, surreal days after President John F. Kennedy’s (1917) assassination in 1963; director Pablo Larrain’s intense, compelling biopic will profoundly resonate with those who remember this nadir in American history and prove immensely educational for those who did not experience first hand, the …