Hollywood

Doubtful if many of you have heard of this movie; in the theatres for a week, it slipped into the limitless limbo of unwatched mediocrity, praying for Netflix, On Demand to ignite a passive public’s interest in two teenage assassins, disguised as nuns, delivering pizza. Of the myriad of films I see but never review, “Violet & Daisy” resided comfortably …

Doubtful if many of you have heard of this movie; in the theatres for a week, it slipped into the limitless limbo of unwatched mediocrity, praying for Netflix, On Demand to ignite a passive public’s interest in two teenage assassins, disguised as nuns, delivering pizza. Of the myriad of films I see but never review, “Violet & Daisy” resided comfortably …

Are there any clean ones? All documentaries are imbued with a certain dose of subjectivity and “Dirty Wars” (based on the book of same title by Jeremy Scahill) is no exception; the difference lies in the conscience of reporter Jeremy Scahill and brilliant direction by Richard Rowley. They tackle the tactics of counterterrorism since 9/11: erasing boundaries, acceptance of collateral …

It took nerves of steel to sit through this torturous tribute, homage to pyrotechnics and digitalization; actors were crucified on an altar of inane, embarrassing mediocrity; obscene, flagrant waste of 250 million dollars,  but admittedly some audiences will relish it. Being a lifelong fan of Clark Kent (“Superman”) this glossy, plastic composite was monumentally detrimental to his iconic, mild –mannered, …

It took nerves of steel to sit through this torturous tribute, homage to pyrotechnics and digitalization; actors were crucified on an altar of inane, embarrassing mediocrity; obscene, flagrant waste of 250 million dollars,  but admittedly some audiences will relish it. Being a lifelong fan of Clark Kent (“Superman”) this glossy, plastic composite was monumentally detrimental to his iconic, mild –mannered, …

In the running for one of the most preposterous films of the year; no star- power could save this ridiculous scenario, featuring anarchists (“The East”) Juno Page, Alexander Skarsgard, Toby Kebbell, dedicated vigilantes, using poisonous tactics to rid the country of corporate malfeasance; young idealists, intransigent, misguided; supposedly correcting environmental injustices; Machiavellian measures do not compensate for the wrongs perpetrated …

In the running for one of the most preposterous films of the year; no star- power could save this ridiculous scenario, featuring anarchists (“The East”) Juno Page, Alexander Skarsgard, Toby Kebbell, dedicated vigilantes, using poisonous tactics to rid the country of corporate malfeasance; young idealists, intransigent, misguided; supposedly correcting environmental injustices; Machiavellian measures do not compensate for the wrongs perpetrated …

Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are extremely likeable actors; their on -screen chemistry reverberates, echoes a  camaraderie that must bleed into their off- screen relationship; they verbalize and finish each others thoughts, their auras blend into a solid, granite friendship. Unfortunately, their likeability cannot salvage what could have been a fascinating scenario, which should have taken flight, but sadly whimpers, …

Recently, I was asked when was the last time I laughed, uncontrollably, with pure abandonment, total disregard for  propriety; with alacrity I yelped, watching “The Kings of Summer”. A joyous “coming of age” film reminiscent of Mark Twain’s “Tom Sawyer”, “Huckleberry Finn” adventures, minus the dark side. Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts’s “The Kings of Summer” encapsulates the validity of why people …

The third, and possibly best, of the “Before” films; “Jesse” and “Celine” (Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy) no longer in the throes of love’s commencing powers, passions ignited by a glance; seasoned, in their early 40’s, with twin daughters, vacationing in Greece. Jesse’s son by his first marriage has left for Chicago; leaving an anguished, guilt-ridden, perplexed Jesse, venting to …