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Deliberately chose not to experience the book but could not resist delving into the film; the seismic popularity surpassing all expectations. Jennifer Lawrence, as “Katniss Everdeen” is riveting and perfectly cast as the tough, savvy  sixteen-year-old heroine; encapsulating the attributes of the mythical Diana, goddess of the hunt. Suzanne Collins’s book has become a Bible for young adults, especially girls, …

This Belgian film was one of the “darlings” of the Chicago Film Festival (October, 2011) and absolutely warrants its plaudits. Glittering copiously with the  gems of a fabulously fine flick: fascinating and original scenario, masterfully unique individuals, pristine, gut-wrenching acting, elements of surprise that clutch your attention in an unrelenting, tenacious grip; never trust the obvious. “Cyril” is an 11-year …

As we tread through life certain ubitqtious lessons are revealed. One is that grief has no parameters and spares no one;  the second vital, and surprising lesson, is that you do not choose who you love; it can come out of oblivion, tackle your blind side, imprison your heart in a fortress; its duration, ephemeral or eternity. “Delicacy” expertly deals …

With blond hair extensions, torpedoed jeans, six inch platform sandals, and enough makeup to make Cleopatra or Lady Gaga wince with envy, I unsuccessfully tried to blend with the young,  lustful banshees at a screening of “21 Jump Street”. Naively unaware that it had been a television series, starring Johnny Depp. Surprises are often camouflaged and twenty minutes into the …

There are times when one goes to a movie simply for its therapeutic, redemptive powers; times when life has delivered the unexpected curve ball; impatiently waiting for the “silver lining” to  rear its healing head. “Jeff, Who Lives at Home” by the Duplass brothers (Jay and Mark “Cyrus”) is quirky, compelling and in the end magical: why we enter a …

This Israeli film delves into the lives and relationship of a father/ son; renown scholars of the Talmud (Judaism’s holiest book; the literal translation is “to teach”). “Footnote” commences with the induction of “Uriel Shkolnik” (younger Professor Shkolnik: solid, sensitive depiction by Lior Ashkkenazi) into the Israeli Academy of Sciences; his speech resonates with respect, close to idolatry for his …

Read no further if spine-chilling, skin-prickling, nightmare-inducing “horror” flicks are not highlighted on your movie menu. It is challenging to verbalize the addiction, affliction, attraction to terrifying, tortuous “scary” genres; they are universally ubiquitous and multitudes flock to first screenings at film festivals. At the risk of offending those whose tastes conflict with mine, I am an elitist when it …

With the name “John Carter” images of elections in the fifth district appellate court; CEO of a Dow Jones Industrial Company, even president of a local school board are conjured up, but never as a mega- muscled hero,  an Adonis, championing the just on Earth and Mars. Based on the novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, produced by Disney and dedicated …

How frequently do you exit a movie with a lighter step and brighter smile? From the commencement of this preposterous, inane, ridiculous scenario; riddled with absurdities, unrealistic fantasies, you smile, chuckle and wallow in the marvelous performances of Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor, (shades of Hepburn/Tracy) as two disparate people conscripted by an idealistic, catastrophically- wealthy Sheik (delightfully sincere and …

At the risk of being pejorative I still prefer “Pina”.   Coming from a family of football fanatics; ingrained from birth, intrinsic in our genetic composition, male/female, there was no cure or escape from the game. Oh, the magnetic, magnificent, spellbinding, addictive oeuvre. There is nothing more compelling than the “underdog”, the omnipresent “defeated”, rising like a phoenix from the …