Netflix and Beyond

I live in movie theatres; my life is defined by film. Entering a darkened theatre I feel cocooned, protected from the heat of politics, problems, weather; with my ticket comes a respite from what troubles me or the woes, aches of the world. Also, never alone, surrounded by strangers, regardless of demographics all there, sharing, sinking into the luxurious oblivion …

Rarely will you encounter a book that soars, takes flight from the first sentence, goes into orbit and lives there for its entirety. “The Next Step: A Gobsmacking Odyssey of Reinvention” by Robert Koppel is an imaginary , universal, stratospheric romp that will resonate long after its final introspective,  illuminating pages. “Fishman”/”Weintraub”/ “Palefsky”/ “Goldberg” join the ranks of literary iconic …

WILL BE POSTED JULY 14, 2012

“Take This Waltz” (previously reviewed 5/27/12), did not improve with a second viewing. Michelle Williams and Seth Rogen star as a couple (“Margot”,  “Lou”) so devoted to each other that their endearments are flavored with untoward, torturous sentiments. She is aimless, rootless, devoid of ambition; he cooks and writes about chicken for a living. Enter Luke Kirby (“Daniel”) as the …

If you are a Marvel comic book fan or simply enamored with the “Spider-Man” mystique you will be satisfied with the newest rendition of, to say the least, “The Amazing Spider-Man”! Andrew Garfield, replacing Toby Maguire, is excellent as the sensitive, seventeen-year-old “Peter Parker/Spider-Man”. With misty-eyed sincerity he imbues the duality with likeability, believability; and is galvanizing in his transformation …

Abominable. Detestable.  Dismal.  Deleterious.  Humorless. Salacious. Scatological.  Revolting.  Ridiculous. Vile. Wretched. Only partially describes this disgusting movie, starring Mark Wahlberg  and his foul-mouthed,  bibulous , drug -addicted, good-for –nothing, copulating Teddy Bear. Teddy Bears of the universe unite, join in a class action suit; sue for defamation of character. No matter the monetary reward it will take generations to erase …

Oliver Stone’s latest flick can be summed up in a brief sentence.  Good drug dealers versus bad drug dealers. It is engrossing, more than minimally entertaining; not as bludgeoning with the message as the usual Stone scenario; still in a month’s time will be a vague, shadowy memory of a mindless two hours spent in a refrigerated cocoon; a blessed …

Achingly poignant, mythically powerful film, told from the perspective of six-year-old “Hushpuppy” (Quvenzhanem Wallis, a forceful sprite with a gift from the gods); living in the disastrously destitute Louisiana bayou; alone, she resides in a shack, next door to her abusive, alcoholic, terminally ill father, “Wink” (brilliant portrayal by Dwight Henry)  in an island of muck, detritus, prehistoric, called “The …

Steven Soderbergh’s  intimate portrayal of the lives and performances of “male strippers’ was an enlightening, enticing slice of reality for this neophyte; knew they existed, gave them no thought;  realized for a certain segment of the female population they were a titillating source of entertainment. I was totally bamboozled, mesmerized and shamefully, overwhelmingly, enthralled with the scenario. Matthew McConaughey is …

Is an abomination, travesty, an insult to the craft of filmmaking and a humiliating example of a auteur (Woody Allen) gone amuck. Out of respect for my, if at times limited, but still viable insights; I am composing this review in 15 minutes (which is approximately 14 more than it deserves.) 1) All the men in the film are clones …