Netflix and Beyond

Watching the 83rd Academy Awards, pageantry at its pinnacle, Mark Antony’s diatribe in William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” marched through my mind: Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. I pledged not to bury, bash or verbally malign the production, hence brevity prevails: a respite from repetitious fashion gravitas, sedative- inducing  acceptances; …

There is nothing more gratifying and satiatingly satisfying than witnessing an original and brilliantly executed film. On every level Iciar Bollain’s “Even the Rain” is saturated with ingenuity, creativity, historical and religious accuracies and ambiguities . It is inventive, titillating, stimulating; the bombardment of complexities,  witnessing the “filming” of a film, every thought kidnapped and held breathlessly and explosively captive, …

It is mystifying when checking out the film section and major headlines scream: “the perfect film to ignite 2011”, “the best action thriller in years”, ‘a mesmerizing mind-bender”. I am a glutton for action and mind-benders but exiting these two films, shaking my head in bewilderment at the lack of veracity in these advertisements, I questioned my own judgment, but …

Vic Muniz, the Brazilian artist and director Lucy Walker have produced an inspiring documentary pivotally engulfing the leitmotif, “to whom much is given, much is expected”. Mr. Muniz, a photographer, born into a financially depressed family in Brazil has experienced a meteoric rise in the contemporary art scene; he relishes his fame while totally embracing his heritage, his levity and …

As I sat watching “The Eagle”, questioning the scarcity of my sanity, rationing of my reason, recognizing that once again my love of the spectacle, untreatable addiction to any historical or fictional references whether biblical: “The Ten Commandments”, “The Robe”,”Quo Vadis”, “The Last Temptation of Christ”, gladiatorial: “Ben Hur”, “The Gladiator” , “Spartacus”, roundtable: “Camelot”, “Excalibur”, “Knights of the Round …

This spectacular visually titillating film from South Korea (written and directed by Im Sang-soo) is comparable to being a resident, for a brief hiatus, in a Richard Artschwager, Louise Lawler or Henri Rousseau painting. The setting, perfection in its pristine grandeur, frozen in immutable designer decor; a domicile of extreme wealth and galvanizing glory masking a black and insalubrious disease. …

Aamir Khan Productions, directed by Kiran Rao; wife of Aamir Khan. Aamir Khan has accomplished what other Bollywood producers and directors have been questing, striving to achieve for at least a decade. “Dohbi Ghat” is a story that could have been filmed anywhere; it is universal in theme and content. Gone are the gyrating, aerobic Bollywood dances, fragile chaste women, …

Thank you for entering and playing the game! My synopsis of the evening will be posted later in the day; fortunately I do not have posting deadlines looming on the horizon which allows the experience to marinate and eventually solidify into a legitimate evaluation.   Since I never win, Going out a a limb, There is talent galore, Excitement, boredom, …

ALL CONTESTANTS MUST ENTER THE NUMBER OF OSCARS FOR THE BEST PICTURE! This is the time of year when many can gobble up filmatic treats of the past season; the nominees for the Academy Awards or see the modest and mundane; it is a comfortable hiatus before the next blitzkrieg of film invasions. “THE WAY BACK” Director Peter Weir directs …

With limited expectations I ventured into “The Company Men” because of the cast: Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, Kevin Costner; male marvels appealing to all ages.  This is a very good film depicting in Shakespearian proportions a tragic tale that many in today’s society are familiar with and have suffered through. We know these people and empathize with …