Netflix and Beyond

Fascinating study revolving around life’s decisions; “what if’s”, second chances, “would we, could we do it all again?”. Director Denis Villeneuve’s “Arrival” is vastly more than a science fiction, alien invasion film; on the surface, it is simplistic, the earth has been invaded by hovering egg-shaped saucers; intent?, friend or foe? Louise, (brilliant, subtle, heartbreaking performance by Amy Adams) a …

Thousands of lives were claimed in the battle for Hacksaw Ridge, Okinawa, Japan, 1945; Mel Gibson’s stunning, at times sensational film, based on the life of Desmond Doss (1919-2006), a bona fide conscientious objector, is brutally, savagely told. Desmond Doss, remarkably depicted by Andrew Garfield, in a profound, prescient performance. Doss, the son of an alcoholic, abusive father, a veteran …

Marvel mania continues to dominate box office sales; Benedict Cumberbatch and Mads Mikkelsen as beacons of good and evil, give intense, strenuous performances, but unfortunately cannot salvage the plot from sinking into stale, repetitive versions of marvel movies of the past; shades of “Inception”, “Superman”, “Spider-Man”. Wizardry abounds when megalomaniac, arrogant neurosurgeon “Dr. Stephen Strange’s” (Cumberbatch) hands are mutilated in …

From inception human beings are blessed with the distinction of knowing right from wrong; maturity hones the ability to further recognize the differentiation; in actuality the path followed comes down to one’s “choice”; “Moonlight”, directed by Barry Jenkins is a remarkable masterpiece, focusing on “Chiron” and three phases of his life, from boyhood to manhood (efficaciously acted by Alex Hibbert, …

If you survive the first hour wallowing in the abyss of silliness, manufactured mimicry, saccharine sophism, entertainment blossoms with the astounding radiance of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, in  this predictable, weepy scenario. Rambir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma star as a two-sum: “Ayan” (Kapoor) wants more than friendship from “Alizeh” (Sharma) who is satisfied with a “huggy”, platonic relationship; their song and …

Director Cristi Puiu (“The Death of Mr. Lazarescu”) won the Silver Hugo Award for the Best Director of this highly unforgettable family saga. “Sieranevada” (misspelled, intentional poetic license), claustrophobic, tense, traumatic, intimate analysis of a family in flux. The film is flawed but its ambitious intentions succeed on a massive scale, especially in writing and direction. The patriarch has died …

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, exponentially it does:   “STARLESS DREAMS”; IRAN. Powerful, disturbing documentary by director Mehrdad Oskovei, takes place in a juvenile detention center on the outskirts of Tehran; female murderers, thieves, prostitutes, drug-addicted, homeless; the oldest is seventeen. The result of a male-dominated, sharia law society where women are chattel, without a voice, …

There has never been a better Festival in the history of “Festdom”.  In the last three days I have visited eleven films, a myriad of countries, and on a five-star rating, the lowest star bestowed was a four.  Here are a few, that presented with the opportunity, should be seen:   “SWEET DREAMS”; ITALY/FRANCE. A mesmerizing, enchanting story of  devastating …

“LAYLA M.”; NETHERLANDS/BELGIUM. Timely, contemporary view of today’s troubled society; director Mijke de Jong tackles the traumatic issue of a Dutch-Moroccan teen (Layla. Magnificent performance by Nora El Koussour) frustrated by, what she feels, is a lack of respect by fellow Muslims and Amsterdam citizens, for Islam and Allah. Beautifully filmed and constructed, “Layla M.” focuses on the evolution from …

An exhilarating week infused with exceptionally fine films, thanks to the prescience of our Founder Michael Kutza and Programmer Mimi Plauche. Here are a few more to add to your viewing pleasure:   “THE STUDENT”; RUSSIA. Director Kirill Serbrennikov stuns with his protagonist “Venya” whose religious fundamentalism has gone berserk; his rants, focusing on the gospels, become more frantic, belligerent, …