Peter Murmann

It is difficult to write about this film. There were moments when I hated it because it descended into cheesiness of a soap opera. But there were moments when I loved the film because at the core it is fueled by a love of music and the beauty music brings to our lives. Can you [Read More]

After a long break I had a chance to see Ida last night. I don’t know where I learned about the film. It was on my list of movies to see. Ida is a film about an 18-year-old girl who is about to take her vows as a nun. The mother superior of the convent [Read More]

The conflict between Israel and Palestinians is back in the news. On this backdrop, Omar is an even more poignant drama. The film reminds us of the spy-thrillers made during the cold war. Omar is a young Palestinian baker in love with the sister of one of his friends, which whom he secretly exchanges love [Read More]

This John Wayne western is a real treat. Why. It has a diverse set of characters who gradually reveal themselves or change. It has suspense. It has danger. This is one of the best westerns I have seen.

If you are curious how Somali Pirates can simply take over big container ships and demand ransom from the owners, Captain Phillips shows you how to do it: with machine guns and a lot of daring. The opening scene of the film is the weakest part of the film and the final scene is the [Read More]

Wes Anderson fans will not be disappointed by his new film. While The Grand Budapest Hotel is emotionally not as deep as Moonrise Kingdom, the film has a stronger plot, making it easier to watch. It is also funnier than many of his previous projects. More so than in any Anderson movie, I lost track [Read More]

This year the members of the Academy of Motion Picture have to make a very difficult choice when they vote for the Oscar in the best actor category. For me the choice comes down to either Chiwetel Ejiofor for his performance in 12 Years a Slave or Matthew McConaughey for his portrayal of a homophobic hustler [Read More]

Oh, French films, what a hit and miss affair. Of Men and Gods chronicles the faith of seven French monks, who staff a small monastery in Algeria. As militant groups start killing people, the monks ponder whether they should stay and continue the work in the Muslim country. Even when government official become concerned [Read More]

Would The Secret Life of Walter Mitty appeal to a teenage audience? Or can you even bring your kids and they would enjoy themselves? I don’t think so. To connect with this film, you need to be a bit older and have developed the sometimes unsettling sense that your dreams my not come true. I [Read More]

50 years Philomena kept a secret from her entire family. When she was 18 and without any knowledge how babies are made she “ate the forbidden fruit” after meeting a boy at a country fair. In Catholic Ireland of the 1950s girls like her would be routinely sent to a convent where the child would [Read More]