Drama, Movies

Moonrise Kingdom

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Wes Anderson’s new film (co-written by Roman Coppola) is a wonderful exploration the trials and tribulations of growing up. In his films, Anderson always focuses on people who don’t fit in society well. This time he centers his attention on two kids (a 12-year-old boy and girl) who not only have trouble fitting in, image [Read More]
Documentary, Movies

Looper

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Time travel sci-fi flicks have been around for a long time. The first third of the film challenges your brain to simply keep track of whether we are in the future or the present and how the two realms are connected.  Looper then spooks you because coming back from the future, Bruce Willis’ character knows image [Read More]
Movies, Phantasy

The Dark Knight Rises

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Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, is in retirement and depressed. But a woman manages to sneak into his castle, stealing pearls and awakening his romantic feelings at least enough to lift him a bit out of his depression. Before long he is back in action saving the big city, which is now under attack from a image [Read More]
Documentary, Movies

Rocky Mountain Express: An IMAX Experience

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Canada was formed in 1867. Four years later the colony British Columbia, which was in financial trouble, joined the confederation. The confederation promised British Columbia that it would pay for a railway link between Vancouver and Ontario. Building a railroad through the Rocky Mountains was an engineering feat. This documentary film tells the story how image [Read More]
Drama, Movies

The Family Stone

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There are many films about Christmas time and families coming together for a few days. This film is special in that it captures very well the rhythms of these family reunions. Most families find it difficult to keep any tensions that might exist under raps. The days move slowly, punctuated by rituals of eating, chatting, image [Read More]
Comedy, Movies

A Thousand Words

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Eddie Murphy is one of most talented comic actors.  Unlike Ted which was fresh and made me laugh throughout the entire movie, 1000 Words has a few good scenes but remains pretty mediocre.  Murphy plays Jack, a high-flying literary agent, who is angry that his father abandoned the family when he was around 10. As image [Read More]
Drama, Movies

Where Eagles Dare

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The Alps are a natural spectacle. Many directors, of course, have realized this. The Sound of Music, for example, was filmed in and around Salzburg. 50 Kilometers south of Salzburg lies the fortress “Werfen.” Where Eagles Dare exploits the dramatic scenery of the fortress and its vicinity to stage a James Bond like spy story image [Read More]
Drama, Movies

The Ghostwriter

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Many of recent Roman Polanksi film were masterpieces. The Pianist was breathtakingly good. The Ghostwriter manages to create a special atmosphere. But the ending was a complete letdown. I understand why Polanksi is not very pleased with American authorities who have been trying to arrest him for over 30 years. (See my recent review). Anyone image [Read More]
Documentary, Movies

Roman Polanski—Wanted and Desired

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This is an excellent documentary and it made me evaluate Polanski escape from the USA.  After watching it one wonders why American authorities attempted once again in 2010 to get Switzerland to arrest an extradite Polanski. After putting him under house arrest for 6 months, the Swiss authorities did not hand over Polanski to the image [Read More]
Drama, Movies

Head-On (Gegen die Wand)

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A few years ago I had nothing good to say about Faith Akin’s 2007 film On the other Side. But Head On, which is only secondarily about the challenges of being born in Germany into a Turkish immigrant family, is a deep film.  Primarily it is about self-destruction and the strangeness of love. Sibel and image [Read More]