Ran (4K restoration) movie rating: green light
A fiercely cinematic experience of startling metaphors, sweeping battles, intense characters, and vivid color that deserves to be seen on a big screen…
political
Zootropolis (aka Zootopia) movie review: creature feature
Marvelous. A bouncy comedy mystery adventure parable in a fantasy world meticulously and cleverly conceived and gorgeously realized. I adore this movie.
The Brainwashing of My Dad documentary review: pushing back against Fox News
An entertaining look at why Fox News is setting the agenda for what passes for journalism in the U.S, and a tool, perhaps, for deprogramming its adherents.
Risen movie review: when habeas corpus gets weird
Initially intriguing detective tale of ancient Rome hops genres into fantasy, with a strange manic-preacher-dream-boy seduction of its pragmatic protagonist.
The Divergent Series: Allegiant movie review: walled in by reality
A disappointing downfall from the previous films, the appealing metaphor for nonconformity giving way to dull good-vs-evil battle and dumb plot conundrums.
London Has Fallen movie review: agitprop security theater
A Nuremberg rally for 21st-century America. Pure terror porn: racist, jingoistic, thoroughly obnoxious. Donald Trump voters will love it. *sob*
The Act of Killing and The Look of Silence documentaries review: when horror doesn’t destroy humanity
Piercing insights into the minds of murderers, and then astonishing generosity from those left behind. Deeply despairing, then restores a bit of hope.
Freeheld movie review: lovers *and* fighters
May be a familiar David-versus-Goliath tale, but it is also an inspiring and hugely emotional experience, due in large part to the powerful performances.
Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom documentary review: Occupy Kiev
This is what a revolution in the 21st century looks like. Spoiler: The power of ridicule when Facebook journalists are watching is vast.
What Happened, Miss Simone? documentary review: this is what happened
Powerful, intimate, and fresh. We desperately need to hear more women talking about being driven in an inexorable way toward a passion.
