Spitball Army

Across the Bridge (1957): A crooked financier running from the law assumes another man’s identity. Twist? The other guy’s a wanted murderer.

[Read more →]

She does love old movies, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise when she said “basil” as if it were cast in a Sherlock Holmes film.

[Read more →]

The Damned Don’t Cry! (1950): Pulpy semi-noir of a hyper-ambitious social-climbing Joan Crawford that could use more heat and skin. Everyone Says I Love You (1996): Including an Indian cabbie. And Woody Allen and Julia Roberts thank God they have talents outside of singing. Daniel (1983): Disjointed, ultimately satisfying story of two criminalized American radicals […]

[Read more →]

George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011): First half: Obligatory Beatles history. Second half: Graceful portrait of a spiritual man. The Avengers (2012): Thank goodness the movie and its explosions were loud enough to drown out the screaming and crying child in the 7th row. The Five-Year Engagement (2012): In which two grown women […]

[Read more →]

J. Edgar (2011): Bleak from beginning to end. Couldn’t escape noticing Leo DiCaprio’s capital-A Acting, even though it was fine Acting. Tower Heist (2011): Who cares if it is full of plot holes? Tough to argue against a film that’s enjoyable, funny and sticks it to the rich. A Separation (2011): Incredibly decent Iranian people […]

[Read more →]

Trumbo (2007): The travails of blacklisted Hollywood writer Dalton Trumbo told largely through readings from his voluminous correspondence. Shame (2011): Proof that filmmakers are still enamored of The Ambiguous Ending. And Fassbender? Amazing acting, and all of that other stuff, too. Purification (2012): I can never get those two hours back.

[Read more →]

Little Big Man (1970): Picaresque tale (a la Barry Lyndon) of the American West in which spilled human blood is the color of Hawaiian Punch. My Week with Marilyn (2011): Fascinating 100-minute period vignette with a greatly effective supporting cast, by which I mean Judi Dench. Magic Trip (2011): Found-footage documentary chronicles Kesey, Cassady and […]

[Read more →]

The Trip (2010): I will never hear ABBA’s “The Winner Takes It All” the same way again. Czech Dream (2004): How 1000s of spend-crazy Czechs were duped (via marketing) into rushing a mall grand opening that didn’t exist. Die Welle (The Wave) (2008): High school teacher focuses immersion-style on concept of autocracy during project week. […]

[Read more →]

Le Quattro Volte (2010): Posits that our lives cycle through all phases of nature. Just finished viewing it and want to immediately see it again. 21 Jump Street (2012): At the 21 Jump Street sneak tonight: full house; almost constant laughs; possibly the sickest dick joke on film. The Artist (2011): Saw The Artist tonight. […]

[Read more →]

Pina (2011): Who knew modern dance could be so funny, moving, provocative, & energizing to watch? Not me, apparently. Fantastic even in 2D. In Time (2011): Borrowed premise (Logan’s Run; Gattaca); clunky dialogue; wonderfully creative use of downtown Los Angeles locations. I kept thinking, while watching, how it might work as stage play…characters ruminating on […]

[Read more →]