AMOUR

8/23/2013

 
Michael Haneke's (Caché) highly acclaimed bleak portrait of an aging couple; it's French, and the performances are good, but is it a pleasure to watch? No. 
 
Jérémie Renier and Déborah François are two young messed-up parents in this gritty Dardenne Bros. Palm d'Or film: when's the last time you watched a movie without music? Yes, yes, yes.
http://www.sonyclassics.com/thechild/

HYSTERIA

9/24/2012

 
Maggie Gyllenhaal is adorable, as usual, in Tanya Fox's feminist period piece about the invention of the electromechanical vibrator: yes! http://www.sonyclassics.com/hysteria/

TAKE SHELTER

3/15/2012

 
Michael Shannon; huge head, can speak without moving his lips, mumbles, most moodiest actor since Oliver Reed, intense, amazing: love him. This story suits him, and Jessica Chastain is good too. Excellent film.
http://www.sonyclassics.com/takeshelter/

THE SKIN I LIVE IN

3/13/2012

 
Almodóvar reunites with Banderas, trades camp for lightweight horror, and sticks with themes of betrayal and sexual identity. Looks and sounds great, but the story is so far-out, and too many rapes. Weird, violent. Didn't love it, but can't stop thinking about it.
http://www.sonyclassics.com/theskinilivein/

THE GUARD

2/25/2012

 
Irish policeman Brendan Gleeson and FBI agent (not a profiler) Don Cheadle in a dark, funny, film with loads of literary nods. Loved it!
http://www.sonyclassics.com/theguard/

MONEYBALL

1/30/2012

 
Yes, it's good, but I love baseball and Brad Pitt, so what do I know? Wally Pfister makes it look great. Could someone please explain the appeal of Oscar nominee Jonah Hill?
http://www.moneyball-movie.com/site/

RESTLESS

1/29/2012

 
Henry Hopper, son of Dennis, and Mia Wasikowska star in Gus Van Sant's tale of two youngsters facing enormous loss. Hopper is good, and if you can get past Mia's huge head it's obvious she's a fine actor.  Shot in Portland.
Official Site: http://www.sonyclassics.com/restless/

THE IDES OF MARCH

1/20/2012

 
Entertaining, subdued political drama, but the question is: why are women relegated to the roles of pesky reporter and sexy intern? No film needs both Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul  Giamatti. Would have been better with more females. Ryan Gosling and George Clooney are fabulous as usual.
Official Site: http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/theidesofmarch/

HIGHER GROUND

1/12/2012

 
Vera Farmiga found the perfect script to star and direct. She's awesome in this adaptation of a novel about a woman's faith and family. She should find a film to co-star with Ryan Gosling.... Together they would kill!
http://www.sonyclassics.com/higherground/