Now Playing — All of Us Strangers
Andrew Haigh’s latest is an emotional haymaker that boasts a remarkable performance by Andrew Scott. Continue reading Now Playing — All of Us Strangers
Tag: 2023 movies
Then Playing — Stamped from the Beginning; Bell, Book and Candle; Rustin
Stamped from the Beginning (Roger Ross Williams, 2023). Somewhat adapted from and somewhat inspired by Ibram X Kendi’s book of the same name, this documentary by Roger Ross Williams pointedly traces the creation and enforcement of racial identity as a … Continue reading Then Playing — Stamped from the Beginning; Bell, Book and Candle; Rustin
Then Playing — The Killer; Maestro; Poor Things
The Killer (David Fincher, 2023). Following the prestige passion project Mank, David Fincher returns to the sort of glossy pulp that seems to most stir his cinematic heart. The Killer focuses on a hitman (Michael Fassbender) whose previously perfect professional … Continue reading Then Playing — The Killer; Maestro; Poor Things
Then Playing — Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget; American Symphony; I Wouldn’t Be in Your Shoes
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (Sam Fell, 2023). The first Chicken Run, which was also the first feature-length outing for Aardman Animation, was released almost a quarter-century ago. Of course, clay doesn’t really age, so, sure, why not circle … Continue reading Then Playing — Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget; American Symphony; I Wouldn’t Be in Your Shoes
Then Playing — The Main Event; A Thousand and One; Black Angel
The Main Event (Howard Zieff, 1979). Barbra Streisand stars as Hillary Kramer, the owner of a major perfume corporation who goes bust after her accountant embezzles all of her money and absconds to South America. One of the only assets … Continue reading Then Playing — The Main Event; A Thousand and One; Black Angel
Then Playing — Ladies of the Chorus; Paris, Texas; Reality
Ladies of the Chorus (Phil Karlson, 1949). This backstage drama about burlesque performers is pedestrian in its most basic particulars, but it has just enough flinty spirit to keep it interesting. Peggy Martin (Marilyn Monroe) is a performer who rises … Continue reading Then Playing — Ladies of the Chorus; Paris, Texas; Reality
Now Playing — May December
It’s long been clear that filmmaker Todd Haynes is a master of manipulating tone for delightfully acts of cinematic chicanery. To this point, this most potent manifestation of that talent was surely Far from Heaven, his 2002 film that gently … Continue reading Now Playing — May December
Then Playing — Theater Camp; Inherit the Wind; Sweet Revenge
Theater Camp (Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman, 2023). This affectionate spoofing of arts education summer camps where young thespians find their hit-the-back-row voices is too raggedy to be wholly satisfying. As directed by first-timers Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman, Theater … Continue reading Then Playing — Theater Camp; Inherit the Wind; Sweet Revenge
Then Playing — Albert Brooks: Defending My Life; Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.; Blue Jean
Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (Rob Reiner, 2023). This documentary on the life and career of Albert Brooks includes enough clips of his remarkable work in comedy and filmmaking to ensure a suitable level of entertainment. In nearly every other … Continue reading Then Playing — Albert Brooks: Defending My Life; Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.; Blue Jean
Now Playing — The Holdovers
I’m sure it’s not solely that The Holdovers is set during the holiday season of 1970 that prompts director Alexander Payne to open his new movie with deliberate evocations of the U.S. cinema of that bygone era, beginning with an … Continue reading Now Playing — The Holdovers
