Category: CPE
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Another Look: Casino (**1/2) is a stale imitation
It’s one of the fruits of the labor of a great career that he’s been able to keep remaking the same film over and over. This doesn’t make the stale fruit taste any better.
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Another Look: Heist (****) Is refined gold
Hackman’s natural style works perfectly with Mamet’s prose. His dialogue is direct, sometimes crude, but never frivolous.
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The Grudge 2020 (***1/2) – This is a side-quel
A well acted, decently filmed, but unneeded sequel. That’s the best definition of a side-quel I can muster.
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Forgotten Gem: About A Boy (*****) He’s Expressing You
The list of movies I have been putting off is shrinking by the day. Add another classic to the list.
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Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (***1/2) almost taps it
In all it does what you want good comedies to do by giving several re-watchable moments and leaves a pleasant smile on your face. Great comedy risks more, but these guys have friendships with most of the people they are skewering. That’s okay, though. It’s only a Friday stuck at home in Covid 19 season.
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Criterion: Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo (***): Feels like number 20
It’s not a disappointing film. It’s just not memorable either.
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Criterion: Samurai Rebellion (****1/2): Receive the wife, free the wife
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For those worried that Mifune’s film quality might recede without his great collaborator, this is exhibit D (The Samurai Trilogy being A, B and C) that his instincts were good.
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The Lives of Others (*****) …for a good man
This is one of the better films of the last 20 years. It only took me 14 years to see it.
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Criterion: The Sword of Doom (***) doesn’t land flush
A weak third act tears down the momentum of what could be a classic film.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 