Category: Classic
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Criterion: Drunken Angel (****) is a stunning look at postwar Japan
Drunken Angel is a flawed, but brilliant first film by one of the world’s greatest directors. Knowing he is this good when he started out makes me hopeful for a future I already know.
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Criterion: Metropolis(****) C-3PO and socialism
Even through it’s complicated history of interpretations, Metropolis is very much the definition of essential cinema.
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Criterion: Paper Moon (****1/2) is still a delight
This is the perfect film for Criterion treatment.
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Criterion: 8 1/2 is a critic’s dream / director’s nightmare
As if a critic knows what’s worth creating. “To learn silence,” indeed.
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Forgotten Gem – Queen of Katwe (*****) Mira Nair elevates Disney with some help
This pawn knows its own potential, but also realizes it takes the sacrifice and support of other pieces to help her reach her goal.
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1917 (****1/2) is never really gone
This film is exceptionally filmed and performed. It’s a necessary reminder that war is for keeps and not at all glamorous, even if the effort is a beautiful effort to save 1600 lives.
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Little Women (*****) paddle their own canoe
There are so many moments that inspire tears in Little Women. These tears are happy as well as sad. They are a reminder that life is short and it’s the quality of life that matters. In controlling their reactions to challenges, Jo and their sisters begin to own their stories. It’s our luck that they…
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Knives Out (*****) is a donut inside of a donut hole
“This is one of the best films of the year. It’s also one of the best mystery films I remember seeing. My daughter solved it about midway through. She just wasn’t sure how she’d solved it until Johnson let us all see. ”
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Forgotten Gem: Jackie Brown (*****) – Robert Forster lives on
The ending sends chills through me every time. Especially today, knowing that the end of El Camino is the last time I will ever see the deep story told within the eyes of Robert Forster.
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Forgotten Gem: The Limey (*****)
“This is one of Soderbergh’s best. Coming directly from Out of Sight and just before Ocean’s 11, it’s easy for The Limey to get lost in the shuffle. Don’t let too this one pass you by. ”
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 