Category: Drama
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Adrift (***) is steady as she goes
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Overall, the film is a good story. It is inspiring to see people succeed through the gifts God gave them, even when they forgo the giving of thanks.
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Another Look: Can we all admit Saving Private Ryan (***1/2) is good sentimental B.S.?
The soldiers deserve the knowledge that we cannot or will not forget their sacrifice. Then we can work to earn the freedom they gave to us, like Captain Miller wanted Private Ryan to do.
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Criterion: The Lower Depths (****) life by the drop
Into this miserable world walks an old, happy man (Hidari) who has something positive and distinct to say for everyone. This is enough to get several of the stories to explode into the open.
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Criterion: Throne of Blood (*****) is a tragic beauty
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It’s hard to list Kurosawa’s films in terms of greatness. Ranking is almost impossible.
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Criterion: I Live In Fear (*****) has reason on all sides
Kurosawa, Shimura and Mifune by this point are in full swing. There is nothing in the world that matches their ability to relay a story.
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BlacKkKlansman (****1/2) greatness mixed with prejudice
Spike Lee makes a great film, then he takes a dump in the credits with easily refuted claims through selected editing. Why?
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Criterion: The Life of Oharu (****1/2)-Miss Misery
Like the best art, we learn something about humanity and the will to persevere.
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Criterion: The Idiot (**) – Pure soul / faithless world / messy film
There is no known full version of this film. If there were, it might take me a year to finish. It would likely be a lot better, though.
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Criterion: Scandal (***1/2) – Shimura steals the show
This is good Kurosawa, brought up by a great Shimura and steadied by Mifune.
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Criterion: Rashomon (*****) weak by nature
Rashomon stands as a gateway to our existence. It is one of the greatest films ever made, and should be viewed by anyone seeking insight through true artistic achievement. It should be used as a template for those wishing to begin to understand the ever contrasting nature of humanity.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 