Category: Mystery / Thriller
-
The Little Things (****): Lonesome road home
I appreciate ambiguity of the ending and actors willing to be shepherds with their frailty revealed while they seek to defend the rest of the herd.
-
Forgotten Gem: Insomnia (****) still resonates
So if you haven’t watched Insomnia for a while, or even if you’ve never watched it, take the opportunity. It’s anything but wasted time. It’s excellent filmmaking.
-
Netflix’ The Call (****) is a nice thriller
Park and Jeon do an excellent job of shifting the emotional landscape.
-
Another Look: Criminal Law (***) Big Fish, Little Pond
This film made impression enough on me that I started following Oldman, there and then, and I have never regretted it.
-
Criterion: Images (***) is Altman’s house of mirrors
It’s hard to forgive a director of Altman’s skill the fact that he never comes close to having us fooled.
-
The Lie (**): Parent Trap
How one reacts to The Lie will depend on how far along they ride with its conceit.
-
Netflix’ Enola Holmes (***) is a humble vanity project
The point to this film, and there is one, is that we get to see a young actress on the way to her prime enjoying herself.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Uncut Gems (***1/2) – Even the losers
The Safdie’s are not breaking new ground, but it covers familiar territory like Velma looking for her glasses, in Scooby Doo. We know she’s going to find them, but someone else will get the credit for the win.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 