Category: Ratings
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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.
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Criterion: Red Beard(****) -Kurosawa’s Last with Mifune
This is not Kurosawa’s best work. In many ways, it is a film of its time. Much of Kurosawa’s work is more of the timeless quality. This feels like something one might have seen from some of the better television dramas of the 1960’s. For that, it is still worth our time.
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Hulu’s Palm Springs (****) is better than most repeats
This film made me and my wife laugh on a Friday night, when going somewhere isn’t an option. It’s the most ridiculous type of praise to say it’s worth watching again when every day is a copy of the last.
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Netflix’ The Old Guard (***1/2) is just beginning
“There is one bad guy to put up a fight, and he is saved for the right person. You’ll know it when you see it. And you should see it. If for no other reason than to get ready for part two, which should be pretty good.”
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Criterion: High and Low (****) Parasite from the age of the morality play
The director’s master of wide screen is such an art by this point that it feels like an entirely different story is being told for long, wordless passages.
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Guns Akimbo (*) is SJW disguised as comedy
For me, I will stick with Running Man. It’s dumb too. Just not as preachy. And I will hold out for filmmakers who are actually bold, and not just gross and silly.
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Another Look: Donnie Brasco (***) is coasting on Goodfellas’ press
The events don’t pan out to much more than what has been portrayed in other, better films. It’s not a bad onboarding spot. Just don’t settle here and think you’ve seen a great mob film.
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Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn (***) – I get it, I just don’t get it
…it’s more of a pitstop on the road to some place better.
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Criterion: Yojimbo and Sanjuro – The Masters at play (****1/2)
It’s a pleasant consequence of having the skill to turn above average into the unforgettable. These films should not be important bedrock films. Yet here they are, standing head and shoulders above, almost 60 years later.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 