Category: FILM REVIEWS
The Czech New Wave: Jan Kadar, Part 1
Still on vacation, but here are reviews of two films by Czech New Wave maestro Jan Kadar: Adrift / Desire Called Anada / Touha zvaná Anada (197!1), and The Shop on Main Street / Obchod na korze (1965).
Fat Kid Rules the World at TIFF Next Wave Film Festival
One of the headliners at the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival (May 10-12) is Matthew Lillard’s directorial debut, Fat Kid Rules the World (2012), which I’ve reviewed, along with related reviews of Lillard in his breakthough film SLC Punk! (Sony) and The Descendants (Fox Searchlight).
Degrees of Separation from Twilight Time
Just uploaded are reviews of two new shiny Twilight Time Blu-rays: the wry & saucy Bell Book and Candle (1958) and the satin-draped Desirée (1954).
HotDocs: Revision + Other Tidbits
Capsule review from the latest HotDocs screening: Revision (2012), the Cumberland Cinemas closes today, and Fox bids adieu to distributing 35mm film in 2014.
HotDocs: Family Nightmare + Francophrenia
Capsule reviews from the latest HotDocs screenings: Family Nightmare (2011) and Francophrenia (Or Don’t Kill Me, I Know Where the Baby Is) (2012).
Not-so-nice North Korea: Part 1
First in a series focusing on documentaries and the few North Korean films (from or about) that have been released, starting with Patty Kim and Chris Sheridan’s superb documentary Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story (2006), and Pulgasari / akak Bulgasari (1985), reportedly the most expensive film made by the North, and directed by a kidnapped South Korean director.
HotDocs: Despite the Gods + Chasing Ice
Capsule reviews from the latest HotDocs screenings: Despite the Gods (2012), and Chasing Ice (2012) making it’s Canadian American premiere.
HotDocs: Shadows of Liberty + Where Heaven Meets Hell
Capsule reviews from the latest HotDocs screenings: Shadows of Liberty (2012) making it’s World premiere, and Where Heaven Meets Hell (2011) making it’s North American premiere, plus editorial blather.
Film Music at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival + Soundtrack Reviews
Just uploaded is a quartet of soundtrack reviews, starting with Howard Shore’s Hugo (HOWE Records), and a few horror titles from La-La land Records that didn’t quite make it into Rue Morgue’s coverage due to space issues… and were perhaps overlooked… until now: Danny Elfman’s epic Planet of the Apes (in a fat 3-disc set),Trevor Jones’ The Sender, and Basil Poledouris’ Spellbinder. Also detailed: specifics of the Film Music Sidebar Series at the upcoming Toronto Jewish Film Festival (May 3-13), including a few things involving me!
The Titanic Legacy, Part II
Tired of the Titanic blather? Well, try and squeeze in two more edifying reviews – the 1943 Nazi propaganda film Titanic, and the 2012 History CHannel documentary Nazi Titanic, which chronicles the often absurd and tragic circumstances surrounding the film’s production. Also added to the mobile site database are related reviews for Das leben geht weiter, Herr Goebbels’ last but unrealized propaganda film; Wort un tat, a crude 1938 Nazi newsreel / ersatz documentary; and reviews of Titanic (1953) and Raise the Titanic (1980). Wait, that’s not two reviews… Whoops.
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