Britain’s Joanna Hogg uses a real-life daughter and mother to fictionalize a portion (at least one part) of her life in an odd, yet captivating way. The Souvenir could very well be considered a schismatic, measured celluloid representation that is quite an experience for succumbing to its sentient power. Hogg’s adult-minded looking back considers young adult Londoner Julie (an alabaster, […]
Reviews
The White Crow
A limited, if enveloping biopic from Ralph Fiennes (Coriolanus) who also co-stars and writer David Hare (Denial, The Reader) concerns the yearning to depart a native land for industrious independence. The White Crow (mainly in Russian, also English/French with English subtitles) is kind of a triptych through the life of a generation’s preeminent ballet and contemporary dancer […]
Trial By Fire
A true-life drama from the maker of Courage Under Fire, Glory and Defiance works admirably to impart the spirit felt in films like The Life of David Gale and Conviction (the gold standing being Dead Man Walking) though not offering much tautness other than character intrigue. It’s best enjoyed knowing as little as possible going into it. Trial By […]
Non-Fiction
A sprightly, if pointed look into our technically skyrocketing times comes as a garrulous French import from Olivier Assayas. Non-Fiction (fully subtitled, its original title Doubles Vies means double lives) is set in a literary milieu and employs a romantic circle to consider impact of on-line and where written activities are headed in espousing philosophical discussions. Two male middle-agers […]
The Hustle
Those attending this new gender switch on 1988s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels will find the comedic talents of Anne Hathaway (Serenity, earlier Get Smart) and Rebel Wilson (“Isn’t It Romantic”) in short supply. The Hustle has a premise of scamming finding a man’s weakness from a woman’s cleverness. It doesn’t really confirm Hathaway’s French Riviera-based Josephine […]