Directed by David Fincher In David Fincher's The Game, a lonely, powerful control freak loses control. He is Nicholas Van Orson (Michael Douglas), an investment banker who lives in a large mansion that only accentuates his isolation. When one of his employees wishes him a happy 48th birthday, he implies to his assistant that he should … Continue reading The Game (1997)
Month: February 2019
St. Nick (2009)
Directed by David Lowery Much of David Lowery's later work is present in St. Nick, an affectionately rough around the edges micro-budget debut film about two siblings who have run away from home. When we meet them they're already past the point of escape. They move around leisurely and confidently, not manic but with a deep sense … Continue reading St. Nick (2009)
The Ice Harvest (2005)
Directed by Harold Ramis The Ice Harvest is a crime movie that begins after the crime has been committed. The co-conspirators are Charlie (John Cusack) and Vic (Billy Bob Thornton), and they've just stolen a couple million dollars from a man sure to kill them should he find out. It's Christmas Eve, and the two agree … Continue reading The Ice Harvest (2005)
Minding the Gap (2018)
Directed by Bing Liu Minding the Gap tells the story of three young skateboarders from Rockford, Illinois as they transition into adulthood. They are Zack, Kiere, and Bing, the director himself. For all of them skateboarding is an escape from broken homes and domestic abuse. In the case of one, a recent father, we see … Continue reading Minding the Gap (2018)
The Two Escobars (2010)
Directed by Jeff, Michael Zimbalist The Death of Stalin is a dark comedy about the power struggle in the wake of Josef Stalin's death. It's funny, frankly, because it combines the familiar drive of those with political ambitions today with the lawlessness of a time and place in which you could make many of your … Continue reading The Two Escobars (2010)
Amadeus (1984)
Directed by Milos Forman We see Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through the eyes of a contemporary, Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), a man full of envy and awe. Framed through his immense jealousy, the film is big, broad and cutting. It makes Mozart (Tom Hulce) a juvenile virtuoso with a unique laugh and builds a Stepbrothers-like rivalry … Continue reading Amadeus (1984)
They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)
Directed by Peter Jackson They Shall Not Grow Old is a fascinating documentary consisting entirely of archival footage on the Western Front and accompanying voice over from unseen survivors of the war. Their words bring to life the sometimes mundane, certainly horrifying reality of daily life in the trenches, where between the bombs and gunfire … Continue reading They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)
The Mule (2018)
Directed by Clint Eastwood Clint Eastwood's The Mule is ludicrous. Its predictability wouldn't normally be a problem were it at least a little fun, but the movie takes itself very seriously. Eastwood plays the central character, a 90 year old Earl Stone, who is at all times the moral center of the movie, which is absurd … Continue reading The Mule (2018)
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