Directed by Christopher Nolan Will Dormer (Al Pacino) walks the plank in Insomnia. He's an aging LA cop, sent deep into Alaska for a murder that doubles as a form of exile, like sending Napoleon to the island of Saint Helena. Will's recent backstory isn't shown, but it's hinted at, discussed and picked apart throughout the … Continue reading Insomnia (2002)
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Through a Glass Darkly (1961)
Directed by Ingmar Bergman “You see, Karin… one draws a magical circle around oneself to keep everything out that doesn’t fit one’s secret games. Each time life breaks through the circle, the games become puny and ridiculous. So one draws a new circle and builds new defenses.” “Poor little papa.” “Yes, poor little papa, forced … Continue reading Through a Glass Darkly (1961)
Primal Fear (1996)
Directed by Gregory Hoblit Primal Fear is a fun courtroom drama with a few twists and turns, notably in the final ten minutes, like those of Billy Wilder’s The Witness for the Prosecution. The nature of the story is dead serious, including possible mental illness and the murder of a priest caught up in real … Continue reading Primal Fear (1996)
Beatriz at Dinner (2017)
Directed by Miguel Arteta Miguel Arteta’s most well-known films might be human comedies like The Good Girl, Cedar Rapids and the Michael Cera comedy Youth in Revolt. As the movie opens, Beatriz at Dinner has a similar tone. We follow a single character, Beatriz (Selma Hayek), through a normal day in the life until her car … Continue reading Beatriz at Dinner (2017)
Away We Go [Script Only]
Written by Dave Eggers, Vendela Vida Away We Go is a pleasant enough road trip story. It follows Burt and Verona, soon-to-be parents who set out on a journey to figure out where they should live next. Burt is 33, and Verona is 34. They are adults but young enough to succumb to a teenager's … Continue reading Away We Go [Script Only]
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
Directed by Morgan Neville I have a running list of movies that make me cry, and you can add Won't You Be My Neighbor to that list. It's not an outright tearjerker, but there are moments clearly meant to tug on your heart strings, and they certainly do. That shouldn't surprise you. This documentary about the very … Continue reading Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
The Ring (2002)
Directed by Gore Verbinski The Ring is much more of a detective story than a true horror film. Sure, I found particular moments a little terrifying, but most of the horror comes from the eerie atmosphere and a sense of dread that hangs over the entire movie. When a young girl dies in the cold … Continue reading The Ring (2002)
Fitzcarraldo (1982)
Directed by Werner Herzog Fitzcarraldo reminded me of Apocalypse Now (1979) and The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957). Both films concern single-minded obsessions deep in the jungle, and in the case of Apocalypse Now, the troubled story behind the film parallels the narrative, but not quite as much as this Werner Herzog film. Now I don't know the … Continue reading Fitzcarraldo (1982)
The Beast Must Die (1974)
Directed by Paul Annett “This film is a detective story — In which you are the detective. The question is not ‘Who is the murderer?’ — But ‘Who is the werewolf?’ After all the clues have been shown — You will get a chance to give your answer. Watch for the werewolf break.” The Beast … Continue reading The Beast Must Die (1974)
Cujo (1983)
Directed by Lewis Teague It's typically a bad recipe when your movie relies on a dog's performance, but you know what, Cujo isn't bad! There have been plenty of unfortunate Stephen King adaptations, but this one about a rabid dog isn't one of them. In fact Cujo might work best not just because the dog performance was … Continue reading Cujo (1983)
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