Directed by Fred Newmeyer, Sam Taylor Safety Last! has perhaps the most famous shot of the silent era, that of a man, Harold Lloyd, dangling from the hands of a clock fastened to the side of a building a dozen or so stories up from the ground. That this famous shot doesn't include Charlie Chaplin or … Continue reading Safety Last! (1923)
capitalism
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
Directed by Chad Stahelski The third John Wick matches the energy of the first two, somewhat improbably, if only because the movie and its universe is already so unhinged. And yet all that ever-expanding chaos is somehow grounded within a strange but strict set of rules. It's John Wick's decision to break those rules at … Continue reading John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
King Kong (1933)
Directed by Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack King Kong is a marvel of a film. Sure just about every aspect of the film has become dated, from the stop motion to the rear projection screens to the racist imagery of a tribal population that sacrifices women to the monster known as Kong, and yet … Continue reading King Kong (1933)
They Live (1988)
Directed by John Carpenter They Live both mocks and decries capitalism, effectively, which might have been a surprise considering how much of a B movie this is. It stars a professional wrestler, Roddy Piper, features a five minute long fight sequence between Piper and Keith David over a pair of sunglasses, and well yeah, it's … Continue reading They Live (1988)
Road House (1989)
Directed by Rowdy Herrington Patrick Swayze plays a peace-minded bouncer in Road House, an action movie so glorious, satirical, oily and self-aware that it seems the perfect capper to a decade of over the top action movies. Dalton's (Swayze) reputation precedes him wherever he goes. He's tough, no-nonsense, and like in so many of these kinds … Continue reading Road House (1989)
Dumbo (2019)
Directed by Tim Burton Dumbo, like its young elephant, has a tough time getting going. The opening moments of the film, aside from a deliriously wonderful and very Tim Burton montage, are loaded with exposition, both in the text and subtext. It sets up characters with frustrating flaws if only because they're so transparent and eager … Continue reading Dumbo (2019)
The Beach Bum (2019)
Directed by Harmony Korine Moondog (Matthew McConaughey) bums around the Florida keys, writing poetry infused into his brain by a lifestyle lived through his loins and out of his mind. He's drunk and/or high all the time and never experiences a hangover, at least none that we ever see. He's full of pithy wisdom, a … Continue reading The Beach Bum (2019)
Us (2019)
Directed by Jordan Peele I want to have strong opinions on this movie, and I suppose I do, a lot of people do, and while some of those feelings are conflicted, all I can honestly say is that I have a lot of thoughts about this movie, a lot of ideas, complaints and questions that … Continue reading Us (2019)
A Christmas Story (1983)
Directed by Bob Clark A Christmas Story seems to be all about desire, mostly as it facilitates good 'ol American capitalism. The story is set in what is often made to seem a simpler time, the 1940s. This is either pre-World War II or if it's in fact set during the war the story, presented … Continue reading A Christmas Story (1983)
Christine (2016)
Directed by Antonio Campos Okay, so Christine is a mix of Network (1976), Nightcrawler (2014), Blue Jasmine (2013) and Taxi Driver (1976). Set in 1974, the story of a local news reporter plays out in the shadow of the Woodward and Bernstein takedown of Richard Nixon which is chronicled in another 1976 film, All the President's Men. Christine Chubbuck, the … Continue reading Christine (2016)
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