Month: June 2014

“The Escape Artist”–Thrilling Escapism

Written by diana on June 29, 2014. Posted in Television reviews. 5 Comments on “The Escape Artist”–Thrilling Escapism

In this two-part mini-series aired on PBS’ Masterpiece Mystery Theater over the past two weeks, Will Burton (David Tennant of “Broadchurch”, “Dr. Who”, and “Harry Potter” fame) is London’s top-ranked criminal defense barrister. Maggie Gardner (Sophie Okonedo, 2014 Tony-award winner for “A...

A Prophet–But Not in His Own Land

Written by diana on June 23, 2014. Posted in movie reviews.

This French film, winner of the 2009 Grand Prix at Cannes and France’s official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, is a prison drama in the same league as “Shawshank Redemption” and secondarily “Goodfellas”: raw, intense, and violent. It works largely because Malik El Djebena (Tahar Rahim), a...

“North Face” (Nordwand) (2008)–The Ogre of the Alps

Written by diana on June 17, 2014. Posted in movie reviews.

Based on a true story, “North Face” is a suspenseful adventure film about a competition to climb the most dangerous rock face in the Alps. Set in 1936 as Nazi Germany urges the nation’s mountain climbers to conquer the unclimbed north face – the Eiger (“Ogre” in German) – two reluctant German...

“Cold in July”–Left this viewer cold too

Written by diana on June 10, 2014. Posted in movie reviews.

“Cold in July” is the first film that Michael C. Hall has starred in following his tremendous performance as “Dexter”. In addition, Sam Shepard appears as a Texan out for revenge for his ex-con son who has disappeared. But neither of these fine actors can save this movie. The story is...

“Palo Alto”–Typically “Shallow Alto”?

Written by diana on June 4, 2014. Posted in movie reviews. 1 Comment on “Palo Alto”–Typically “Shallow Alto”?

I really, really wanted to like this movie, filmed on the street where we lived for almost twenty years. I gave it every hall pass I could, especially since I think James Franco is a gifted actor, writer and artist. Still, this is not a movie worth seeing. The narrative focuses on shy, bored April (Emma Roberts), who comes from a...