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Month: June 2014

“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...

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A Prophet–But Not in His Own Land

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...

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“Cold in July”–Left this viewer cold too

        “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...

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“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...

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