movie reviews – Page 53 – Unhealed Wound

“Joy”—To Behold

Written by diana on May 26, 2016. Posted in movie reviews. 2 Comments on “Joy”—To Behold

Joy is based on the true story of a divorced Long Island entrepreneur, Joy Mangano (played by Jennifer Lawrence), who invented the Miracle Mop in 1989. In the process she overcomes significant personal and business obstacles. Mangano develops an immensely prosperous business empire, first with QVC and later with the Home Shopping Network...

“The Danish Girl”—There are Two

Written by diana on May 10, 2016. Posted in movie reviews. 3 Comments on “The Danish Girl”—There are Two

Based on David Ebershoff’s novel, “The Danish Girl” is a compelling portrait of transgender life in the early twentieth century. A dramatization of the diaries of Einar Wegener, one of the first trans women to undergo sex reassignment surgery, we see the transgender world: first, as Einar and then later, as Lili. “The Danish Girl” opens with...

“Confirmation”—The Sexual Harassment of Anita Hill

Written by diana on April 24, 2016. Posted in movie reviews, Television reviews. 3 Comments on “Confirmation”—The Sexual Harassment of Anita Hill

Almost twenty-five years ago, Anita Hill testified in front of an all-white male congressional hearing presided over by Senator Joe Biden, accusing Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment, a legal concept that did not, as yet, resonate with the American public. In “Confirmation”, an HBO mini-series, we see the reliving of the...

“99 Homes”—And the Other One Percent

Written by diana on April 7, 2016. Posted in movie reviews. 1 Comment on “99 Homes”—And the Other One Percent

It is no longer possible to have a serious discussion about poverty and the income gap without having a serious discussion about housing. “99 Homes” dramatizes this tragic social ill. [Last week’s publication of Evicted by Matthew Desmond, a Harvard sociologist, demonstrates through statistics how eviction feeds the cycle of poverty.] In...

“House of Cards”, Season 4: Still Stacks Up

Written by diana on March 29, 2016. Posted in movie reviews. 4 Comments on “House of Cards”, Season 4: Still Stacks Up

Released on Netflix on March 4, “House of Cards: Season 4” grabs viewers yet again—primarily because of the spectacular rise of Claire Underwood (the incomparable Robin Wright). Equal to her husband Frank as a partner in crime (Kevin Spacey at his best), Claire’s rapid and ruthless ascension to power left this viewer breathless. For better or...

“Blindness” –Seeing is Believing

Written by diana on March 22, 2016. Posted in movie reviews. 1 Comment on “Blindness” –Seeing is Believing

Based on a popular novel by the Portuguese Nobel Prize-winning author Jose Saramago, Blindness (2008) is a dystopian tale of survival in the face of a pandemic. Blindness opens with an affluent Japanese businessman suddenly blocking traffic during rush hour. Inexplicably blinded, he is unable to continue driving and a seemingly good...