movie reviews – Page 71 – Unhealed Wound

“The Mayor of Casterbridge”–A Victorian Drama for Today

Written by diana on November 2, 2011. Posted in movie reviews, Unhealed Wound. 3 Comments on “The Mayor of Casterbridge”–A Victorian Drama for Today

Victorian values seem remote — the language is obtuse, the character development Shakespearean in complexity. However, I adore Thomas Hardy. As the master of labyrinthine plots, Hardy surprises when the viewer least expects it. And the BBC/A & E mini-series, “The Mayor of Casterbridge” (2003), capitalizes on every...

“The Ides of March”–Beware, Beware!

Written by diana on October 18, 2011. Posted in movie reviews. 2 Comments on “The Ides of March”–Beware, Beware!

Is it possible for any political candidate to win and yet remain true to his or her original values? Movies about dirty politics such as “Wag the Dog”, “All the President’s Men”, “The Manchurian Candidate”, “Primary Colors”, “Bob Roberts” and “The Candidate” (to...

“The Help”– “Telling the Truth Can Be a Revolutionary Act”

Written by diana on September 27, 2011. Posted in movie reviews. 7 Comments on “The Help”– “Telling the Truth Can Be a Revolutionary Act”

Based upon the best-selling 2009 novel by Kathryn Stockett, “The Help” is a vision of a divided America that is consistent, sometimes terrifying, in its insulting, insinuating dehumanization of African Americans. This movie is also easy-to-like –problematic but ultimately winning–and has now earned a huge $154.4 million...

“The Debt”–Did We See the Same Movie?

Written by diana on September 20, 2011. Posted in movie reviews. 4 Comments on “The Debt”–Did We See the Same Movie?

In this remake of a popular 2007 Israeli movie, the genre label “espionage thriller” is an understatement. The movie opens in 1997, as shocking news reaches retired Mossad agents Rachel and Stefan (married to each other but now divorced.) Then “The Debt” moves quickly and chillingly between the 1960’s and...

“The Fighter”–A Knockout

Written by diana on September 11, 2011. Posted in movie reviews. 3 Comments on “The Fighter”–A Knockout

The 2010 blockbuster and critics’ darling, “The Fighter”, won Academy Awards for best supporting actor (an astounding Christian Bale) and best supporting actress (the masterful Melissa Leo). However, I hate boxing movies, especially the tawdry “doormat turned boxing champion” variety we have seen in movies like...

“The Fall” — A Mind-Bending Marvel

Written by diana on August 16, 2011. Posted in Art, movie reviews. 6 Comments on “The Fall” — A Mind-Bending Marvel

The visual splendor and breathtaking imagination of “The Fall” made me actually dream of some of the scenes, an experience I rarely have. Reality and fantasy blur into a magical realism that so dazzles the eyes, it suggests a psychedelic otherworldly, perhaps drug-induced journey. This movie is a magical, mystery...