Bobi Wine The People’s President documents five years in the life of a man who used his musical success to challenge the corrupt and autocratic rule of Uganda’s president. The movie succeeds in meshing music and politics in an intriguing mix.
20 Days in Mariupol is not a feel-good movie. But if you have any doubts about how horrible war is, or even if you don’t, you need to watch this film. (5*)
The Eternal Memory successfully captures the loving relationship with a wife trying to give care to her Alzheimer’s-afflicted husband. It also tries to paint, unsuccessfully, a parallel picture with his work as a reporter in Chile during the Pinochet regime. (3.5*)
A good but disturbing film documenting the struggle of a 13-year old rape victim in rural India and her father as they seek justice and, in the process, start social change.
Four Daughters is a fascinating and unique that tells a tough story of a broken Tunisian family. It also raises questions about artifice and filmmaking ethics. (3.5*)
The Teachers’ Lounge is an uneven film about a German middle school teacher caught in a web of increasing misunderstandings and uncertainty. (3*)
Io Capitano is a harrowing tale of two teenage boys, attempting to immigrate to Italy from Senegal. While the story had promise, the movie lacks purpose and fails to define a consistent tone. (2*)
Perfect Days will appeal to older generations who look for simpler, easier times and marvel in the way light filters through tree tops (komorebi) (4*)
Society of the Snow is a very difficult film to watch, but it is probably an essential one. It effectively makes you ask what you would do when faced with these choices. (4.5*)
Elemental is top-notch creative world building on top of a mundane story! (3*)
Nimona may not be the best in animation, but it tells an important message about gender identity. (3.5*)
Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse is a sequel and like the original, it isn’t for everyone. If you are into comic book action heroes go for it. Otherwise, there are plenty of other movies to see. (3*)
Oppenheimer is an epic film that rewards the hard work required of the viewer. A full exploration of a man, physics, politics, and movie making. (5*)
Poor Things, the story of a baby’s mind in an adult woman’s body, is probably the most bizarre movie I’ve ever seen. It is also one of the best. (5*)
The Zone of Interest is more than just a story of evil. But the film’s best characteristics are damaged by extraneous scenes. (3.5*)
In The Holdovers, three people, rife with their own problems, spend Christmas break, 1970, with each other. It is funny and emotional. And it’s a Christmas Movie. (3.5*)
Past LIves tells the story of three characters in a whirlwind of fond memories, painful regrets, and doubts of self-worth. A simple and tightly emotional story, but not one you will long remember (3.5*)
American Fiction is about racial stereotyping cast as a delicious comedy and moving drama. It is also, I think, a story about its own creation. (4*)
An accident? A suicide? Or was it murder? Anatomy of a Fall will keep you oscillating between the possibilities even past the end. (4*)
So far, at least, this is my favorite picture of the year. Full of sensory and storytelling delight. (5*)
Despite great acting by Bening and Foster, Nyad fails to develop sympathetic characters and an interesting story. (3*)
Maestro is a well told story of a romance between two individuals over decades and how it developed in the shadow of fame. (4.5*)
Killers of the Flower Moon is an exceptional and powerful movie about the Osage Native American murders of the 1920s, but it’s just too long! (4*)
An Overview of my review process, and a general outline of when and how we will be looking and reviewing each of the 2024 Oscar Movies.
I review my 2024 Oscars prediction success (17 out of 23 correct). And talk about what worked in the prediction process and where it screwed up.
Here are my predictions for each of the categories for the 2024 Oscars. I hope you enjoy the show and all of the movies this year!
A suggested ranking of all 38 feature Oscar nominees based on real world data. I then compare those ratings to the actual nominations and make some observations.
An in-depth analysis of what audience and critic reaction is right now to the 38 Oscar nominees. Includes comparison of both rankings.
First Analysis of the 2024 Oscar Nominees, including a quantitative assessment of how competitive they are and the current measurement of Hollywood Sexism!
An overview of all of 2023’s Oscar-nominated movies, focusing on drama films. This is the last review essay of the 2023 Oscar year
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is, ultimately, a Hallmark Christmas movie with the bonus of wonderful costumes and terrific acting from Lesley Manville. (3*)
An Overview of the 12 2023 Oscar Comedy Films and a look back to 2022.
An Overview of the 2023 Oscar Action Films (and a review of last year’s recommended entries.)
Questa del Rio News: Questa, New Mexico.
Gringo Gazette: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Sierra County Sun: Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.