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"All That Jazz" (1979( Review

I watched "All That Jazz" (1979) directed by Bob Fosse. I saw it a long time ago. It is not my favorite film. It is very frenetic. It takes a very long time for the final sequence (ending), too long in my opinion. I had just spent an hour in an isolation tank. Then I had a very hot bowl of soup and noodles at Cha Ya. It was quiet and pleasant there. They had just opened. I was running late though, since the movie started at 5:45 and it was already 5:15, so of course I burned my mouth trying to eat the soup quickly. And then came the mayhem of the movie. I much prefer films by Ozu. From IMDb, "Director/choreographer Bob Fosse tells his own life story as he details the sordid career of Joe Gideon, a womanizing, drug-using dancer." The choreography and dance timing were excellent. Roy Scheider and the rest of the cast are very good. The film reflected the frenzy and rush of the main character. I guess I just wasn't in the mood.

https://www.nytimes.com/1979/12/20/archives/the-screen-roy-scheider-stars-in-all-that-jazzpeter-pan-syndrome.html

#films #musical

"Blue Heron" (2025) Review

I watched "Blue Heron" (2025) directed by Sophy Romvari. It stars Eylul Guven (Sasha), Edik Beddoes, Iringó Réti, Ádám Tompa, Liam Serg, Preston Drabble, Amy Zimmer (Adult Sasha), and others. From IMDb, "A family of six moves into a new home on Vancouver Island, but the eldest son's disruptive behavior gradually throws their lives off balance." It is an interesting drama about a child, Jeffery, who has emotional problems and how the family deals with it. It also goes back and forth in time with his younger sister, Sasha, and an adult Sasha. She is obviously very hurt over her brother's actions in the family, the family's reactions to him, and the ability or inability of various social service agencies and others to help with the situation. Also, it is indicated that he has passed, but not how. One's first assumption is suicide. It isn't really a happy film. I found it interesting, although I can't say that I could directly relate to it.

I did find it amusing that one of the last songs played was by Daniel Johnston. I saw a movie about him. A lot of people, like Kurt Cobain, thought he was a great songwriter. His ability to play instruments was minimal; he handed out his songs on cassettes, and he had definite emotional and psychological problems. There wasn't any indication of Daniel Johnston's issues in the film, well, other than the song that was played, so you just had to be aware of who Daniel Johnston was.

A Hungarian immigrant family grapple with oppositional defiant disorder in Sophy Romvari’s intimate and unshowy debut feature

#films #drama

"Salvatore Giuliano" (1962) Review

I watched "Salvatore Giuliano" (1962) directed by Francesco Rosi. Two of the main stars are Salvo Randone and Frank Wolff, however there are a lot of characters in this film. It is in b&w. From IMDb, "The unclear and complicated twists between government powers, independentist party and Mafia in the Sicily of the '40s culminate with the death of Salvatore Giuliano." A Lot of it is about a trial, but also about all the clashes between the Sicilian separatists, the police, the Carabinieri, the Mafia soldiers who are fighting with the separatists, and also about shooting a whole lot of communists at a political rally. It is not a happy film. There is a lot of running around and shooting. I thought it was an interesting film. I'm glad I watched it. It received and was nominated for a number of awards. It is (or was) number 377 in the list, They Shoot Pictures Don't They.

Back in cinemas, Francesco Rosi’s 1962 tale of a real-life Italian bandit is as luminous as ever, writes Peter Bradshaw

#films #drama #foreign film

"A Useful Ghost" (2025) Review

I watched "A Useful Ghost" (2025), a Thai film directed by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke. It stars Davika Hoorne, Wisarut Himmarat, Apasiri Nitibhon, Wanlop Rungkumjad, and numerous others. From IMDb, "Follows Nat, a young female ghost, who refuses to accept death and possesses a vacuum cleaner in her quest to find her husband, March (Most). March's family strongly opposes their reunion, but upon discovering her 'usefulness', they reluctantly accept Nat. Her role is to uncover the identities of wandering spirits throughout Thailand and send them to the afterlife. However, these spirits were the souls of those sacrificed during Thailand's slow democratization process over the past 70 years." The way they are sent to the afterlife is really about them being forgotten, and that is done by ECT to the primary people who remember them.

This is really a rather strange film. IMDb lists it as "Comedy, Drama, Fantasy". I guess you could also call it a horror film and a political film. It also includes straight and gay sex, and mechanophilia (well, with possessed appliances, like a vacuum cleaner)

It definitely has some, um, interesting scenes, some obscene language (and from Buddhist monks, no less). Also, conceptually, it certainly goes in many directions. Their setting for electroconvulsive therapy was a bit odd. It looked like an anechoic chamber, possibly for microwave and RF testing.

This film kept me interested. I think I liked it.

The quirky film, about a women who dies and whose spirit returns by possessing a vacuum cleaner, explores power and political oppression in

#films #foreign film #drama #comedy #horror

"Enola Holmes 3" (2026) Review

I watched "Enola Holmes 3" (2026) directed by Philip Barantini. It stars Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Helena Bonham Carter, Louis Partridge, Himesh Patel, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Hattie Morahan, and various others. From IMDb, "Detective Enola Holmes heads to Malta, where her aspirations merge in her most complex and dangerous case yet." Well, it left out the part about the marriage between Tewkesbury and Enola. The movie was all right, although not really great, IMO. There was lots of action and detecting going on. There were nice landscapes and scene settings. Moderately fun movie.

Millie Bobby Brown shines as Sherlock’s younger sister in the playful third movie of this popular franchise.

#films

"The Sheep Detectives" (2025) Review

I just watched "The Sheep Detectives" directed by Kyle Balda. The main character is Hugh Jackman, who plays George Hardy. George Hardy is a vegetarian and a sheepherder. Some of the people who did the voices of the sheep include Patrick Stewart, Bryan Cranston, and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. Emma Thompson played a human character, Lydia Harbottle. From IMDb, "Every night a shepherd reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand. When he is found dead, the sheep realize at once that it was a murder and think they know everything about how to go about solving it." I liked this movie. It was probably a bit over-sentimental, but it wasn't all sweetness and light. The sheep learned things. Some sheep weren't that smart, some were. This movie was a bit pro-vegetarian. I also liked the song at the end, "500 Miles", by the Proclaimers. I liked the following from the New York Times Review, "Well, I repent. Not only is “The Sheep Detectives” delightful, but it’s funny and emotionally complex and, dare I say, unusually deferential toward the noble sheep, frequently cast as brain-dead losers in cinema’s barnyards (Shaun notwithstanding). It’s also the rare kind of movie after which you can exit the theater saying, “they don’t make movies like that anymore!,” and be absolutely right. Hollywood: Take note, please." It was a bit of a Hallmark movie, although maybe a bit smarter than many I have seen. Many of the characters weren't very complex or deep. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the movie.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/07/movies/the-sheep-detectives-review.html

#films #murder mystery

"Platform" (2000) Review

I watched "Platform" (2000), original title Zhantai, directed by Jia Zhang-ke. It stars Hongwei Wang, Tao Zhao, Liang Jingdong, and numerous others. From IMDb, "A theatre troupe from rural Fenyang struggles under the decline of communism and rise of popular culture in China in the 1980s." I watched the 2.5-hour version. It seems the original was 3.25 hours. I am entertained by the line in the variety review, "At 3¼ hours, this thoughtful, melancholy drama demands considerable patience and may benefit from the cuts being planned." Even at 2.5 hours, it seems sort of long. There are many long cuts. Many of those cuts are without dialogue or have little dialogue. There is lots of sitting around. I must admit to being a little confused about the characters and what is happening. There is a lot of music in this movie. I enjoyed the music, some of the dancing, and the stage performances. The setting is in northern inland China, I think, also around Ulan Bator. The cities and villages seemed sort of desolate, not very colourful. There didn't even seem to be electricity in some areas until the 1980s. Some of the characters just seem to be suffering through life, which I suppose is common for a lot of people everywhere. There are romances, attempts at romances, failed romances, etc. I like the movie, but it does take some patience to watch it.

A meticulously calibrated meditation on a decade of radical cultural reform, "Platform" amply confirms the promise of Chinese director Jia Z

#films #foreign film #drama

"Marnie" Review

I watched "Marnie" (1964) directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It stars Tippi Hedren and Sean Connery. I can't recall this movie from the past. I liked the movie but wouldn't say that it was one of Hitchcock's best movies. The cinematography is great, and I thought the acting was good and interesting. Hitchcock initially wanted Grace Kelly to star in it. She was initially interested, but problems in Monaco unfortunately caused her to decline his offer. Hitchcock wasn't happy, but he liked Tippi Hedren's performance in "The Birds" enough to ask her to star in "Marnie". I have mixed feelings about the controversial "rape" scene. Obviously, I don't like the concept of it, but I am still considering whether it was necessary for the film. I'm not so sure it was. Of course, you see very little of what occurred. If I had more time, I'd read the book, which differed from the movie in several ways.

It is number 375 in the list They Shoot Movies Don't They. It was nominated for Best Film in Cahiers du Cinéma in 1964.

As the My Favourite Hitchcock series continues, we asked members of the the Guardian/film community to tell us about their preferred films f

#films #drama

"Father Mother Sister Borther" (2025) review

I watched "Father Mother Sister Brother" (2025) directed by Jim Jarmusch. From Rotten Tomatoes, "Father Mother Sister Brother is a subtly haunting, wryly funny triptych by director Jim Jarmusch. The film explores the awkward, often mundane dynamics between adult children and their parents through three distinct vignettes set in different countries. It features a stellar ensemble cast—including Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett, and Tom Waits—and leans into Jarmusch's signature dry humor and meditative pacing."

I was amused by the connecting motifs. From the Ebert Review, "Linking the three independent stories together are several thematic threads that fans of Jarmusch will recognize. These include recurrent, dreamlike appearances by street skateboarders and thematic dialogue about Rolex watches and the phrase "Bob's your uncle"." There is also a thing about toasts.

I liked this movie. It isn't full of action or catastrophes. It's just people talking, some pretending or lying, some nervous, some not, all just interacting. I like the music, the cinematography, the frequent awkwardness. I wouldn't say it was one of his best movies, but I thought it was good.

Jim Jarmusch's latest, an anthology about families, is about words not spoken, and people gone but not forgotten.

#films

"Project Hail Mary" (2026) Review

I watched "Project Hail Mary" (2026) directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. It stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz (Rocky), and many others. From IMDb, "A science teacher wakes up alone on a spaceship. As his memory returns, he uncovers a mission to stop a mysterious substance killing Earth's sun, and realizes that an unexpected friendship may be the key." I liked the movie. I thought it had some issues. I wasn't entirely pleased with the way Rocky talked through the translator. There were other things, too.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. I will still get the physical media release. Hopefully it has supplemental material on "Making Rocky".

I like this from the Guardian review, "Tale of a brilliant molecular biologist cast into outer space with only a helpful alien for company is a bit silly, but Gosling’s charisma keeps it watchable"

Yeah, there were parts that were definitely a bit silly.

Tale of a brilliant molecular biologist cast into outer space with only a helpful alien for company is a bit silly, but Gosling’s charisma k

#films #science fiction

"The Ozu Diaries" (2025) Review

I watched "The Ozu Diaries" (2025) directed by Daniel Raim. From IMDb, "A journey into the world of Yasujiro Ozu, using his private diaries, letters, and notebooks." I thought this was very interesting and very good. I have read a biography of Ozu and another book on the film "Tokyo Story", so I was familiar with a lot of the material, but this was a very good documentary. It provides a lot of information, much of it from his diaries (there were 32), along with photos, films, home movies, etc. I believe I have all the Ozu movies available on physical media discs. This includes a lot from Criterion and BFI. Many of his early silent films were lost. "The Munekata Sisters" is not available on disk to my knowledge, but I have downloaded it from online and watched it.

Yeah, I like Ozu films. Unfortunately, "The Ozu Diaries" is not yet available on disc. I will watch for its future availability.

https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/television/the-ozu-diaries-review-a-personal-view-of-the-master-1402e905

#films #documentary

"Remarkably Bright Creatures" (2026) Review

I watched "Remarkably Bright Creatures" directed by Olivia Newman. It stars Sally Fields, Lewis Pullman, Cameron Cassmore, and others. From IMDb, "Through unlikely bonds formed during night shifts at a local aquarium, Tova, an elderly widow, learns of a life-changing discovery that may bring her joy and wonder once again." It is a lot more than that. I liked the octopus.

I enjoyed the movie. It wasn't a deep classical film, but I liked it.

Shelby Van Pelt’s best-selling book is adapted into an easily digestible, sweet-natured afternoon watch

#films

"Sensation Im Wintergarten" (1929) Review

I watched the silent film "Sensation im Wintergarten" (aka "Their Son") (1929) directed by Joe May and Gennaro Righelli. It starred Paul Richter, Gaston Jacquet, Claire Rommer, Vladimir Sokoloff, and others. I enjoyed the film. It was missing some scenes (about 30 minutes, most of the third act) due to film deterioration. Still, it all made sense and some notes explaining missing scenes were shown on screen. I thought the filming and acting were good. This was part of the SF Silent Film Festival. Musical accompaniment by Guenter Buchwald and Frank Bokius. I thought it was good.

#films #silent film

"Once Upon a Time in America" (1984) Review

I watched the extended director's cut (251 minutes) of "Once Upon A Time in America" (1984) directed by Sergio Leone. It stars Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Tuesday Weld, Treat Williams, and many others. It has an excellent soundtrack composed by Ennio Morricone. I liked the cinematography. It was a very interesting story and dialogue. The 250-minute version retains the original flash-forwards and flashbacks, with time out of order, making it a little confusing. I should immediately rewatch it to get a possibly more coherent view. I enjoyed the film but it is rather long.

The release I have also has the 229-minute theatrical release. There are an excerpt from the documentary profile "Once Upon a Time Sergio Leone". I don't have the 139-minute version. I don't plan to look for that.

From IMDb, "With the vivid memory of his long-gone childhood friends Max, Patsy, and Cockeye etched in his mind, his ferociously loyal partners-in-crime during their rise to prominence in New York's Prohibition-era Lower East Side, the defeated, penniless, and guilt-ridden former gangster David "Noodles" Aaronson returns to Manhattan. Not knowing what to expect on his mission to shed light on his opaque past, grizzled Noodles reunites with his only living friend Fat Moe after 35 haunted years of self-exile. However, the relentless, piercing sound of culpability stands in the way of finding closure, as the inscrutable content of a well-worn leather suitcase further complicates matters. And now, against the backdrop of a torn conscience, the sad, bittersweet recollections of more than 50 years of love, death, and everything in-between become inextricably intertwined, leading to even more puzzling questions. But what are a man's options when he is left with nothing?"

The extravagant crime drama was mishandled upon release, hacked apart by Warners Bros, but time has been kind to the fuller, bleaker version

#films

"The Lunchbox" (2013) Review

I watched "The Lunchbox" (2013) directed by Ritesh Batra. It stars Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Niwazuddin Siddiqui, and numerous others. From IMDb, "The film, set in Mumbai, revolves around a mistaken delivery by the Dabbawalas (lunchbox service) of Mumbai, which leads to a relationship between Saajan, a lonely widower close to retirement, and Ila, an unhappy homemaker, as they start exchanging notes through the daily lunchbox." I enjoyed this film. I thought the acting and cinematography were excellent. The main scenes and views of the city and people were very interesting. The "relationship" is entirely through hand written notes and letters passed via the lunchbox. They never physically meet, but he does see her in a restaurant where they were to meet.

The ending was rather melancholy, not really gloomy, but missed moments, different ages, different directions, but a connection, nevertheless.

There was a discussion with the director before the film. It also was very interesting.

Bollywood romance blossoms beautifully when the wrong lunch lands on the desk of a Mumbai office drone, writes Xan Brooks

#films #foreign film

"The World of Love" (2025) Review

I watched "The World of Love" (2025) directed by Yoon Ga-eun. It stars Seo Su-bin, Jang Hye-jin, and numerous others. From IMDb, "Joo-in, a 17-year-old student, confused by love, unleashes chaos with some words spoken in a moment of anger. Anonymous notes questioning her actions begin to arrive, altering hier quiet life." That really doesn't describe the film very well. It is about sexual assault of children and the confusion and emotions of the abused and others. I thought this was a good movie, but certainly not a comfortable movie. Of course, it shouldn't be a comfortable and easy topic.

An astounding lead performance by newcomer Seo Su-bin is the centerpiece of a brilliantly assembled drama about a teen whose buried trauma r

#films #foreign film

"Risa dn the Wind Phone" (2025) Review

I watched "Risa and the Wind Phone" (2025) directed by Juan Cabral. It stars Elena Romero, Diego Peretti, Cazzu, and many others. From IMDb ""A young girl finds a phone booth that allows her to talk to the dead to fulfill their requests and thus manage to contact her deceased father." It is a magical realism film. The original writer, Pablo Minces, spoke before and after the film. I forgot to take a photo. The story was excellent and the acting and cinematography was very good. This was Elena Romero's (as Risa) first film and I thought she was very good. I learned that Cazzu was famous Argentinean rapper and singer. She played the mother of Risa. This is a rather sad and bittersweet movie, but has a number of happy and comic moments. If you go, you might enjoy watching through the credits. There's a short scene with a couple of actors and a dog who appears through much of the film. There is also a long list of hamsters who played Kuro (named after Kurosawa) the hamster. The writer said they each could do one thing. The writer indicated he had written it to be an animated film taking place in Japan. It wound up being live action in Ushuaia, Argentina. I've been to Ushuaia.

Anyway, I really liked the film.

#films #foreign film

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