Thursday, June 13, 2013

Now You See Me (Louis Leterrier)

A fun crime caper embedded in a 2-hour long magic show. Better than I expected. Recommend

Monday, May 27, 2013

Safety Last (silent, 1923)

Restored version of Harold Lloyd's delightful silent film with famous scene of him scaling building and hanging from clock arms.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chbonsky)

Terrific ensemble acting. Highly recommend

The Iceman (Ariel Vromen)

Once again, Michael Shannon plays a menacing role. Also a strong performance by Winona Ryder as his wife. This time as a contract killer. Effective acting, directing, camerawork, and editing. Recommended, as long as you're not squeamish.

Frances Ha (Noah Baumbach)

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Stories We Tell (Sara Polley)

A documentary of slow reveals that continue right to the end. Stories told by Polley's family about her mother and about her paternity. Highly recommended.

The Company You Keep (Robert Redford)

For those of us who watched (with a mixture of horror and awe) the 60s radical left from the far sidelines, this is a very compelling for both the subject matter and its presentation. Recommend

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Brooklyn Museum

Two fantastic shows. John Singer Sargent's late water colors and El Anatsui's found-objects collages and hangings Highly Recommended.

The Master Builder (Henrik Ibsen)

This disturbing Ibsen play resonating with many early-21st-century concerns. The central character's creepy predations are exaggerated by the production's (obviously purposeful) stilted acting: despite his contention that he wills his own fortune, he seems incapable of behavior that is neither manipulative or fear-based. The ending, which could be seen as his failed effort to finally overcome those fears, can also be the consequence of Hilda's will and her revenge for the MB's molestation of her a decade earlier. Recommend

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