North American Films

Casablanca: redemption is found in romantic war drama set in a sea of spies, intrigue, deception, rebels and fugitives

Michael Curtiz, “Casablanca” (1942) One of Hollywood’s finest gems, “Casablanca” initially presents as a romantic drama in the middle of war. It’s 1942, France is ruled…

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North American Films

Matrix Revolutions: beneath pyrotechnics and stylistic posturing, a really very ordinary film stuck in a Hollywood matrix

Andy and Larry  Wachowski, “Matrix Revolutions” (2003) Beneath layers of computer-generated pyrotechnics, film noir homage and stylistic posing, the story is fairly basic: it’s a celebration…

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French and French-language Films

Elles: film fails to link prostitution in its various forms to a critique of Western materialist / capitalist society

Malgorzata Szumowska, “Elles” (2011) An interesting and layered film that appears to say whatever viewers may want it to say, “Elles” initially presents as a critique…

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