A personal journal of film and documentary reviews, and reviews of anything else that intrigues me.
Kenneth Branagh, “Murder on the Orient Express ” (2017) At least superficially this film is quite enjoyable to see Agatha Christie’s famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot…
Laura Murphy, “Adam Ruins Everything (Season 2, Episode 15: Adam Ruins Science)” (2017) Television programs about science and scientific studies may abound in many forms (as…
British Films, Eastern European Films
Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman, “Loving Vincent” (2017) Most viewers will probably be bowled over by the use of oil paintings on canvas as animation cels…
Tim Wilkime, “Adam Ruins Everything (Season 2, Episode 14: Adam Ruins Halloween)” (2017) Beneath the silliness is a sobering message that the scariest thing about life…
Kim Ji-hoon, “Ta-weo / The Tower” (2012) Maybe its similarities to the World Trade Center twin tower building collapses are too much in the way of…
Laura Murphy, “Adam Ruins Everything (Season 2, Episode 13: Adam Ruins Wellness)” (2017) Once again gatecrashing the most unlikely places – like right in the middle…
Dome Karukoski, “Tom of Finland” (2017) As a general introduction to the life of gay icon Tom of Finland, real name Touko Laaksonen, for a general…
North American Films, Southeast Asian Films
Phillip Noyce, “The Quiet American” (2002) A beautifully made film with much atmosphere, even if it is slow and unassuming in style, and its acting uneven,…
Jeff Chan, “Adam Ruins Everything (Season 2, Episode 12: Adam Ruins Conspiracy Theories)” (2017) An enjoyable if not very substantial episode in this educational comedy series,…
Denis Villeneuve, “Blade Runner 2049” (2017) In its own leisurely way, “Blade Runner 2049” is a very absorbing, even hypnotic film with stunningly beautiful sets that…