A personal journal of film and documentary reviews, and reviews of anything else that intrigues me.
“What the Media Won’t Tell You About North Korea” (ReallyGraceful, 2017) ReallyGraceful is quickly becoming a useful source of alternative information on topics the Western mainstream…
“How Haiti Became the Epicenter of Crime Through Exploitation of Death and Destruction” (ReallyGraceful, 1 April 2017) Here’s a quick lesson on how Haiti came to…
Paul Briganti, “Adam Ruins Everything (Season 2, Episode 7: Adam Ruins College)” (2017) Aiming squarely at its target audience of US high school students and undergrads,…
Matthew Pollock, “Adam Ruins Everything (Season 2, Episode 5: Adam Ruins Art)” (2017) In this episode, Adam swipes the world of fine art, art galleries and…
French and French-language Films
Claude Chabrol, “Les Biches / The Does” (1968) A beautifully elegant film of stylishness and subtle performances from its lead female characters, “Les Biches” is a…
Takeshi Kitano, “Zatoichi” (2003) Based in part on the television and film series revolving around the adventures of itinerant blind masseur / swordsman Zatoichi in late…
British Films, Chinese and Chinese-language Films
Ian Bremner, “Secret History (Season 14, Episode 4: The Great Wall of China – Hidden Story)” (2014) The famous Great Wall of China is rightly one…
Tim Wilkime, “Adam Ruins Everything (Season 2, Episode 3: Adam Ruins the Hospital)” (2017) Hosted by eponymous comedian and writer Adam Conover, “Adam Ruins Everything” is…
Chinese and Chinese-language Films
Zhang Yimou, “Hong gao liang / Red Sorghum” (1987) “Red Sorghum” marks the debut of Zhang Yimou as an important director in Chinese film and of…
Elliott Kew “Treasures Decoded (Season 4, Episode 1:The Real Tower of Babel)” (2017) The Bible story of the construction of the Tower of Babel as a…