Hillary (Episode 2: Becoming a Lady): on the road to smug notoriety
Nanette Burstein, “Hillary (Episode 2: Becoming a Lady)” (2020) This episode continues to cover Hillary Rodham Clinton’s life from the time hubby Bubba Bill decides to…
North American Films
Reviews of films made in Canada and United States including all films made by Hollywood.
China Will Not Invade Taiwan: why does the West insist otherwise?
Carlton Meyer, “China Will Not Invade Taiwan” (Tales of the American Empire, 18 September 2020) In this video essay, narrator / director Carlton Meyer examines how…
Hillary (Episode 1: The Golden Girl): early years of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s life receive glowing treatment
Nannette Burstein, “Hillary (Episode 1: The Golden Girl)” (2020) Ostensibly a four-part series on the life and career of Hillary Rodham Clinton, this work is never…
The Strange Tale of the SS Mayaguez: an example of US military arrogance and bungling resulting in needless tragedy
Carlton Meyer, “The Strange Tale of the SS Mayaguez” (Tales of the American Empire, 4 September 2020) As an example of US military arrogance and incompetence…
Eastern European Films, North American Films
The 2014 American Coup in Ukraine: textbook example of how the US invades and makes over other nations
Carlton Meyer, “The 2014 American Coup in Ukraine” (Tales of the American Empire, 21 August 2020) A very timely release in Carlton Meyer’s Tales of the…
Los Angeles 1991: a common humanity emphasised in an almighty shootout
Miguel de Olaso, Macgregor, Bruno Zacarias, “Los Angeles 1991” (2015) The tale seems contrived and some suspension of disbelief may be required but essentially this taut…
Latin American Films (Spanish language), North American Films
La Carnada: one boy’s road to Hell paved with love and concern in a spider web of exploitation
Josh Soskin, “La Carnada” (2014) In a poverty-stricken town in Mexico not far from the border with the United States, 13-year-old Manny (Angel Soto Jr) is…
Check Please: awkward romantic situation comedy with unattractive characters
Daniel Sorochkin, “Check Please” (2015) A man, Ben (Bryan Manley Davis), takes his girlfriend Laura (Amelia Brain) to evening dinner at a swish restaurant, planning to…
Fill Your Heart with French Fries: dark comedy about grief, social media celebrity and exploitation
Tamar Glezerman, “Fill Your Heart with French Fries” (2016) Based on an actual incident in China, in which a woman jilted by her boyfriend ended up…
Trunk Space: familiar and predictable story and plot elements redeemed by good performances
Max Silver, “Trunk Space” (2016) As surely as the sun rises in the east, birds fly in the sky and fish swim in the oceans, so…