Tokyo Story: a study of social and economic change in Japan during the 1950s
Yasujiro Ozu, “Tokyo Story / Tokyo monogatari” (1953) Under the precise and careful direction of Yasujiro Ozu, this family soap opera becomes a character study of…
Italian and Italian-language Films
Bad Tales: voyeuristic survey of dysfunctional families in alienation
Damiano and Fabio d’Innocenzo, “Bad Tales / Favolacce” (2020) A survey of three families living in a dull suburban estate on the outskirts of Rome, “Bad…
Hillary (Episode 4: Be Our Champion, Go Away): concluding episode delving into outright fantasy and falsehood
Nanette Burstein, “Hillary (Episode 4: Be Our Champion, Go Away)” (2020) If the first three episodes of this series on Hillary Rodham Clinton are essentially worshipful…
Italian and Italian-language Films
The Goddess of Fortune: how the passage of time and random events change people and relationships
Ferzan Özpetek, “The Goddess of Fortune / La Dea Fortuna” (2019) On the surface, this very visually stunning and colourful film appears to be a heart-warming…
The Plot to Destroy Syria: a good overview of the agendas aiming at Syria’s collapse and extinction
Carlton Meyer, “The Plot to Destroy Syria” (Tales of the American Empire, 2 October 2020) In just over 10 minutes, director / narrator Carlton Meyer lays…
Hillary (Episode 3: The Hardest Decision): more fawning over a despicable subject
Nanette Burstein, “Hillary (Episode 3: The Hardest Decision)” (2020) Purporting to show how Hillary Rodham Clinton became a feminist icon to millions of women (and quite…
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…
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…