North American Films | Northern European Films
The Wife: a solid film notable for its lead performances but little else
Bjorn Runge, “The Wife” (2017) As films go, “The Wife” is enjoyable mainly for Glenn
Latin American Films (non-Spanish / non-Portuguese) | Middle Eastern Films
A depressing view of Israeli society in “Empire Files: Israelis Speak Candidly About Palestinians”
Abby Martin, “Empire Files: Israelis Speak Candidly About Palestinians” (October 2017) Abby Martin is an
A dense and really hard-hitting documentary in “Nationalized Finance: Russian Direct Investment Fund Focuses on Helping Country Expand and Grow”
“Nationalized Finance: Russian Direct Investment Fund Focuses on Helping Country Expand and Grow” (Vesti News,
Roman J. Israel, Esq.: character study of a fallible human being trying to live authentically in an inauthentic world
Dan Gilroy, “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” (2017) Once in a while an intelligent and worthy
Salisbury! A Day in Skripal City: a snapshot of a city in shock and uncertainty
Graham Phillips, “Salisbury! A Day in Skripal City” (July 2018) In late July, British journalist
Korean Films | North American Films
The Faces of North Korea: a soulful visual poem showcasing the humanity and achievements of North Korea
Andre Vltchek, “The Faces of North Korea” (2018) Visually poetic, even soulful to watch, this
Over Your Dead Body: an extreme, almost cartoon-ish horror ghost film homage where life imitates art
Takashi Miike, “Over Your Dead Body” (2014) From the incredibly prolific director Takashi Miike, who
Steppenwolf: a stodgy and soporific adaptation of a cult counter-culture novel
Fred Haines, “Steppenwolf” (1974) There was a period in the 1960s when this 1927 novel
Formulaic coming-of-age heroic fantasy blends with Thai Buddhist beliefs in “The Legend of Muay Thai: 9 Satra”
Pongsa Kornsri, Gun Phansuwon, Nat Yoswatananont, “The Legend of Muay Thai: 9 Satra” (2018) Not
5 Centimetres per Second: an insubstantial trilogy on the fleeting nature of youthful love, hope and desire
Makoto Shinkai, “5 Centimetres per Second” (2007) As with his “Your Name”, Makoto Shinkai’s earlier