A personal journal of film and documentary reviews, and reviews of anything else that intrigues me.
Italian and Italian-language Films
Edoardo Maria Falcone, “God Willing / Se Dio Vuole” (2015) A gentle slapstick comedy, Falcone’s “Se Dio Vuole” won its director top directing honours in Italy’s…
Charlie Chaplin, “Modern Times” (1936) In its own way, “Modern Times” is significant as an example of how one actor / director adapted his style from…
French and French-language Films
Xavier Giannoli, “Marguerite” (2015) The inspiration for this film may have been the American socialite and amateur opera soprano Florence Foster Jenkins who was notorious for…
French and French-language Films
Luis Buñuel, “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie / Le Charme Discret de la Bourgeoisie” (1972) This comedy-of-manners film about six people who constantly make arrangements to…
French and French-language Films
Luis Buñuel, “The Phantom of Liberty / Le Fantôme de la Liberté” (1974) This film might be seen as a snapshot in the life of modern…
Australian and New Zealand Films
Rolf de Heer, “Charlie’s Country” (2013) A sad and compassionate film of a man’s search for identity and belonging, “Charlie’s Country” originated as a vehicle around…
Adam McKay, “The Big Short” (2015) How do you tell the story behind the sub-prime mortgage crisis and the massive housing bubble that led to the…
Charles Chaplin, “The Great Dictator” (1940) It’s over-long and the slapstick comedy is laid on very thickly but film legend Charlie Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator” is…
Masato Harada, “Kakekomi Onna to Kakedashi Otoko” (2015) A light-hearted historical drama set in Japan during the early 1840s, “Kakekomi …” combines comedy with some social…
Latin American Films (Spanish language)
Fabian Bielinsky, “Nine Queens / Nuevas Reinas” (2000) Talented Argentine director Fabian Bielinsky made just two films before his untimely death in 2006 and his first,…