Movie review: Blinded by the Light

Blinded By the Light — Running Time: 1:58 — Rating: PG-13 “Blinded By the Light” opens in the 1980s and introduces us to Jared (Viveik Kalra), a young man who tells us, “I’ve spent 35 years trying to let go of the destructive parts of my character.” Watching him show us those decades is pure pleasure. There are no weak parts of this boy’s character, but he is born to a kindly mother and a tough, uncompromising father (Kulvinder Ghir) who tries to determine every detail of his son’s life. As an immigrant fro … (read more)

‘Major Arcana’ shows Vermont as it is

MIDDLEBURY — It’s unlikely that any of the movie stills from Vermont filmmaker Josh Melrod’s first narrative feature, “Major Arcana” (2018), which was screened last Thursday at the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival, will ever get turned into a Woody Jack … (read more)

Movie review: After the wedding

After the Wedding — Running Time: 1:50 — Rating: PG-13 “After the Wedding” unfurls gradually as it introduces us to locations and characters. A salute to writer Susan Bier and director Bart Freundlich for letting us get to know the principals before they … (read more)

Movie Review: Monmouth Film Festival 2019

This year’s Monmouth Film Festival — an international film festival in Red Bank, N.J. — opened with two complex films that kicked off the annual weekend celebration created by founder and president Nick Marchese.  The festival unfurled nearly constant scr … (read more)

Movie review: The Farewell

“The Farewell” is a grand mixture of cultures, a deeply caring family, and a group of fine actors who are introduced quickly and with clarity. Writer/Director Lulu Wang first sketches the characters who will merge as the family gathers in China for the ap … (read more)

Movie review: Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood — Running Time: 2:41 — Rating: R 1969 was a key year in the slippage of power from old Hollywood to the new. Quentin Tarantino has made “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood” as his goodbye wave to the old movie world. While it s … (read more)

Movie review: Wild Rose

Wild Rose — Running Time: 1:41 — Rating: R How can a young woman capture us with an impossible dream? “Wild Rose” does just that by joining the inspired abilities of a singer/actor, a writer, and a director in creating on-screen magic. Actor Jessie Buckle … (read more)

Movie review: Pavarotti

Pavarotti — Running Time: 1:26 — Rating: G A mild warning about the wonderful “Pavarotti.” Those of you who are genuine opera lovers may find it borders on being frenetic. Those who are looking at it as a biography rather than a musical event will see it … (read more)

Movie review: Yesterday

Yesterday— Running Time: 1:56 — Rating: PG-13 Any summary of “Yesterday” would miss its magic.  Don’t look for the good, the mediocre or the bad in this one. Just try watching and waiting for it to wrap you in its arms. That takes about five minutes. In i … (read more)

Movie review: Maiden

Maiden — Running Time : 1:37 — Rating: PG It is easy to tell you that “Maiden” is about the first all-woman crew in the in the round-the-world sailing race. It’s far harder to convey the astonishing quality of this documentary on all its many levels. Just … (read more)

Movie review: Apollo 11

Apollo 11 — Running Time: 1:33 — Rating: G Watching an American crew landing on the moon 50 years ago stirred a complex mix of emotions in those of us who were alive and watching on our relatively new TV sets. We earthlings watched in deep curiosity as th … (read more)

Movie review: Ash is Purest White

Ash is Purest White— Running Time: 2:16 — Rating: R Do go to “Ash is the Purest White.” Let’s look at the tough part of this new film that is earning excellent reviews from the pros. The Chinese language pulls our eyes to the running translations at the b … (read more)

Movie review: Vice

Vice — Running Time: 2:12 — Rating: R Moviemakers have fallen so in love with the new tools at their disposal that they are using them at a tough cost to the audience: confusion. “Vice” is a prime example. The political figures of our era are shown at dif … (read more)

Movie review: The Frontrunner

The Front Runner — Running Time: 1:53 — Rating: R “The Front Runner” is a movie for people who are captivated by presidential politics. For those who aren’t, this is a barrel of confusion that requires patience and imagination. Even if you followed Gary H … (read more)

Movie review: Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes

Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes — Running Time: 1:47 — Rating: R How I wish “Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes” could be seen by everyone in America. Right-wing thinkers will be at a loss to condemn it as partisan because it is com … (read more)

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