— by BEV QUESTAD — I messed up. I thought the title was “Begonia” after the flowering plant. But then I checked the spelling and then its definition. Boy, was I off track on that – and a lot more. Kudos go to the writer, Will Tracy, for the obscure title concept. Though his screenp[...]
Author Archive
Review: Sentimental Value
— by BEV QUESTAD — Oh, my precious Norway, you consistently rank in the top 10, amongst other Scandinavian countries, of the happiest in the world. You have one of the safest, most comprehensive, caring governments on the planet, yet it’s from your country we get your consistent explor[...]
Review: Train Dreams
— by BEV QUESTAD — Sometimes it seems that life happens to us – that we just go along, minding our business, trying hard to do our best and then, wham — a bad thing happens or a good thing happens, without will on our part. That’s the way it seems for Robert Grainier. Aroun[...]
Review: The Perfect Neighbor
— by BEV QUESTAD — Filmed via police body cams, police procured videos, and 911 recordings, “The Perfect Neighbor” is an Oscar nominee for Best Documentary. It’s a powerful way to create film verité – no voice-overs and no explanatory narration. You just get the action and voice[...]
Review: Anniversary
— by BEV QUESTAD — Oh, Americans, we complain about being too polarized and that extremes on the right and left are dangerous and a threat to society. So, my friends, what if there was a Unity Party? What if there was a remake of the flag with the stars and the blue background in [&helli[...]
Review: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
— by BEV QUESTAD — Just as convoluted and star-studded as the prior two “Knives Out” whodunits, “Wake Up Dead Man” will likewise challenge your sleuthing skills. But added froth to the bouillon in this third Rian Johnson creation is Catholicism. Conflicted Father Jud Duplenticy ([...]
Review: Orwell: 2+2=5
— by BEV QUESTAD — And we are not at war with Venezuela, the War in Gaza is not a genocide, and prices in America are lower than ever. Double-speak, a term inspired by George Orwell’s terms, Newspeak and doublethink as presented in the satire “1984,” is now de rigor politicalspeak [...]
Review: Caterpillar
— by BEV QUESTAD — Is there any part of your body you would not consider enhancing? People pay plenty for nose jobs, liposuction, breast implants, and face lifts. They endure temporary physical deformity and incapacitation for a promise of future beauty and glory. So, would you also cons[...]
Review: The Secret Agent
— by BEV QUESTAD — The New York Times listed “The Secret Agent” in its top 10 movies of 2025. It’s got a great title, it was made in Brazil, and it starts with a dead body under some casual cardboard flapping in the wind at a gas station. Flies buzz, dogs come, and Che […][...]
Review: The Ugly Stepsister
— by BEV QUESTAD — This is one heck of a wild, bold take-off on The Grimm Brothers’s tale of Cinderella. Still set mostly in medieval times (some girls having braces is a surprise), “The Ugly Stepsister” explores a possible backstory to the rags-to-riches beloved princess. Who was [...]
Review: If You See Something
— by BEV QUESTAD — How much did he know and when did he know it? The redheaded American woman, Katie, is driving two Iraqi friends, Ali and Dawod, to the airport. They hit some congestion which triggers a memory for Dawod, the Iraqi, seated in the back, who is headed for his flight back [...]
Review: Dog Man
— by BEV QUESTAD — My darling why-walk-when-I-can-run? four-year-old friend and child film critic, Logan, and I watched “Dog Man” in mesmerized paralysis. Logan forgot about his French fries while his eyes were completely transfixed by this colorful cornucopia of action, color, and e[...]
Review: Mistress Dispeller
— by BEV QUESTAD — “Mistress Dispeller” is a truly surprising and even revolutionary documentary. It captures shame in real time and dissects something Americans have in common with Chinese: social mobility and infidelity. And yet, there is also a learning, an insight, that can only [...]
Review: Plan C for Civilization
— by BEV QUESTAD — Imagine you are on a train track and a train is coming. On both sides of the track it is pitch black, so you don’t know which way to safely jump. But for sure, if you stay rooted on the track, you will be smashed to death. That’s my pitch […][...]