— by BEV QUESTAD — News releases are out today about Pfc. Bradley E. Manning’s 2007 video documenting an apparent US massacre of at least 12 civilians in Bagdad. He’s been charged with eight violations of the U.S. Criminal Code for illegally transferring classified data to Wikileaks.[...]
Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
Under Review: ‘King of India’
— by BEV QUESTAD — A train is traveling past, not stopping. We see them, on the other side, blurred behind the rushing wheels. This is the metaphor for their lives. As India moves on, progressing, these children remain, untended, blurred, disregarded identities. These are the children of[...]
Under Review: ‘Ondine’
— by BEV QUESTAD — Based on mysterious selkie mythology, this film is difficult to follow, hard to understand and just plain odd. Yes, there are parts that are beautifully produced with an intense performance by Colin Farrell as Syracuse. However, I couldn’t understand some of the word[...]
Under Review: ‘Salt’
— by JESSIKA OWENS — Ah, “Salt” … my cholesterol has been through the roof in anticipation for this film. The marketing strategies have been fantastic, from the Facebook teasers, Twitter sneak peaks, to the Day X games. Finally, “Salt” is in theaters and I, [...]
Under Review: ‘Afghanistan: The Trap’
— by BEV QUESTAD — Does this film need to be shown at the start of the next U.S. Congressional session? The next presidential breakfast? “Afghanistan: The Trap” is not a great documentary from the standpoint of cinematic quality or script. But you will widen your eyes and mutter, “[...]
Under Review: ‘Schadeberg: Black – White’
— by BEV QUESTAD — Important art reveals something about the human condition. This documentary on the work of South African photo-documentarian Jürgen Schadeberg brings to life the past and well as current struggles of the Blacks of Soweto, South Africa. It’s an art form of the highes[...]
Under Review: ‘Iris Chang: The Rape of Nanking’
— by BEV QUESTAD — Beautifully, tenderly rendered, this documentary will bring tears to your eyes. One of the searing thoughts that comes from Iris Chang, the author of the book upon which this documentary is based, is that “… all human beings have this capacity for this great evil i[...]
Under Review: ‘Abu Jamil Street’
— by BEV QUESTAD — Twenty-five feet underneath Abu Jamil Street is a parallel avenue, busier and more lucrative. It is one of at least 200 tunnels that works as an underground highway between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. It’s a money-maker for both Egyptian merchants and Palestinian trade[...]
Under Review: ‘Home’
— by BEV QUESTAD — Completely produced through aerial photography and presented with Glenn Close’s perfectly fitting narration, this beautiful film about Planet Earth is mesmerizing in its beauty. The gentle, seductive soundtrack is reminiscent of a mixture of Indian, classical and mul[...]
Under Review: ‘Taliban: Behind the Masks’
— by BEV QUESTAD — This documentary, about a reporter embedded with a Taliban group, is done right. After waiting several weeks in Kabul, Paul Refsdal, a Norwegian journalist, is allowed to join a Taliban outfit high up in the eastern Afghanistan mountains in the fall of 2009. He has bee[...]
Under Review: Shout It Out
— by BEV QUESTAD — This is the high school movie of the 21st century, talking about real people, real troubles and real consequences. The SuAnne Big Crow Award, which is the National Education Association 2010 Human and Civil Rights Award for helping to enhance the sense of worth and dig[...]
Under Review: ‘Inception’
— by MARIUSZ ZUBROWSKI — Sometimes I wish I could just worm my way into certain people’s minds. Oh the mayhem that I would cause. Hell, I can see myself becoming either really rich, extremely acclaimed, or immensely hated – oh wait, I can’t be the last one as I’m already consider[...]
Under Review: ‘Deep Green’
— by BEV QUESTAD — My bet is that viewing this film will end up saving you money. The next time you get your electric bill, think of Matt Briggs. He got his down to 89 cents. Before he ever had a crew enter his home and complete an energy audit he was already aware […][...]
Under Review: ‘The Girl Who Played with Fire’
— by MARIUSZ ZUBROWSKI — I don’t think I’ll ever understand the popularity of The Millennium Trilogy. I’ve always thought of it as the “Twilight” of middle-aged feminists. But then again, what do I know? I’m one of those American sloths who are too impatient to read the novel[...]