— by WILLIAM STERR — Allison Meyers (Lizzie Zerebko – “For the People”) is a frustrated woman. She is an architect who is without a job, and whose job search has so far resulted in nothing. She is also a person who, in voice-over, methodically describes her philosophy of developing a plan, carrying it out, […][...]
Review: Orders from Above
— by WILLIAM STERR — On Jan. 20, 1942, a conference was organized in the German city of Wannsee, Germany. It was hosted by Reinhard Heydrick, and dealt with the “total solution of the Jewish question” in all territories under German control at that time. In preparation for the conference, Heydrick’s assistant, Adolph Eichmann prepared […][...]
Review: How to Please a Woman
— by WILLIAM STERR — This amusing tale from Australia begins with a scene of women, six or seven, swimming through clear ocean waters toward the shore. They are members of a swim club and, later in the locker room we get a chance to overhear their friendly banter. One of them, Gina (Sally Phillips […][...]
Review: Dreaming Walls: Inside the Chelsea Hotel
— by WILLIAM STERR — In 1883, work began on a new building in the Chelsea Neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Two years later, it was completed and, at the time, it was 12 stories, which made it the tallest building in the city. It was in the heart of the city’s theater district, […][...]
Review: Hallelujah
— by BEV QUESTAD — “Hallelujah” opens with Leonard Cohen, in signature black trilby, dark gray shirt and black trousers, singing “Hallelujah” for the last time. It is December 21, 2013. At one point he is on his knees, his deep voice reverberating in the charismatic verses and chorus. The audience is moved and I […][...]
Review: Witch House
— by WILLIAM STERR — Howard Philips Lovecraft was an American writer, active during the first half of the last century. His short stories and novellas are credited with establishing horror as a legitimate literary genre (although the reviewers of his time would certainly disagree). He was, of course, not alone in this. There were […][...]
Review: Mad God
— by WILLIAM STERR — Do you remember the walking battle machines in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back”? How about the dragon in “Dragonslayer”? Or the multitude of dinosaurs in “Jurassic Park”? If you enjoyed them, and so many other marvels, both stop action and CGI, you can thank Phil Tipett. This versatile behind-the-scenes […][...]
Review: A Taste of Whale
— by BEV QUESTAD — A Faroese teacher who is also a pilot whale butcher explains, “I feel closer to nature doing this than going down there to buy my meat. I feel a little bit more proud that I know where it’s coming from … So, if I should make a statement, if you […][...]
Review: We Are As Gods
— by WILLIAM STERR — This is the story of fascinating octogenarian Stewart Brand. Brand, among other things, was the creator and editor of “The Whole Earth Catalog.” But that isn’t even the beginning. The documentary’s writer/directors, Jason Sussberg (“The Immortalists”), and David Alvarado (“Bill Nye: Science Guy”), have mined a rich vein of stills, […][...]
Review: Echoes of the Empire
— by BEV QUESTAD — It’s a seductive title with alluring history. The haunting vast steppes of Mongolia, the fascinating life story of the relentless Genghis Khan, and the current precarious predicament of the Mongol people are juxtaposed in this scenic film of cinematic grandeur. Plus, since genetic testing and the alleged presumption that one […][...]