— by BEV QUESTAD — This review is the last in a three-part examination of films dealing with the Guantanamo prison situation. It’s a seemingly normal day in Afghanistan. A teacher and his family are in their small home in Kabul. A knock is heard at their door and men take the teacher for questioning. […][...]
Review: Prince Philip: The Man Behind the Throne
— by WILLIAM STERR — “Prince Philip: The Man Behind the Throne” is a loving, tender, indulgent biography of the late Prince Philip, consort to Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, to whom he was married for 73 years. The film begins with a description of Philip’s childhood. He was of Danish heritage, descended from […][...]
Review: My Little One
— by BEV QUESTAD — From the moment we see 10-year-old Frida, with red and yellow Indian war stripes streaked across her face, screech up in an old, beat-up and perhaps stolen truck, we suspect things aren’t exactly as they should be. We are assured of this assumption after we learn she has come down […][...]
Review: Death on the Nile
— by WILLIAM STERR — Imagine you are young, of good family, vibrant, intelligent and in love. Desperately in love with a wonderful man for whom you would do anything. This is at the heart of Agatha Christie’s 1937 classic “Death on the Nile.” The late (she died in 1976, two years before the release […][...]
Review: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
— by WILLIAM STERR — How often does a Nicholas Cage movie come along? OK, every few months. But this one is different – it’s Cage unleashed. OK, so he’s almost always unleashed (and without a muzzle). But how often do you get a Nic Cage movie with multiple Nic Cages? Ha! Got you there. […][...]
Review: Cow
— by BEV QUESTAD — “Cow” takes place on a big, kindly run English farm. There is no narration. We are simply observers of the life of a particular black and white Holstein (I think) cow, number 1129. The film begins with the camera on her face. We have no idea from her calm demeanor […][...]
Review: Hit the Road
— by WILLIAM STERR — “Hit the Road” is a small movie. It has a small cast, and most of the action takes place inside of a small car. It is also a movie with a big, big heart. This is the story of an Iranian family making a road trip across the mostly barren […][...]
Review: State Funeral
— by WILLIAM STERR — On March 5, 1953, Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin, absolute dictator of the Soviet Union, died. For three days, he had lain in a coma as his condition declined following a massive stroke. For 31 years, from 1922 until his death, he ruled Russia and its vassal states with a will of […][...]
Review: The Contractor
— by BEV QUESTAD — James Foster (formidably played by Chris Pine) is standing at attention, expressionless, while a military board announces that he will receive an honorable discharge with no pension or healthcare. Later, we learn the special forces sergeant has been a heroic combatant on a series of dangerous missions during which he […][...]