— by WILLIAM STERR — Mexican drug cartel bosses are known for their savagery, their secrecy and their short lives. One of the worst was Juan “Little Hands” El Monte, brutal leader of the largest drug trafficking gang in the nation. Unknown to even his closest associate, Juan had a sp[...]
Archive for December, 2024
Review: The Damned
— by WILLIAM STERR — A vicious winter. An isolated Icelandic fishing outpost, in danger of starvation due to a poor catch. The foundering of a sailing ship whose survivors would put an impossible burden on the already hungry fishermen. And the decision by Eva (Odessa Young – “Shi[...]
Review: Dahomey
— by BEV QUESTAD — The return of the treasures, the murmuring of the spirits and the new thinking of the people receiving the restitution make this documentary, in the top fifteen 2025 Oscar list, an eye-opener. We see an elegant dinner cruise on the electric ripples of the Seine long af[...]
Review: The Seed of the Sacred Fig
— by BEV QUESTAD — Secretly filmed in Iran, a dire intermix of state and religion is the threatening backdrop of the film’s story as well as the true-life, nerve-wracking environment for the film crew. Once a state is regarded as a manifestation of God’s will, laws, rules, and regula[...]
Review: Longlegs
— by WILLIAM STERR — Osgood Perkins was a stage and film actor active in the 1920s and ’30s. Among his films were “Scarface” and “Madame DuBarry.” Before dying in a bathtub at 45, he sired one son, Anthony Perkins. Anthony also became an actor, famous for his performance as[...]
Review: Daughters
— by BEV QUESTAD — This tender film’s catapult to the 2025 Oscar Best Documentary Short List was not unexpected. “Duaghters” is an outstandingly poignant love story that reaches deep into our essential bond with our parents. When the bond is compromised, we instinctively want it re[...]
Review: Will & Harper
— by BEV QUESTAD — Oh boy, prepare yourselves for a ride like no other across America with Harper Steele, former head writer for “Saturday Night Live” (1995-2008), and Will Farrell, world-famous comedian, along with great songs like “America” (sung by First Aid Kit). Will[...]
Review: The Bibi Files
— by WILLIAM STERR — Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu is the longest serving Prime Minister in Israeli history. Between 1996 and today, he has served more than 17 years. Seventeen turbulent years. In recent years, he has been under investigation, charged with corruption and influence peddli[...]
Review: From Ground Zero
— by BEV QUESTAD — A snow-white fuzzy donkey is lovingly cared for in a small rustic corral. It is lucky to have enough food and water. Daily its owner hitches the donkey up to a flat-bed cart and rides around the remains of a dusty town, picking up and dropping off strangers and their [[...]
Review: Things Will Be Different
— by WILLIAM STERR — Being a brother-sister duo of thieves can be difficult. Joseph (Adam David Thompson – “Glass”) and Sydney (Riley Dandy – “That’s Amor”) are on the run with a lot of cash after a robbery. The cops are in pursuit. They meet up at a diner and then [...]
Review: Conclave
— by WILLIAM STERR — Who knew selecting a new Pope could be so dramatic? The new film “Conclave” is in the spirit of a Dan Brown-based film of almost 20 years ago, “The Di Vinci Code,” but without the skullduggery. Both involve sacred beliefs being put to the test through a convo[...]
Review: Santosh
— by BEV QUESTAD — Santosh’s young husband, a second-year policeman noted for his integrity, is mercilessly killed in a riot he was called to quell. When Santosh goes to the station to collect his belongings, she learns she can inherit his position with the same salary. While this posi[...]
Review: Red One
— by WILLIAM STERR — And some folks think “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie! But let’s get serious. The Christmas season is upon us and so are the Christmas-themed movies. One that has gotten a lot of buzz – thanks to Farmers Insurance if no one else – is “Red One.” T[...]
Review: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
— by WILLIAM STERR — It’s 1988, and a great movie by the surprisingly innovative director, Tim Burton, has opened. It stars Michael Keaton and young Winona Ryder. The movie is called “Beetlejuice.” Huh? No, it’s 2024 and a great movie by the established – in his opinion sold ou[...]