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Commentary – Eden is West
I knew from the film synopsis that Eden is West was to have some comic overtones, but I still didn’t expect to enjoy it, I figured with all that talk of critically-acclaimed director, the film would be so full of deep meaning and subtext that I’d be itching for it to be over. Not so, actually it’s completely engaging, maybe not from the first scene, but as soon as Elias (Riccardo Scamarcio) washes up on the shores of a nudist resort, the film stays on a lively pace. Elias is an immigrant who along with many other of his countrymen is trying to illegally come into a new country in…
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New York Film & Video Day 2 – Continued
So I’m posting this as the party at the Telephone Bar (149 2nd Ave) is happening around me. It’s not all work, I’ve partaken of a glass of wine and my fare share of bar food. The Telephone bar is also where I spent most of the afternoon, as their free Wifi is good and fast and their delicious brunches come with a Bloody Mary! This evening’s film selections were much more “inspiring” (see Day 1 post). The First Concert (17 min) Director: Stefanie Borges (pictured) (Australia)A truly sweet film about a little girl of maybe 7 or 8 who lives with her grandmother in a charming but poor little…
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Commentary – Precious & Interview with Lee Daniels
LEE DANIELS IN PHILADELPHIA – PRECIOUS Q&A Lee Daniel’s Film Precious is uncomfortable in the raw injustice of this young girl’s life and all she must endure. The underlying premise of the film does speak to the prejudice in all of us, but the story is her’s and her’s alone- Clareece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe). She is a dark-skinned, hugely overweight, 16 year-old, illiterate girl, who is able to dream of having a “light skinned” boyfriend and being totally fabulous, despite her life of being repeatedly raped by her father, and abused physically and mentally, but her jealous mother (Mo’Nique). Both Gabby and Mo’ Nique have turned in Oscar…
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Commentary – Good Hair
Although the box office hasn’t been too kind to Chris Rock’s Good Hair, I think he should stick to this light documentary style, rather than those atrocious, bad sitcomish movies he’s made over the years (I Think I Love My Wife, Head of State, Down To Earth). I talked to some women after the film, who felt he didn’t go in depth enough about black women who do wear their hair natural. I also agree with another reviewer who said he didn’t touch on the popular trend of lace wigs. And Rock’s tone was one of, I don’t want to see my young daughters fall pray to the evils of…
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Commentary – Law Abiding Citizen
F. Gary Gray has directed more of a slasher flick than an Action/Thriller. You never know who’s gonna get it, when or how. The opening scene is nightmarish! However the movie is wrapped in a calculating and technically thought out script. And Philadelphia’s City Hall is a perfect backdrop, made-to-order, interiors and exteriors. To summarize Clyde (Gerard Butler) has been the victim of a ruthless, random act of violence that kills his wife and child. Nick (Jamie Foxx) is a prosecuting attorney in the Justice Department. Not, by the way, his best roll. Foxx seemed unsure of his character and is a bad on screen kisser. Nick agrees to a…
