It took Kazuo Hara five years to get “The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On” made, and it took me even longer than that to finally see it. For the longest time, this masterpiece was only available to watch in extremely low-resolution video or by purchasing a pricy out of print DVD that would occasionally popContinue reading “Film Analysis: “The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On””
Category Archives: Film Reviews
A Look at “The Exterminating Angel” During Times of Crisis
It is not surprising that during these surreal times we live in, I find myself incredibly drawn to the work of Luis Buñuel, father of Surrealist cinema. Watching his 1962 masterpiece, “The Exterminating Angel” in the context of a nationwide quarantine has given this film a whole new meaning. Almost sixty years after it wasContinue reading “A Look at “The Exterminating Angel” During Times of Crisis”
Domestic Turmoil in John Cassavetes’ “A Woman Under the Influence”
John Cassavetes’ most revered film, “A Woman Under the Influence”, is one of cinema’s exemplary works of realism. The title refers to an urban housewife who is gradually losing her sanity. As this intense film unfolds, Cassavetes slowly shifts his focus to the eccentric husband. This subtle switch of the viewer’s gaze is absolute genius.Continue reading “Domestic Turmoil in John Cassavetes’ “A Woman Under the Influence””
Paranoia in John Carpenter’s “The Thing”
“Man is the warmest place to hide.” “The Thing” is John Carpenter’s greatest work; it is also a strong contender for the most entertaining horror film ever made. The film takes place on a remote base camp stationed in Antarctica. Life gets disrupted when the scientists spot a helicopter chasing and attempting to shoot aContinue reading “Paranoia in John Carpenter’s “The Thing””
Reevaluating Humanity in Kazuo Hara’s “Goodbye CP”
There is absolutely no way anyone can watch Kazuo Hara’s “Goodbye CP” without getting deeply affected by it. That said, it is not an easy film to watch by any means. “Goodbye CP” documents what it is like to live in Japan while suffering from cerebral palsy. People with cerebral palsy are often mistreated byContinue reading “Reevaluating Humanity in Kazuo Hara’s “Goodbye CP””
Film as a mosaic in “Dawson City: Frozen Time”
We tell stories that are worth sharing every single day. We do it in the form of a conversation at a dinner table, through a joke, a riddle, or even through news reports. But the best stories are told through an artistic medium such as film, music, theater, or literature. Those who practice storytelling forContinue reading “Film as a mosaic in “Dawson City: Frozen Time””
Identity Crisis in “A Brighter Summer Day”
“A Brighter Summer Day” is Edward Yang’s ambitious crime epic about Taiwanese street gangs in the 1960’s. Seeing this film reminded me of the first time I watched Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, Sergio Leone’s “Once Upon a Time in America”, or Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas”. It is a mammoth work of art that deserves its place among the greats of the genre. “A Brighter Summer Day” sweptContinue reading “Identity Crisis in “A Brighter Summer Day””
Reincarnation in “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives”
Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives” defies written description. The experience is more akin to that of music or painting in that it operates on a subconscious level. It communicates its complex concepts and abstractions through otherworldly sights and sounds. This is magical realism at its most spiritual; the characters inhabitContinue reading “Reincarnation in “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives””
The Dark Side of Humanity in “Häxan”
Benjamin Christensen’s “Häxan” is a Danish film about witchcraft from the silent era. It features dramatized horror sequences that will send chills down your spine. The film is split into four parts. In the first segment, Christensen walks us through some disturbing diabolical artwork from the dark ages. Where does it all stem from? TheContinue reading “The Dark Side of Humanity in “Häxan””
The 10 Best Films of 2019
What a year for cinema! There was pretty much something for everyone. Robert Eggers, Ari Aster and Jordan Peele all made successful returns to the horror genre. Hollywood heavyweights, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Sam Mendes reminded us why we hold them with such high regard. There were also plenty of independent as well asContinue reading “The 10 Best Films of 2019”
The Cinephile Fix 