Racism is still alive. We know that very well, even when, sometimes, some still have the nerve to deny it. Racism was an entirely economic enterprise through which something utterly immoral was justified on the very grounds of morality (i.e., white supremacy) — and the US had never done better, economically speaking, than when racism…
If there was ever a multi-level headline, this new release, Race, from director Stephen Hopkins (“Predator 2,” “The Reaping”) sure has it. In fact, the story of Jesse Owens, a track athlete at Ohio State University who goes on to shock the world (and especially Adolf Hitler) during the 1936 Olympics, is something that has…
Director Nicholas Hytner (“The History Boys”) serves up a poignant portrait of a disillusioned elderly British bag lady marching to the beat of her own distinctive drum in the uplifting and quirky dramedy The Lady in the Van. Hytner’s touching and slightly offbeat character study is certainly a triumphant turn for revered veteran actress Dame…
To call Eddie the Eagle an uplifting feel-good film is an understatement. This spectacular tale of human achievement tugs on the heartstrings of its audience, as it hilariously details the life and times of British skier Eddie Edwards. This rare sports/comedy/drama matches the charm of its influence by focusing on the perseverance and humorous undertone…
The story of Danish painter Einar Wegener’s transition into Lili Elbe seems tailor-made for cinematic examination. There’s a physical aspect that can be attended to visually as Lili (Eddie Redmayne, Oscar winner for “The Theory of Everything”) comes to the external forefront when Einar begins wearing dresses and wigs. And there’s a deeply internal aspect…
When everything in your life is looking rosy, there is always someone who will tell you that your happiness is on shaky ground. Though most of the time these naysayers will not profit from your misfortune, such is not the case in The Big Short, Adam McKay’s (“Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues”) hard-hitting comedy/drama about…
With In the Heart of the Sea, director Ron Howard, despite his Midwest Oklahoma roots, decided to be the umpteenth moviemaker to take on the epic (and almost unconquerable) tale of “Moby Dick,” Herman Melville’s world famous novel about a 100-foot white bull sperm whale that simply will not be captured. He follows such other…
