“Mary Queen of Scots” Dwells on Luridness More than Facts
The story of the rivalry between Mary Stuart, the Catholic ruler of Scotland, and Elizabeth I, the Protestant queen of England, is a complex and enthralling one concerning power, religion, and womanhood in the 16th century. When those themes show up onscreen in Mary Queen of Scots, the film feels immediate and vital. Unfortunately, too […]
“If Beale Street Could Talk” Speaks of the Black Experience in Poetry and Pain
One of the first rules of screenwriting is, “Show, don’t tell.” However, when you’re adapting author James Baldwin’s marvelous novel If Beale Street Could Talk for the screen, an exception has to be made. Baldwin’s writing is so sublime that to ignore his way with words would rob the story of too much of what […]
Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma” is a Gorgeous and Haunting Tale of the Working Class
The opening image in Roma is one that starts off as mysterious, then turns monotonous, and finally, becomes a haunting metaphor for the plight of the working class. The image is of the outdoor tiles of a driveway being washed as buckets of water cascade across them again and again. We hear scrubbing, but the […]
“The Favourite” Vamps the World of Politics, Power and Feminine Wiles
The Favourite would be an exceptional, noteworthy film in any year. It’s whip-smart, raucous, and daring, a pungent black comedy that’s expertly produced and provides a rare showcase for three actresses at the top of their game. But in the era of Trump, Brexit, and burgeoning autocracy worldwide, it is impossible not to read The […]
“Ralph Breaks the Internet” Lampoons Life Online (and Disney too!)
Wreck-It Ralph was a hit for Disney in 2012, making fun of video games and stunted adolescence. Six years later, its sequel hits the theaters and is the rare one that equals its predecessor. In many ways, the internet is even more ripe for parody than video games, and Ralph Breaks the Internet skewers its […]
