Daughters of the Dust is about a multigenerational African-American family at the beginning of the 20th Century. They are going to make their way north, away from the sea islands of South Carolina and their Gullah ancestry. The film is written and directed by Julie Dash and stars Cora Lee Day, Alva Rogers, and Barbarao (sometimes credited as Barbara O). This is a film that's hard to get into. I don't mean it as it's poorly made or boring, but it requires a bit more cultural foreknowledge than a typical film. I now understand and can sympathize with people who have no comics or superhero background and attempt to keep up with the Marvel and DC film universes. The best films, though, can draw
Tom Jones is an adaptation of Henry Fielding's picaresque novel. It is about a foundling taken in by Squire Allworthy and raised as a gentleman. He of course is a casanova, a drinker and a carouser who is in love with his childhood sweetheart, but can't keep it in his pants long enough to actually settle down. That and he's base born so her father Squire Western won't except him and with Squire Allworthy's nephew Blifil will find any attempt to bring down his uncle's favorite. It stars the late Albert Finney, Susannah York, and Hugh Griffith amongst dozens of others and is directed by Tony Richardson. For those who didn't take European literature courses, a picaresque novel is defined by hav
Splendor in the Grass is a film about two high school students in love. They have over whelming, lustful urges and overbearing parents all set at the precipice of the Great Depression. It stars Warren Beatty, Natalie Wood, and Pat Hingle and is directed by Elia Kazan. I came at this film with the ideals of today. I felt my worst assumptions proved right about the gender politics of the time in that opening scene. As the sexually frustrated jock, Beatty as Bud, tries to pressure the cutest girl in school, Wood as Deanie, into sex I thought of switching it off. It's such a tired trope and I nearly wrote off the movie there. As I began rolling my eyes at the next few scenes, though, I stopped m
Velvet Buzzasw is a supernatural thriller of sorts set in the art world. A gallery assistant finds the body of her neighbor and upon looking into his apartment, she sees it's filled with art. The art is a hit and a sensation, but the artist never intended for it to be shown and when horrifying accidents befall those involved in its sale, those that profited from the sales start to look over their shoulders. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo and Zawe Ashton. It is written and directed by Dan Gilroy. I will preface this critique by pointing out I wish Rene Russo was given more scripts. She's been relegated to a strange background presence where people look up and say, "Hey, that's Rene Russ
Mikey and Nicky is about Nicky, a low level bookie who stole money from the mob, calling on his lifetime friend Mikey to come and get him out of town before hitmen can catch up to him. It stars Peter Falk as Mikey, John Cassavetes as Nicky and Ned Beatty as Kinney. The film was written and directed by Elaine May. What I love about this film is it doesn't bother with a traditional setup in any sort of way. Very early on, we're given the twist that Mikey is orchestrating the hit on Nicky. Mikey's definitely in touch with the assassin Kinney. After he plays along with Nicky's justified paranoia and reminds him several times of their lifelong friendship. Every small detail should be noticed as w