‘Blue Jasmine’ (2013): I Left Cate Blanchett in San Francisco (Review)

The latest movie from Woody Allen doesn’t fit so snug into either the comedic or dramatic territory. Even though the movie does feature moments that are funny, a minute later the tone changes and it becomes something quite heavy.  It wouldn’t be fair to call it a dramedy either because in that genre, there are … Continue reading →

Secret Santa Review Swap: The Blues Brothers- Ries of The CK

Our very own Ries writes a review for The Blues Brothers for The CK’s Not So Secret Santa Review Swap (in July). Enjoy: The first thing I can think as I finish up watching the Blues Brothers for the first (yes, the first) time in my life is – man, I wish I’d seen that … Continue reading →

Blade Runner: Do You Like Our Owl?

It opens with fire. The flames bloom out along the center of the screen, red and gold against a midnight world where all the stars have fallen from the sky and now burn and burn in a city at once as familiar and vivid as a dream. “Come in,” a man says, standing alone in … Continue reading →

Before Sunset: Less (Review)

When a love is strange and strong and true, it removes us from what we have known and returns us as strangers to the old hours. It is a transformation of uncertain value however, because like a fire, it has a brightness that dims and leaves a bed of cinders.  A traveler might feel safe … Continue reading →

Before Sunrise: Travels Through Love (Review)

From time to time I struggle to remember what it was like to travel.  I find brief flashes of it everywhere, the way noon light leaves pins of phosphorous lying around in the corners of window –  a fragmentary feeling of the way sunlight bowed over my shoulders, walking up a cliff side, the vision … Continue reading →

Second Opinion: The Bay

Barry Levinson originally wanted to make an eco-documentary. His trouble, he says, was making it dramatic enough to retain the audience interest level. Fair point, if you assume that the audience he was trying to reach was an undemanding group of found footage fans that were also really, really into woodlice. I’ve heard they’re a brilliant, if … Continue reading →

Black Narcissus: The House of Wind (A Review)

“When she is selected to open a nunnery in the Himalayas, Sister Clodagh must hold the nuns together against the indifferent forces of the mountain, the conflicts with villagers, and the emerging pasts of the nuns that threaten to pull them apart.” Directed By: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger  Rated: PG13, 100 min Black Narcissus begins with … Continue reading →

Broken: Norris Flexes His Feature Directing Muscle (Review)

“The story of a young girl in North London whose life changes after witnessing a violent attack.” Directed by: Rufus Norris Rated: 15 Running Time: 91 minutes The demise of childhood and the end of innocence are always highly emotive subjects, especially when played out in front of your eyes by a heartbreakingly adept cast. … Continue reading →

Bully: An Epidemic We All Suffer Through (Review)

“A documentary on peer-to-peer bullying in schools across America.” Directed by: Lee Hirsch, Rated: PG-13, 98 minutes As I have stated in past reviews, documentaries are always a bit difficult to review without including your own opinion on the subject at hand. With Bully, the controversial documentary about the toll bullying takes on the youth … Continue reading →

Second Opinion: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

“Everything will be all right in the end.  So if it is not all right, it is not yet the end.”  – Sonny. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (TBEMH) is one of those occasional films that remind us that you can have a very enjoyable movie without CGI, guns, explosions, and gratuitous (but fun) sex.  It’s … Continue reading →