Sayombhu Mukdeeprom/Sony Pictures Classics
MOVIE REVIEW
Call Me by Your Name (2017)
This is a very good movie designed for people who are helpless against the appeal of Armie Hammer — which, let’s face it, is most of us. Do we have another movie star handsome and suave enough to evoke the Hollywood stars of old? Most movies are built around men either dull to look at or dull to be around, who are not willing to grin and shrug and casually wander where their curiosity leads them so that you’re compelled to follow.
Continue reading "Gay to December" »
Nicola Dove/Festival du Film Britannique de Dinard
MOVIE REVIEW
The Death of Stalin (2017)
I once asked a Russian colleague why all Russian movies were so depressing; he laughed at me and said, “Look at the history!” I said there must be some amusing Russian movies, and he laughed again and said they were so complicated and culture-specific they were impossible for a foreigner to understand. Five minutes’ rigorous research on Wikipedia informs me that the circumstances of “The Death of Stalin” are broadly historically accurate. It is as yet unclear as to whether that will make me feel better.
Continue reading "The Death of One Man Is a Comedy" »