On DVD/Blu-ray – Review: Lincoln (2012)
by NIR SHALEV
Lincoln takes place during the last month and a half of the American Civil War. We witness as President Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) works ceaselessly to end the war by focusing on the slavery aspect of it. The Confederates had fought long and hard to keep slavery in America and Lincoln figures that if he can influence the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment he can hasten the end of the war. The film’s focus on Lincoln’s focus on the Thirteenth Amendment is new to me. It’s also rather inspiring. Read more 
On DVD/Blu-ray – Review: The Master (2012)
by NIR SHALEV
Is it possible to have a screenplay that’s entirely themes and character development rather than plot progression and a clear purpose? Yes, because that describes The Master. Read more
On DVD/Blu-ray – Review: The Intouchables (2011)
by NIR SHALEV
Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, The Intouchables tells the story of quadriplegic aristocrat Philippe (François Cluzet) and his new caregiver Driss (Omar Sy). Driss is from the projects and lives a lackluster life but isn’t a bad person. Philippe chooses him over many other qualified caregivers simply because he isn’t as boring or predictable as all of the other candidates. Read more
On DVD/Blu-ray – Review: Flight (2012)
by NIR SHALEV
Director Robert Zemeckis had lost his mind several years back when he announced he would never work as a live-action filmmaker, ever again. He made that announcement after he’d directed The Polar Express (2004), Beowulf (2007), and A Christmas Carol (2009). I like The Polar Express; I like Beowulf for its cheeky humor; special effects aside, A Christmas Carol is a lousy film. I was upset that he said what he said because he’s responsible for the wonderful Back to the Future trilogy (1985-1990), the brilliant Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), and the masterpiece Forrest Gump (1994). Read more
Photo Play – Into the West (1992)
by HELEN GEIB
This month on Photo Play: journeying to new beginnings
On DVD/Blu-ray – A Pair of Movies Featuring Snow in the Mountains
by HELEN GEIB
We had a particularly beautiful snowfall Friday night, that heavy snow that outlines every branch and twig and makes the neighborhood look like a snow globe. I didn’t even mind shoveling my driveway because it was a chance to be outside soaking in the sight. In honor of my weekend winter wonderland, this week’s DVD/Blu-ray recommendation is two movies with memorable snowy vistas. They also remind me how glad I am to live at a lower altitude and a more southerly latitude.
Himalaya (1999)
On DVD/Blu-ray – Cultural Studies Through Sports
by HELEN GEIB
Sports movies, that is. This post was prompted by today’s DVD release of Crooked Arrows joined to my realization that I’d seen four good sports dramas this year with the same basic plot- but set against four very different milieus.
Crooked Arrows (2012)
Call it the Hoosiers plot: New coach of underdog youth (broadly defined) sports team teaches the kids valuable life lessons, turns them into a real team, and gains spiritual renewal in return. Read more
Capsule Movie Review – Argo (2012)
by HELEN GEIB
Argo is an engrossing thriller based on a little known chapter of the Iran Hostage Crisis. Six Americans escaped the embassy by a back door and were granted refuge by Canada. To use the CIA’s apt codename, they became the Houseguests of the Canadian ambassador and his wife. Read more
Movie Review – Lawless (2012)
by HELEN GEIB
Hollywood has traditionally viewed Prohibition-era bootlegging through an urban lens. Lawless de-familiarizes the story by following the supply route back to its source. Franklin County, Virginia in the early 1930s was, to quote the title of the family history-inspired novel on which the film is based, the wettest county in the country. Read more
On DVD/Blu-ray – Review: Bernie (2012)
by HELEN GEIB
Bernie is a unique blend of drama, true crime reenactment, documentary, and mockumentary. That word “unique” gets tossed around pretty freely anymore, but if any movie this year qualifies, Bernie is it. It’s also one of the best movies I’ve seen this year. Read more
