![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() This history of Pu Yi – the last emperor of China is quite the epic. Chinese history is not well known to most, never mind the complicated transition from Empire, to Nationalism, to Japan domination, and finally to communism. Pu Yi was born in to emperor-hood, was ousted by chiang kai shek, cozie…
|
||||||
![]() Hollywood’s greatest confection is and has always been Hollywood, a reality that the fabulous imagery of Sunset Blvd. celebrates better than any movie before or since. Oh yeah, it’s also a hell of a lot of fun, a black & white cauldron of irony, ambition and beauty, full of devilish turns and …
WikChip Video
A Hyperbolic Trailer That Doesn't Ove...
|
||||||
![]() Brilliance has never been more exquisitely appreciated than in Amadeus, with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s genius obsessively observed by Antonio Salieri, his lesser rival. Profound jealousy makes for such sweet sorrow, especially as snottily delivered by F. Murray Abraham in a stupendously juicy r…
WikChip Video
Sexy Opera, Very Sexy Opera
|
||||||
![]() The Station Agent can be thought of as a little movie about a little man, but should be thought of as a perceptive movie about a dignified man who rises well above his miniature stature. Peter Dinklage plays that man, all 4’ 5" of him, the movie being a study of how a dwarf makes his way in an …
WikChip Image
3 Lonely People, 2 of them Lost
|
||||||
![]() Burton and O’Toole grandly declaim in Becket, a big historical drama and big hit from 1964. Two leading-men of the old school variety, with big voices, they’re more than capable of extreme declamation in a love story between two men – unrequited. The bromance ended badly after Burton’s great ma…
WikChip Image
King & Wingman, before it all went bad
|
||||||
![]() Motown rocks ‘cause of the Funk Brothers: snare rhythms, funky bass, tasty guitar, everything percussive, all from the band behind Smokey and Marvin and Diana and Stevie. Need I say more? Didn’t think so. Let’s get it on. The movie informs us right up front that the Funk Brothers "played on …
WikChip Video
More hits than the Beatles, Stones & ...
|
||||||
![]() Young Mr. Lincoln happily Hollywoodizes our future greatest President. It’s a funny and frequently illuminating movie. Young Henry Fonda played upstanding young men especially well, while John Ford remains one of Hollywood’s greatest directors, with Young Mr. Lincoln in the second tier of his…
WikChip Video
SPOILER: Don't mess with Abe.
|
||||||
![]() Fascinating history lessons are rarely tremendously entertaining, yet The Madness of King George is both. Frequently funny, often charming, it’s nevertheless chockablock with important historical insights about the British government, crown and class system, and the ignorant barbarity of pre-mo…
WikChip Image
Dissolute Prince behind dignified King
|
||||||
![]() Restoration refers to Britain’s casting off of Puritanism, a liberated time of royal hedonism and bawdy theater, from which a much lauded historical novel was derived. Add in Robert Downey Jr., Meg Ryan, Sam Neill and the stunning Polly Walker for cinematic firepower. Restoration is the resul…
WikChip Image
Polly Walker's stunning Royal Mistress
|
||||||
![]() The complete story of Quadrophenia is essential viewing for Quadropheniacs. You know who you are. Pete Townshend takes us on an hour-plus tour through his magnum opus, the greatest of rock operas, followed by twenty minutes of Quadrophenia concert outtakes from the decades. Felt complete to …
WikChip Video
Daltrey & Townshend talk Quad in July...
|