French comedic genius Jacques Tati left the world less than a dozen completed films. If Sylvain Chomets THE ILLUSIONIST did nothing but bring us one more Tati film rife with Tatis gift for gentle, perceptive humor, it would be enough of a recommendation. Using a script written by Tati, but unproduced at the time of… Read More »
NOW YOU SEE ME
NOW YOU SEE ME begins with a giddy sense of mischief and ends with a contrivance that bespeaks the desperation of failing to plan for a proper ending. In between, it quietly devolves from slam-bang fun to barely coherent as four magicians lead the FBI and a debunker on a merry chase through ancient mysticism… Read More »
IN SEARCH OF KUNDUN
IN SEARCH OF KUNDUN is a behind the scenes look at the making of Martin Scorseses film about the early life of the Dalai Lama, KUNDUN. In it we learn of Scorseses early fascination with Tibet, which sprang from a cheesy Hollywood flick called STORM OVER TIBET It wasnt the story or the overwrought back lot… Read More »
HITMAN
Sometimes all it takes is one great image. From there the fertile imaginings of a visionary filmmaker can build a story that is a compelling, even wondrous, cinematic experience. Alas, that is not the case with HITMAN. The image is of a striking bald guy (Timothy Olyphant) in a well-tailored black suit striding about with… Read More »