James Greenberg
Amidst the prosperity of post-war America, two of the institutions that reaped great rewards were labor unions and organized crime. Jimmy Hoffa, the president of the Teamsters Union, needed the muscle of the mob, and the mob needed the ...
Asher Luberto
"When I grew up in Brooklyn no one committed suicide. Everyone was too unhappy" Woody Allen would famously joke. It's a joke that applies to the dreary "Motherless Brooklyn," though Woody forgot about one thing: murder. That's ...
Paula Farmer
For fans and followers of director Bong Joon-ho (“The Host,” “Mother,” “Snowpiercer”), you are truly in for a treat with his latest feature, and for those new to this creative genius, welcome to the wonderful creative world of this ...
Asher Luberto
"Lucy in the Sky" is a manifestation of Newton's Law of Gravity. It starts with Natalie Portman's Lucy up in space. "Just a few more minutes" she says like a kid on the playground. She's floating through ...
Paula Farmer's review of Almodóvar's journey through memory and loss.
Paula Farmer
The maestro of Spanish cinema, Pedro Almodóvar, known for quirky characters, bold themes and daring aesthetics, delivers a quieter more sublime story in his latest film of memory and loss. “Pain and Glory” focuses on his film alter ego, ...
Toba Singer
Salvador’s torso bears a vertical scar. We come upon him (Antonio Banderas) sequestering himself, holding his shallow breath while his body is entirely submerged in a swimming pool. Yet, an underwater camera finds him. It reveals the thoracic surgical ...
Paula FarmerSan Francisco,
While on the surface the 42nd Annual Mill Valley Film Festival may seem like global cinematic showcasing, per usual, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find a festival that is as committed to the community and highlighting social ...
Asher Luberto
Who could have guessed that the race for best actor at the Oscars would be between Brad Pitt and Brad Pitt? As unlikely as it might sound, it's true. The only thing this 55 year old performer can't seem ...
Asher Luberto
Life can be more than ups and downs, as "The Goldfinch" argues, it can be just downs. This drama/comedy means to create empathy in audiences by showing them so many depressing images that sympathy is the only ...
Asher Luberto
Sorry to pop your balloon, but "It Chapter Two" is a mess. The second chapter in the clown saga feels as long as Stephen Kings' 1,138 page novel (it's nearly 3 hours!), and twice as bleak. It's ...
