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B
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Altered Perceptions
(2023)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
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A timely, sexy, sci-fi mind-bender featuring a strong cast that includes Oscar nominees Eric Roberts and Sally Kirkland. It is director Jorge Ameer's most ambitious and provocative film to date.
Posted Aug 31, 2023
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|
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Straight Men & The Men Who Love Them 3
(2014)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
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All in all (with the possible exception of Rubber Duckie) this collection demands checking out.
Posted Dec 01, 2020
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B+
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The Prince
(2019)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
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Juan Carlos Maldonado is sexy and sympathetic in the title role, while Alfredo Castro gives a nicely nuanced performance as the cat- and boy-loving "Stud."
Posted Nov 25, 2020
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A-
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Hamilton
(2020)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
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Brilliantly adapted by Miranda from Ron Chernow's straightforward biographical book, it is compelling theatre imaginatively directed by Tony winner Thomas Kail.
Posted Nov 25, 2020
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B
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The Family Tree
(2020)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
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While the performances in The Family Tree are at times amateurish and Ameer's dialogue can be simplistic, this is a heartfelt story heightened by its holiday setting.
Posted Nov 25, 2020
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A-
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Phoenix
(2014)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
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Riffs on a classic theme in significant ways that resonate beyond its melodramatic trappings. One of the best and most haunting films of 2015.
Posted Aug 08, 2015
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B
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The Outrageous Sophie Tucker
(2014)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
An important, generally enjoyable tutorial on a great show-woman's life. My only gripe against it is the too prominent played on film by biographers Lloyd and Susan Ecker, who also co-produced.
Posted Jul 24, 2015
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B+
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Tangerine
(2015)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Low-budget but accomplished. The high dramatics on display are effectively told.
Posted Jul 24, 2015
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C
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The Tribe
(2014)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
An intriguing setting and risky but successful no-dialogue or -subtitles approach is undermined by a dark plot that grows increasingly off-putting. The cinematography though is superb.
Posted Jun 29, 2015
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B-
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Jurassic World
(2015)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
See the movie for its reptilian stars but try to ignore the humans. The retro gender politics employed are disappointing.
Posted Jun 29, 2015
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B+
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Lord Montagu
(2013)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
In terms of revealing a bisexual man of integrity's rise from the ashes of intolerance, "Lord Montagu" is a heroic portrayal.
Posted Jun 29, 2015
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B
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Tomorrowland
(2015)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Contains enough plot mechanics and dazzling special effects to fuel a few summer blockbusters. The storyline may be too complex and mature for younger viewers. Adults and teens, however, will find much to appreciate and enjoy.
Posted Jun 02, 2015
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B+
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Marie's Story
(2014)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
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Respectfully Catholic and beautifully shot. Isabelle Carre and Ariana Rivoire give stunning, physically rough and tumble performances.
Posted Jun 02, 2015
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A-
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Sagrada - The Mystery of Creation
(2012)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
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Fascinating. Anyone with an interest in architecture, history or religion/spirituality will find much to appreciate.
Posted Apr 10, 2015
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B
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White God
(2014)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Suffers at times from a scattershot tone...(but) Its marauding former pets and unresolved ending reminded me most of Hitchcock's "The Birds." That's certainly not a bad film to aspire to while crafting a needed cautionary tale.
Posted Mar 27, 2015
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B+
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52 Tuesdays
(2013)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
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One of the more remarkable depictions to date of a transgender person's journey. Sensitively written and naturalistically performed.
Posted Mar 27, 2015
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A-
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The Tales of Hoffmann
(1951)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
A gorgeous (2015) digital restoration. A fun, wittily directed and technically impressive achievement.
Posted Mar 13, 2015
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B+
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Eastern Boys
(2013)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
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(Writer-director Robin) Campillo's script takes several surprising turns, and the film's denouement is quite touching. The film manages to be both sexy and compassionate, which makes it all the more impressive.
Posted Feb 28, 2015
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C+
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Maps to the Stars
(2014)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
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A dark film to be sure, even for (director David) Cronenberg. It emerges as an unpleasant, overly harsh critique. Only Julianne Moore's knowing take on the self-absorbed, washed-up actress can be called truly significant.
Posted Feb 28, 2015
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A-
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Queen and Country
(2014)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
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A welcome, thoroughly enjoyable follow up (to "Hope & Glory'). John Boorman hasn't lost his touch for finding humor and even wonder in the seemingly mundane experiences of life.
Posted Feb 28, 2015
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A-
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The Last Five Years
(2014)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
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Excellent. In addition to the sophistication of Jason Robert Brown's songs, it uses a sophisticated dramatic device...that is pulled off beautifully. One couldn't ask for a better pairing than Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan.
Posted Feb 13, 2015
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|
A-
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Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine
(2012)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Proves to be the most intimate and detailed account yet of Shepard's life, death and cultural impact. (Director Michele) Josue remains impressively objective for one who was so close to her subject.
Posted Feb 06, 2015
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B
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Zero Motivation
(2014)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Recommended. A M.A.S.H-esque combination of satire and seriousness.
Posted Jan 23, 2015
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A-
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Mommy
(2014)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Often intense but thoroughly likable and relevant. (Writer-director Xavier) Dolan's best film out of the five he has made to date. It is likely premature to call it his masterpiece though, since he is all of 25 years old.
Posted Jan 23, 2015
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B+
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Cake
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Jennifer Aniston gives an astonishing performance. An abundantly compassionate yet frequently funny script by Patrick Tobin.
Posted Jan 23, 2015
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B
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Diving Normal
(2013)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
The screenplay has its share of inconsistencies...but the film's lead trio of actors is immensely likable, and (the character) Dana's efforts to overcome her dependency on alcohol and drugs are admirable.
Posted Jan 10, 2015
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A-
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Alive Inside
(2014)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
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(Director Michael) Rossato-Bennett and (subject Dan) Cohen struck me at times as being perhaps a little too self-congratulatory, yet the significance of this beautifully-composed documentary and the breakthroughs it depicts can't be denied.
Posted Nov 30, 2014
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B
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Foxcatcher
(2014)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
As always, (Bennett) Miller exhibits observant, masterful control as director and coaxes excellent work from his great cast. But I found the screenplay problematic in terms of failing to provide much psychological insight.
Posted Nov 14, 2014
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B
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Pelican Dreams
(2014)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Captures genuinely fascinating aspects of the birds' lives. Although informative and well-intentioned, (the film) is a bit dull whenever the focus moves off the birds. This isn't helped by Irving's flat narration.
Posted Nov 07, 2014
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B+
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Force majeure
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
A sharp, honest critique of what constitutes "manhood," revealing how fragile a concept it can be. An engrossing (if occasionally slow-moving) treatise.
Posted Nov 07, 2014
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B
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White Bird in a Blizzard
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
An interesting companion piece to the current hit "Gone Girl" if not as compellingly-crafted. From a visual standpoint, though, it is (director Gregg) Araki's most accomplished and eye-pleasing film so far.
Posted Oct 24, 2014
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B+
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Whiplash
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
An intensely exciting, unforgettably dramatic ride. J.K. Simmons reaches new heights with his ferociously manipulative, borderline bipolar performance.
Posted Oct 13, 2014
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A-
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The Decent One
(2014)
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Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
An extraordinary if necessarily unpleasant documentary. One of the most potent exposes to date--as well as one of the few surviving insider accounts--of Nazism and its self-described "decent" architects.
Posted Oct 13, 2014
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A-
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Gone Girl
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
The best, most satisfying mystery/psychological thriller in a long time. It also works as a wicked satire.
Posted Oct 13, 2014
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B-
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Lilting
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
(The film) is beautifully acted by Cheng and Whishaw and is often genuinely moving. To its detriment, it is very slow-paced and I found myself increasingly frustrated by (Whishaw's character's) tiptoeing approach the longer it goes on.
Posted Oct 06, 2014
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B
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Boy Meets Girl
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
A unique story and fine, well-acted film. Best Feature award winner at our 2014 Long Beach QFilm Festival.
Posted Sep 26, 2014
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B+
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Pride
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Inspiring. Despite a number of one-dimensional characters (especially where the women are concerned) and less-than-subtle directorial flourishes, (the film) succeeds greatly on the strength of its cast and undeniably powerful true story.
Posted Sep 26, 2014
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B
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The Skeleton Twins
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Those expecting a load of laughs will be disappointed. All in all, it is good to see this usually comedic cast do some truly dramatic work.
Posted Sep 12, 2014
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B
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La Bare
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
While (director Joe) Manganiello takes a generally straightforward, positive approach to his subject(s), he does show a bit of the dark side. Anyone interested in the art and/or commerce of male stripping will surely enjoy it.
Posted Aug 29, 2014
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C+
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I Am Happiness on Earth
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
(Director Julian) Hernandez provides loads of sexy scenery but not much sense. The film is heavy on slow, sensual storytelling that more often than not demands viewers' intuition rather than offer clearly delineated characters and relationships.
Posted Aug 15, 2014
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B
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Guardians of the Galaxy
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
It takes a good hour for (director James) Gunn to find the proper blend of comedy and seriousness. Once it hits its stride, though, the movie offers undeniable pleasures and unexpected emotional heft.
Posted Aug 09, 2014
|
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B+
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Fifi Az Khoshhali Zooze Mikeshad
(2013)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Beautifully modulated. Offers a remarkably uncensored glimpse into a very significant life through creation, exile and its inevitable yet noble end.
Posted Aug 09, 2014
|
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B
|
Letter to Anita
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Interesting bio of trailblazing lesbian educator-activist Dr. Ronni Sanlo that is unfortunately marred by the oddly journalistic employment of out actress Meredith Baxter. Still, Sanlo's inspiring life shines through the directorial excess.
Posted Jul 25, 2014
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C
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Back on Board: Greg Louganis
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Offers little that is new to anyone who has read (Louganis's) autobiography or seen the TV movie adapted from it. Not particularly interesting or well made.
Posted Jul 25, 2014
|
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A
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I Always Said Yes: The Many Lives of Wakefield Poole
(2013)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
An eye-opener. (Director Jim) Tushinski's film accomplishes what the best documentaries do, informing and entertaining in spades.
Posted Jul 25, 2014
|
|
B+
|
Last Weekend
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Lovely. Features an award-worthy performance by the never-disappointing Patricia Clarkson that fully utilizes her sensitivity, comic timing and other distinctive acting gifts.
Posted Jul 25, 2014
|
|
B+
|
Snowpiercer
(2013)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Few of the screenplay's class-struggle elements are new, and they are driven home in some scenes with a very heavy hand. However, the cast, visual conceptualization, production design and art direction are so strong that these criticisms are fairly minor.
Posted Jul 11, 2014
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B
|
To Be Takei
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
Excessively flattering but still recommended. The doc is a must for Trekkies/Trekkers, younger Japanese Americans, and gays everywhere.
Posted Jul 05, 2014
|
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B+
|
Life Itself
(2014)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
(The film) boasts lively, engaging editorial style but is also a tad overlong and redundant in spots. It is most revealing, at times excruciatingly so, of Ebert's final hospital visits prior to his death.
Posted Jul 05, 2014
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|
B-
|
Violette
(2013)
|
Fr. Chris Carpenter
|
A chilly but not uninteresting biography of the tortured, bisexual writer Violette Leduc, played by a fully committed Emmanuelle Devos.
Posted Jun 27, 2014
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