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Come From Away
(2021)
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Diane Pershing
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Do yourself a favor and tune in to this one; you'll be so glad you did.
Posted Oct 15, 2021
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Dear Evan Hansen
(2021)
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Diane Pershing
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The insights, humor and sensitivity evinced in the book and the songs do survive enough to make the movie worth seeing...
Posted Oct 15, 2021
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The Lost Leonardo
(2021)
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Diane Pershing
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A lot of talking heads are involved, all willing to discuss their points of view and the roles they played along the way; it's all quite interesting and educational. Highly recommended.
Posted Oct 01, 2021
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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
(2021)
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Diane Pershing
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I didn't even need my inner 15-year-old boy to enjoy this latest Marvel blockbuster; the mature adult me was mesmerized by it.
Posted Oct 01, 2021
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Beckett
(2021)
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Diane Pershing
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Shall I go on to talk about the fact that the music tries to supply the tension that's not in the script? Or that we never do understand who the various bad guys represent? And that by the end we no longer care?
Posted Sep 28, 2021
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No Man of God
(2021)
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Diane Pershing
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No Man of God is not a bad film at all. It just doesn't quite work.
Posted Sep 02, 2021
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The Suicide Squad
(2021)
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Diane Pershing
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The film moves fast; it's forgettable and quite enjoyable.
Posted Sep 02, 2021
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CODA
(2021)
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Diane Pershing
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Bravo to co-writer and sole director Sian Heder for breathing fresh life into an old but reliable storyline.
Posted Sep 02, 2021
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The Old Guard
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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It's a slam-dunk of an action movie. The pace is brisk, the script is solid, the fight scenes brilliantly choreographed.
Posted Jul 30, 2021
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No Sudden Move
(2021)
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Diane Pershing
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There is some violence, but there is also rapid-fire tension, a lot of humor, superb production values and a pitch-perfect supporting cast.
Posted Jul 30, 2021
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My Happy Family
(2017)
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Diane Pershing
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I drank it in, the superb, underplayed acting, the perceptive script, stunning visuals of a woman who has, at last, discovered who she is by watching the wind rustle in the trees and soaking up the quiet.
Posted Jul 06, 2021
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Kid Candidate
(2021)
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Diane Pershing
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I can't say this is more than an excellent example of potentially professional filmmakers who haven't gotten there yet. Kind of like Hayden himself, a David facing a whole bunch of Goliaths.
Posted Jul 06, 2021
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The Mitchells vs. the Machines
(2021)
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Diane Pershing
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It's all about family, and worth every moment.
Posted May 21, 2021
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Above Suspicion
(2019)
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Diane Pershing
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It's not a particularly special film-the genre has been done and overdone-but it is anchored by a stellar performance by the always-riveting Emilia Clarke.
Posted May 07, 2021
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The Marijuana Conspiracy
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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The film itself is only mildly interesting; however, as a history lesson about how mores have changed in the past 50 years and yet have not changed at all, it's worth watching...
Posted May 07, 2021
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Raya and the Last Dragon
(2021)
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Diane Pershing
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The story, the dialogue, the voicework and animation are all of the highest caliber. Not only are the visuals imaginative and gorgeous but there are life lessons to be learned about trust and selflessness and taking chances.
Posted Apr 10, 2021
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Sound of Metal
(2019)
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Diane Pershing
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Film director/co-writer Darius Marder, in his feature film debut, has thoroughly captured the world of heavy metal, the sounds of gradual loss and the realm of silence that propel the plot...
Posted Mar 19, 2021
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Minari
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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Based on his own childhood, filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung has crafted a lovely yet realistic depiction of hard times lived by sturdy human beings.
Posted Mar 19, 2021
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One Night in Miami
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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This is a must-watch film for anyone who needs to learn why Black Lives Matter.
Posted Mar 19, 2021
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Nomadland
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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I don't use the word "masterpiece" very often, but Nomadland deserves the appellation here, for sure.
Posted Mar 05, 2021
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I Care a Lot
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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Yes, I'm exaggerating but you get my drift. On the other hand, if this sounds like your cup of (poisonous) tea, go for it...
Posted Mar 05, 2021
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Derek DelGaudio's In & of Itself
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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The piece envelopes us, mesmerizes us, brings tears to our eyes. Do yourself a favor-see it and believe.
Posted Feb 18, 2021
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The Little Things
(2021)
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Diane Pershing
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While there are a couple of good ideas here, the whole thing just falls flat.
Posted Feb 18, 2021
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The Dig
(2021)
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Diane Pershing
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Director Simon Stone and screenwriter Moira Buffini are to be congratulated on bringing this to the screen so successfully.
Posted Feb 18, 2021
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Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles
(2019)
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Diane Pershing
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For musical comedy (or drama) buffs... and everyone else, too.
Posted Feb 12, 2021
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All In: The Fight for Democracy
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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Headlines might call attention to the false patriots; this is a portrait of a genuine one-someone who saw (and lived) injustice, rolled up her sleeves and got busy with changing it. Bravo.
Posted Feb 12, 2021
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Soul
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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With a mixture of slapstick humor and gorgeous LSD-trip type images, the geniuses at Pixar pull it off.
Posted Jan 23, 2021
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The Midnight Sky
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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I'm a fan of a tale well done that takes its time. But Midnight Sky, while well done, is simply ponderous.
Posted Jan 23, 2021
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Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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Alternately funny and heart-rending...
Posted Jan 09, 2021
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The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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This is a well-deserved tribute, major recognition at last that this was a singular group of singer/songwriters who broke ground with their harmonies and amazing songs, and whose music will live on forever.
Posted Jan 09, 2021
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The Prom
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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I'm afraid even that wasn't enough to thrill me. Bottom line: I admire the production without admiring the show.
Posted Jan 09, 2021
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Luxor
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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...the need keeps building for us to know more and to stick it out to the end. I did and I'm glad I did...
Posted Dec 19, 2020
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Mank
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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I found the whole thing rather cold, smugly in love with its own snappy, cutting dialogue ("All About Eve" did it better), too long and generally off-putting...
Posted Dec 19, 2020
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Dating Amber
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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A delightful, insightful, funny film from Ireland.
Posted Nov 20, 2020
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The Trial of the Chicago 7
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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Special kudos go to Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in the small but significant role of the leader of the Black Panthers, Bobby Seale.
Posted Oct 30, 2020
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What the Constitution Means to Me
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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Please don't let the title be a turn-off because, yes, it is about the Constitution but only as a reference point to a whole variety of subjects, somber, heart-breaking, insightful and funny.
Posted Oct 30, 2020
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Enola Holmes
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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... while I wouldn't say this is an award-caliber film, it moves along at a rapidly pleasing pace and is sure to bring more notice of Ms. Brown's many gifts.
Posted Oct 19, 2020
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My Octopus Teacher
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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Superlatives really aren't enough to describe the joys of watching this documentary.
Posted Oct 19, 2020
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Fisherman's Friends
(2019)
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Diane Pershing
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Not that original, but the ambience, the stories, the delightful old and young salts, kept a smile on my face from beginning to end.
Posted Oct 02, 2020
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Palm Springs
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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Sarah glows with a complex inner life, and the connection she makes with Nyles leads to outrageous capers and silliness in a truly enjoyable way.
Posted Oct 02, 2020
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Howard
(2018)
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Diane Pershing
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Musical comedy buffs will know the name and be eager to see this faithful, if not particularly innovative, rendering of [Howard Ashman's] life.
Posted Oct 02, 2020
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Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins
(2019)
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Diane Pershing
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Talking heads ranging from family members, friends and news anchors Rachel Maddow and Dan Rather bring excellent analysis of this once-in-a-lifetime and sorely missed pundit.
Posted Oct 02, 2020
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Robin's Wish
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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A touching and heart-breaking exploration.
Posted Oct 02, 2020
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Bathtubs Over Broadway
(2018)
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Diane Pershing
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If you love Broadway musicals or offbeat documentaries or admire the comedy mind of one of David Letterman's chief writers and are interested in his obsessions, check out this one.
Posted Aug 07, 2020
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Mr. Jones
(2019)
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Diane Pershing
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Mr. Jones is a worthy addition to the canon.
Posted Aug 07, 2020
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Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films of All-Time Volume 1: Midnight Madness
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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...an engaging, if somewhat repetitive, documentary featuring a bunch of talking heads and wonderful film clips from all those movies that drew crowds of fans...
Posted May 15, 2020
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Crip Camp
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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These are amazing people whose inner lights shine through their distorted bodies and often difficult speech.
Posted May 01, 2020
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The Night Clerk
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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Not only that; the film lacks rising tension - there are too many lulls in the action to keep the suspense going.
Posted Mar 05, 2020
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EMMA.
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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This Emma is all froth; if you like froth, by all means avail yourself of it.
Posted Mar 05, 2020
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Waiting for Anya
(2020)
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Diane Pershing
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The scenery is gorgeous; one would wish the screenplay and its execution measured up to the scenery.
Posted Feb 21, 2020
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