Category Archives: Film

Monk with a Camera

Posted on July 10, 2021 by smkelly8

The documentary Monk with a Camera chronicles the spiritual journey of Nicholas Vreeland, whose grandmother was famed Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. Early in his life Nicky was a stylish, well-heeled, privileged boy. He became fascinated by photography in high school … Continue reading →

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Zatoichi #1

Posted on July 3, 2021 by smkelly8

Salt of the earth, wily, dutiful, sharp, Zatoichi is a beloved character in classic Japanese film. After watching Zatoichi at Large, I learned that there are 27 films with this blind swordsman, who’s blind as the hero. I decided to … Continue reading →

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Ned Kelly (2003)

Posted on June 27, 2021 by smkelly8

19th Century Australian outlaw Ned Kelly is a folk hero down under and like Jesse James or Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid has been the subject of many films. Starring Heath Ledger, Ned Kelly (2003) recounts the life of … Continue reading →

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Playtime

Posted on June 21, 2021 by smkelly8

Jacques Tati’s 1967 film Playtime could be a silent film, but it isn’t. There’s minimal dialogue and no meaningful conversations. The film is a critique on modern life – the sterile office space, the noisy, empty social life, and tourism … Continue reading →

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Happy Hour (2015)

Posted on June 8, 2021 by smkelly8

I signed up for the Japanese Embassy’s emails and got one inviting me to watch the film Happy Hour online any time between Thursday 7pm and Sunday 7pm. I figured why not. I had enjoyed their virtual showing of Little … Continue reading →

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Zatoichi at Large (1972)

Posted on May 24, 2021 by smkelly8

I picked up Zatoichi at Large at random at the library. I was in the mood for a Japanese film and was willing to branch off to something new. Thus I discovered Zatoichi, a fictional hero whose life is chronicled … Continue reading →

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Masculin Féminin (1966)

Posted on May 17, 2021 by smkelly8

In general I don’t like Jean-Luc Godard’s films, yet there’s always something in them that I do like, something that intrigues. Masculin Féminin lacks the typical plotline. It’s a series of sequences punctuated by unexplained gunshots. The characters are young … Continue reading →

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Solaris (2002)

Posted on May 10, 2021 by smkelly8

Solaris (2002): A weak adaptation/remake From the first scenes, Steven Soderbergh’s Solaris was a weak film compared with Andrei Tarkovsky’s. The 2002 film begins with the hero Chris (George Clooney) preparing for his space mission. Chris’ environment on earth mimics … Continue reading →

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The Snake Pit (1948)

Posted on April 26, 2021 by smkelly8

In The Snake Pit, Olivia de Havilland plays Virginia Stuart Cummingham, a young woman who finds herself committed to a mental hospital but doesn’t know why. The title comes from the practice from long ago when mentally ill patients were … Continue reading →

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Tempest (1982)

Posted on April 20, 2021 by smkelly8

I got the this movie by accident. When I read Shakespeare’s The Tempest for my book club, I wanted to watch it performed. I got this film which is a loose version. I put this aside as I wanted Shakespeare’s … Continue reading →

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