Reel Life Recommendation: “The Efficiency Expert” aka “Spotswood” a case study in connection

The 1992 Lions Gate release “The Efficiency Expert” with the charmingly 15 years younger than now Anthony Hopkins, Russell Crowe, and Tony Collette among other fine actors is rated as a “comedic gem” and earns its place in the heart-warming category…but charming, now, not overly contrived. Directed by Mark Joffe and written by Max Dann…

“3:10 to Yuma” a Riehlife Reel Life Review: It’s All About the Boy

From Wikipedia: ABOUT THE FILM—3:10 to Yuma is a 2007 Western film that is a remake of the 1957 film 3:10 to Yuma, making it the second adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s short story. It is directed by James Mangold and stars Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. Filming took place in various locations in New Mexico….

Poetic Film: And Now Ladies & Gentlemen”–Laude LeLouch–Anglo-French Co-Production

Okay, I get my films late. Part of fuddy-duddy-hood and part of living in the country. And, worse (or better, maybe?) when I’m in Illinois, I get my films from the library. And Now Ladies and Gentleman, an Anglo-French co-production from 2003 directed by Claude LeLouch and an official selection of Cannes Film Festival Closing…

“Northfork”–A film of European sensibility–Elegaic Fable of longing, loss, faith and re-awakening

When I first met my sweetheart Daniel Holland, we started watching movies by theme and one theme was angels. “Wings of Desire” is one of my favorite movies. Ebert quite rightly compares “Northfork” to it. This movie, now four years old, is out on DVD through Paramount Classics with excellent extras: “Bare-Knuckle Film-making, The construction…

Landscape of the Heart

Winter Passing, now out on DVD, is visually beautiful with skillful acting and slow-paced story telling. the lives portrayed are barren as a winter landscape, rife with drug and alcohol abuse, casual sex, self-injury, suicide attempted and suicide succeeded…in their attempts to block out lonliness and disappointment.  These lives are groping towards meaning and find…

Clarion Call of Love

Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, available as a DVD from the Broadway Theatre Archive, heavy on symbolism and thwarted love in Bohemian rural Russia some time ago…why should we care? Because the play shows so clearly so many ways that human beings fail themselves and others…so many ways love is leaned on, and then expires…from abuse,…