Paul Verhoeven nunsploitation movie BENEDETTA is just another example of the director’s innate vulgarity.
Paul Verhoeven’s “Benedetta” takes both the SHOW and the GIRLS from his 1995...
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Category: Drama
PIG (Michael Sarnoski)
The movie is Rob and Amir’s quest to find our porcine scene-stealer, but it is also a comment on the ruthlessness of the restaurant business and, without being antithetical, the sensuality of food. Sarnoski shoots the cooking and degustation scenes like he was directing “Babette’s Feast” – the poring of red wine into a red wine glass has a visual and aural sensation that is well, delicious.
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Jane Campions “The Power of the Dog” captures and expands on the themes present in Thomas Savage’s original novel
Rose’s decline after he arrival at chez Burbank is quite the plunge. Dunst, however, is so good, so heartbreakingly real, that she makes it all believable. An actress who has been superb in so many movies, gliding back and forth with ease between lead and support, this is the role that finally gets Dunst her due and, hopefully her first Oscar nomination.
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CODA is an improvement on the French original.
It is Ruby’s attachment to he dad (deaf actor Troy Kotsur, very good) that is the heart of the movie. They have a great chemistry that involves the viewer from the beginning. Marlee Matlin gives the movie her blessing by playing the mom but her role is small and one presumes that it was her marquee value in getting the film made that was essential here.
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“King Richard” fits Will Smith like a glove but it’s Aunjanue Ellis as wife Brandy who walks away with the acting honors.
The role is a bit of a cliche, but Ellis invests it with such power, love, and grace that you never doubt her character. And she has a few wonderful heart-to-heart moments with Smith. Slowly but surely, she walks away with the acting honors. But kudos must also be given to Jon Bernthal who plays the sisters second (Tony Goldwyn plays their first) professional coach, Florida-based Rick Macci.
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