Movie Review: Midwinter Break

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

A quite moving film. 

This movie tells the story of an older couple who travel to Amsterdam. On their trip they find just how much they have drifted apart and must deal with their failing marriage. For a movie like this, one of the most important aspects is who is cast as the couple. Luckily these characters are played by Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds. Both of them are truly fantastic here fully bringing out the humanity and vulnerability behind these characters. Their performances constantly glue us to the screen, even with the slow pace. Another expected but important aspect for a film like this is the visual look. This movie very much captures the visual beauty of Amsterdam and after watching this film you will want to go there. Yet what really makes this movie work so well is the complexity of the main couple's relationship. I won't give much away, but what I loved about this movie is that there is not a right side or a wrong side in this relationship. Instead, these are simply two people, who view the world in completely different ways. There is no point where a character cheats on the other nor do they set out to intentionally hurt one another. Rather it is simply their extreme differences in worldviews that causes them to wonder if they are actually compatible. This makes the film all that much more moving, thought provoking and heartbreaking. 

This is a rare modern movie in which I think it should have been longer. 90 minutes is simply not enough time to tackle all the complex social matter that this movie wants to and because of this some of the most interesting ideas are not explored to the depth they should be. While the ending is supposed to be ambiguous, it instead comes off as rushed and abrupt.   

Despite any flaws though, this is an excellent movie.     

Movie Trailer: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea

 

Movie Trailer: Mortal Combat II

 

Movie Trailer: Scream 7

 

Movie Review: Redux Redux

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A wonderful sci-fi thriller. 

In this film a woman is traveling through each alternative universe in the multiverse. In each of these alternative universes she kills the man who killed her teenage daughter. She gets so caught up in revenge and violence that she starts to lose grip on her own humanity.  

It is no secret that by now the whole multiverse premise has been done to death. That makes it all the more impressive that this film was able to make it feel fresh. Much of this is due to how it approaches this familiar premise in a unique way. While most Multiverse movies show worlds that are drastically different from each other. However here the differences between these different universes are very miniscule to the point where it is difficult to tell the difference. This fits the story and themes of this film perfectly. It places our main character fully in a loop, repeating the exact same actions in nearly the exact same setting. We understand how with this she can get into the position of becoming completely dehumanized. The story also stands out from many other multiverse films as the sci-fi elements take a backseat to characters. This is first and foremost a character study. Both our main character and the teenage girl she befriends along the way are very well-developed characters who are more complex than your average heroes or villains. We find ourselves connecting extremely deeply with these characters, almost feeling that we know them as well as we know ourselves. The relationship between them is also incredibly well developed and at times even quite touching. 

This movie is also boosted a very strong villain, who is so incredibly real that is even more frightening than any supernatural monster we might see in a horror film. Also, heavily because of this character, the movie has one of the most intense and suspenseful climaxes I have seen in a new movie in quite a while. 

This is a top-notch film that I highly recommend.   

Cinecon Pop-Up Day at Old Town Music Hall

 

Exciting news for classic movie fans who will be in Southern California this March. The Cinecon Classic Film Festival is holding its second annual pop-up day on Saturday March 21 from 9:30am to 8:30pm. It will be held at my favorite place to watch movies El Segundo's Old Town Music Hall (140 Richmond St, El Segundo, CA 90245). 

For any of you who are not familiar with the Cinecon Classic Film Festival, it tends to focus on rare old movies and TV shows that are hard to find and many of which even the most dedicated film and TV buffs have never even heard of. There are also premieres new restorations of classic movies and special guests who are related to the films. This pop-up day is a small sampling of what a Cinecon film festival is, and all funds will go to support the festival as well as Old Town Music Hall. 

This year's pop-up day will begin with the Paramount short, Find What's Wrong (1938).

After this will be a rare comedy movie that hasn't been seen in decades, Two Gals and a Guy (1951). This movie stars Robert Alda, Janis Paige and James Gleason. It also boasts the film debut of actress Patty McCormack, who will be appearing at the event in person.

 Then comes a new restoration of the silent film, The Johnstown Flood (1926) starring George O'Brien and Janet Gaynor (the stars of F.W. Murnau's Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)).

After a lunch break is Sterling Yearian playing Old Town Music Hall's own 1925 Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ. This is followed by a new restoration of the classic Laurel and Hardy silent short, Big Business (1929).

Then comes a rare Paramount short film entitled Ted Husing's Television Preview (1940).

Afterwards is a 1960 episode of the classic TV western, The Rifleman. The episode features child actress Gigi Perreau, who will be at the event in person.  

Then comes a new restoration of the Tru-Color Roy Rogers western, Night Time in Nevada (1948). 

Afterwards is a new 2K restoration of the silent feature length movie, The Four Feathers (1929) starring William Powell, Richard Arlen and Fay Wray. 

The event ends with a new 4K restoration of House of Strangers (1949) starring Edward G. Robison and Susan Hayward. The film will be introduced by Kevin Schaeffer, the director of restoration and library management for the Walt Disney Company as well as Edward G. Robison's granddaughter, Francessca Robinson. 


If you wish to buy tickets for this event you can do so at Cinecon's Website.

 

Pre-Code Essentials: Must-See Cinema from Hollywood’s Untamed Era, 1930-1934 (2025)

 

Though it may not include the average person you pass on the street, Pre-code Hollywood has a surprisingly large and dedicated following. This era from 1930 to 1934, features many pure Hollywood classics that hold up massively well today. Some of these movies include such masterpieces as The Divorcee (1930), All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), Frankenstein (1931), I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932), Three on a Match (1932), Grand Hotel (1932), Golddiggers of 1933 (1933), King Kong (1933) and Baby Face (1933). In this book historians Kim Luperi and Danny Reid picked out 50 classic Hollywood films (including those previously listed) from this era and take a close look at them. Their critical looks at these movies help bring great insight that allows us to enjoy these films on a greater level.

The research into these films is even more incredible. One of the most prevalent myths about Pre-Code Hollywood is that there was no censorship whatsoever. While the production code was not strictly enforced at this time, filmmakers still had to answer to local and state censor boards. This book takes a very close and eye-opening look at the interactions between studios and censor boards. This is an area of film history I was aware of, but it turns out I only knew the surface of. You may go into this book thinking you know a lot about Pre-code Hollywood, but you will soon learn just how wrong this assumption is. 

This book also works because of the two authors' writing style. This book is very well written and articulate but at the same time breezy and unpretentious. This writing style can full engage film scholars while still being readable and fun for causal readers. 

This is a truly essential book for fans of classic movies.