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Author Archives: Ross Birks
Grey Gardens (1975)
As far as slices of life go, Grey Gardens is especially bizarre. An eccentric little film about two eccentric ladies, it brings to mind that line in Pulp Fiction: “Just because you are a character, doesn’t mean you have character”. Well, both Big … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews
Tagged Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Grey Gardens
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The Actor’s Movie: Tootsie (1982)
Last year, Tootsie was voted the greatest film of all time by a handful of actors and I thought it was a refreshing choice for the top spot. There’s clearly something about this movie that resonates with actors, that speaks to them and showcases … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews
Tagged Bill Murray, Charles Durning, Dustin Hoffman, Geena Davis, Jessica Lange, sydney pollack, Terri Garr, Tootsie
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In a World… (2013)
A joyous and idiosyncratic directorial debut from Lake Bell. The great pleasure of In a World… comes from it’s setting in the world of voice-acting. Carol Sotto (Bell) is a vocal coach looking to get into doing voice-overs for movies. … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews
Tagged Fred Melamed, In a World..., Lake Bell, Rob Corddry
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Sympathy for the Parasite: Shivers (1975)
“Roger, I had a very disturbing dream last night. In this dream I found myself making love to a strange man. Only I’m having trouble you see, because he’s old… and dying… and he smells bad, and I find him … Continue reading
Night Tide (1961)
Night Tide walks the tightrope between B-movie and arthouse sensibilities with varying degrees of success. The atmosphere drips off of the film. It’s vision of spooky seaside loneliness certainly registers and the black and white photography feels very much of … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews
Tagged Curtis Harrington, dennis hopper, Night Tide
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Excellence vs. Excess: Ben Wheatley’s High-Rise (2016)
Early on in High-Rise, Dr. Robert Laing (Tom Hiddleston) demonstrates the dissection of a human skull by tearing the face off of a severed head. This being a Ben Wheatley movie, we see the moment in glorious detail: flesh, muscle … Continue reading
Loving Memory (1970)
Twelve years before he made his debut good and proper with The Hunger, Tony Scott directed this little-seen British art film. Beyond a knack for composing striking frames, you’d be hard pushed to guess the two movies came from the … Continue reading
Vixen (1968)
Vixen a.k.a. Russ Meyer’s Nymphomaniac. Everyone remembers Meyer movies for the T and A but the guy really was an impressive filmmaker, especially where editing and rhythm is concerned. His movies dance and boogie with genuine zest and vigour. I’ve … Continue reading
American Ultra (2015)
Came for the dopey high-concept and the actors. Works for about two thirds then becomes a tad brain-numbing and formulaic. I’m all for splatty violence but something about it here just didn’t sit right with me. Eisenberg is fine but … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews
Tagged American Ultra, jesse eisenberg, Kristen Stewart
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"This Film Should Be Played Loud" 