‘Frida’: Gutierrez’s documentary thoughtfully paints an intimate look at this influential icon

“Frida” (2024) – Director Carla Gutierrez’s documentary about one of the most memorable 20th-century artists – Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderon (a.k.a. Frida Kahlo), universally known for her self-portraits – should enlighten broad audiences, those who deeply know her work and Frida novices who may have seen “Self-Portrait with Monkey” once on a 2” by 2” magnet at a flea market. The film chronologically markets Ms. Kahlo’s life (1907 – 1954) from her days as a toddler in 1910 to her passing in 1954.  Gutierrez and her team’s conventional…

‘Dune’ is a spectacular, procedural exercise, but ‘Dune: Part Two’ burns more calories

“Dune: Part Two” (2024) – “It’s been a while since you’ve had one of those nightmares,” Chani (Zendaya) says and asks, “Tell me, what was it about?” “It’s only fragments.  Nothing’s clear,” Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) replies. This exchange opens Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Dune: Part Two, Official Trailer 3”, and director/co-writer Denis Villeneuve’s dream project – his science fiction cinematic vision adapted from Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel – continues in theatres on Feb. 29, 2024, more than a while since his first film’s release on Oct. 22, 2021.  Well, it’s…

‘The Zone of Interest’ holds us captive to a haunting, surreal perspective of The Holocaust

“The Zone of Interest” (2023) – “Bye, bye, Daddy.” – Hedwig (Sandra Huller) The morning arrives, and Rudolf (Christian Friedel) prepares for his workday, possibly a Monday. He climbs on his horse and will move through an open gate, as his workplace is adjacent to his home, separated by only a wall.  While holding their infant, Hedwig casually throws out the affable goodbye, adieu, or tschüss, tschüss to Rudolf. Rudolf and Hedwig Hoss are not an ordinary suburban couple living in Chandler, Ariz. or Orlando, Fla.  It’s 1943, and the…