Movie Pet Monday: ‘Tracks’

Our December Movie Pet Mondays head down under, as we found another film based on an incredible true story: the moving and inspirational “Tracks”.  (December 3rd film: “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale” (2009)) “Tracks” (2013) – “I’m the first to admit I’m remarkably unqualified for such a hazardous undertaking, but this is precisely the point of my journey. I’d like to think an ordinary person is capable of anything.” – Robyn Davidson (Mia Wasikowska) Robin Davidson is a blonde, fair-skinned early 20-something, who “simply” decides to take on an unbelievable 1,700 mile…

10 Quirky Comedies: ‘Frances Ha’

“Frances Ha!” (2013) – Frances (Greta Gerwig) is a genuine soul. This 20-something New York City bohemian simply loves what she loves, and her roommate Sophie (Mickey Sumner) and dancing are the objects of her affection.  They have been best friends since college, and they share all their secrets, commiserate about bad sex with old boyfriends, play backgammon, and play-fight.  Play-fight?  Apparently, play-fighting is really “fun”, and the occasional fake tussle is part of their routine. What are best friends for? When Frances isn’t plotting – with Sophie – to take…

‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ carries visual thrills and missed opportunities

“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” – The marketing department behind the Star Wars franchise must be brilliant.  With billions of dollars in tickets sold over eight films (including “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016)), hired advertising suits certainly know the cinematic beats that will attract their audience.  On the other hand, Star Wars probably does not need a marketing department at all, because after George Lucas’s visionary masterstroke arrived in 1977, fans bought into his wondrous space opera and the films that followed, and rightfully so! Well, as writer/director…