film reviews | film reviews
Nov.21.2012
LINCOLN a film review by Jeanne Powell
Director Stephen Spielberg’s Oscar-worthy film is adapted from historian Doris Kearns Goodwin’s 2005 best-seller, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. Tony Kushner’s screenplay is ambitious and successful with a difficult...
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Nov.02.2012
FLIGHT a film review by Jeanne Powell
Denzel Washington delivers a fascinating performance as a troubled airline pilot in “Flight.” This film, directed by Robert Zemeckis, has Oscar™ nomination written all over it.
Washington initially trained for the stage with the American Conservatory...
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Oct.31.2012
CLOUD ATLAS a film review by Jeanne Powell
“Cloud Atlas” is a work of mind-bending fiction turned into a somewhat intriguing film, with lots of star power. At nearly three hours in length, the film is uneven and too long.
British author David Mitchell’s popular novel, published in 2004...
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Sep.17.2012
ARBITRAGE a film review by Jeanne Powell
For billionaire Robert Miller (Richard Gere), life is working well. Every time he enters a room, he is reminded of how good power feels – in his palatial home, in his corporate office, inside the best restaurants in New York. Just a few...
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Sep.11.2012
THE WORDS a film review by Jeanne Powell
An intriguing surprise awaits the viewer of “The Words,” first screened at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. A multi-layered story line which keeps you interested features characters who speak without profanity, conversation instead of violence,...
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Jun.18.2012
Book-to-film has always been a tricky transformation. Ignoring those results that are laughable and those that are down right rotten, the better efforts tend to fall into several categories, depending upon the nature of the books and the vision of the directors. At their best, they...
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Jun.12.2012
FOR GREATER GLORY a film review by Jeanne Powell
For Greater Glory is a strange mix of fact and fiction, with lots of gloss and plenty of filters. It has brief moments but ultimately descends into a puddle of petty propaganda.
The Cristero War in Mexico (1926-1929) is obscure to most...
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Jan.16.2012
THE IRON LADY a film review by Jeanne Powell
British prime minister Margaret Thatcher portrayed by Meryl Streep, yes – who else? Another bravura performance by one of the four greatest living film actresses in the western world. Compelling performances also are delivered by Jim...
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Jan.10.2012
MAD MONEY a film review by Jeanne Powell
In bringing “Mad Money” to the screen, director Callie Khouri introduces us to a script based on a true story. Knowing that this landmark heist happened in England, and that it was pulled off by three women in working-class jobs, armed only with their wits,...
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Jan.10.2012
New Year's Eve a film review by Jeanne Powell
What can I say about this holiday season romantic comedy, which has too many stars and too little plot? Well, there are a couple of good things, so read on.
Director Gary Marshall gave us “Pretty Woman” in 1990 and a host of television comedies,...
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