America’s Film Legacy
America’s Film Legacy 2009-2010
Category Archives: New Releases
The Secret: Dare to Dream—Elevating the Hallmark formula
Good intentions ooze throughout The Secret: Dare to Dream, a high-toned drama about a widow searching for happiness in the suburbs of New Orleans. Given that the widow’s Katie Holmes, a veteran of melancholy soap operas, The Secret offers plush … Continue reading
Posted in New Releases, Streaming
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Rebuilding Paradise review: After the Fire
The Camp Fire on November 8, 2018, claimed 85 victims and destroyed nearly all of Paradise, California. Rebuilding Paradise, a new documentary from director Ron Howard, follows the community through a year-long recovery period. Best known for commercial blockbusters like … Continue reading
Posted in Documentary, New Releases
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14th Japan Cuts surveys Japanese cinema
The 14th annual Japan Cuts Festival of New Japanese Film opens in an online edition starting today, July 17. The largest festival devoted to Japanese film in North America, Japan Cuts has built a tradition of providing viewers New Yorkers … Continue reading
Posted in Asian, Awards, Film Festivals, New Releases
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The Outpost: Restaging the Battle of Kamdesh
An intense account of a harrowing Taliban attack in 2003, The Outpost treats its characters with reverence. Adapting Jake Tapper’s nonfiction book The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor, director Rod Lurie aims for authenticity as well, adding some … Continue reading
Posted in Action, New Releases, Streaming
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My Spy review: Dave Bautista is better than his new action-comedy
Ten years ago Dave Bautista transitioned from wrestling to acting, appearing as assorted thugs and heavies (“Brass Body,” Drug Dealer #1,” etc.) before nailing his role as Drax in four Marvel blockbusters. Since then he’s followed a route taken by … Continue reading
Posted in Action, Comedy, New Releases, Streaming
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Irresistible review: Misjudging the moment
Jon Stewart loves to make fun of things, and over the years he’s done a pretty good job at it. People, places, politics, they’re all fair game, and to prove he’s in on the joke, he will often make himself … Continue reading
Posted in New Releases, Politics, Streaming
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Assayas on Wasp Network: Spies and counter-spies
Filmmaker Olivier Assayas spent six months in Cuba making Wasp Network, his version of a real-life incident involving the “Cuban Five,” agents and counteragents who were either aiding or subverting anti-Castro activists in Florida. The complicated storyline led to an … Continue reading
Posted in New Releases, Streaming, Uncategorized
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My Darling Vivian: Unearthing a hidden past
Johnny Cash burned through personalities on his journey to cultural icon. Tenant farmer, Air Force cadet, rockabilly pioneer, country superstar, actor, drug addict, homewrecker, uber-patriot, teetotaler, elder spokesman, The Man in Black played out his messy, contradictory life largely in … Continue reading
Posted in Biopic, Documentary, New Releases, Uncategorized
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Hammer: Fleeing a botched drug deal
Given its constraints, Hammer does what it’s supposed to do. A gritty film noir about petty crooks on the US/Canadian border, it builds a persuasive sense of desperation despite minimal sets and an obviously tight budget. Speeding by at a … Continue reading
Posted in Action, New Releases, Streaming
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The Painter and the Thief probes a puzzling crime
Striving for objectivity in documentaries is an impossible goal. Every creative choice is subjective, from equipment to lighting and composition. Deciding what to cover may be the most subjective choice of all, and the dynamic between documentarian and subject is … Continue reading
Posted in Documentary, Film Festivals, New Releases, Streaming
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