Phillip Ruland

Brilliant, absorbing film that captures the beginnings of frontier life in a small town somewhere in North America. The dialogue seems almost improvised, the cinematography done in dark, grainy shades suggesting ominous things on the horizon. This film is truly the anti-western, nothing approaching sentimentality with the characters. No heroes, just the bustle of life with death on the doorstep.

Utter cinematic genius. Charlie Chaplin at the top of his game in City Lights. The boxing sequence has to be seen to be believed. My sides are still aching from the laughter. The last of the great film silents, full of farce and poignancy. Terrific performances from all the actors.

A mesmerizing, highly original documentation about a woman’s life in France, 1975. The lead actress who portrays Jeanne Dielman (Delphine Seyrig) is phenomenal. Her Jeanne Dielman is uncannily real. We follow her every move. “Jeanne Dielman” is an utterly absorbing film that gets at being and time and existing in a world with absurd limitations. Jeanne Dielman is both an heroic and tragic figure that leaves an indelible mark on the psyche. A definite must-see for any person that appreciates the rich possibilities of film.

“Before Midnight” is not as satisfying a film as its two predecessors “Before Sunrise” and “Before Sunset” but it’s still damn good. There’s something a little off about it and I think it has to do with Celine (Julie Delpy). The character, as written in this the third ‘Before’ installment, doesn’t follow from the previous two films. She (Celine) swerves wildly in different directions taking on a little madness of her own. I just didn’t buy it.