There once was a time in the not-too-distant cinematic past when the world was still largely undiscovered, and areas of the planet were a mystery to modern man. What beasts lived on these islands? What creatures were in these jungles? … Continue reading THE LOST WORLD
2014 marks the centenary for one of cinema’s most important faces and minds, Charlie Chaplin. Kid Auto Races at Venice debuted on Feb. 7, 1914, ran 11 minutes and introduced the world to The Little Tramp. On May 4, 1914, Chaplin stepped … Continue reading LIMELIGHT
Fading Gigolo begins in a truly unexpected fashion: a pimp and his ho discussing business while packing up a used bookstore. The pimp, Murray (Woody Allen), offhandedly mentions that his dermatologist, Dr. Parker (Sharon Stone), and her friend, Selima (Sofía Vergara), are … Continue reading FADING GIGOLO
Since 1994, Pierre Dulaine, the subject of the 2013 documentary Dancing in Jaffa, has run the program Dancing Classrooms, which teaches fifth graders the fundamentals of ballroom dance. The program teaches more than just footwork; it teaches the students elegance, manners, good … Continue reading DANCING IN JAFFA
1959: Fourteen years after the war ended and five years before The Beatles played The Ed Sullivan Show, the cinema started to go democratic. Cameras were smaller, weighed less, and were cheaper, thereby allowing independent directors to make movies they wanted to … Continue reading Film/STILL 1959
Paradoxical.” “Bold.” “Mysterious.” “Eccentric.” “Private.” Five words to describe the subject of the new documentary Finding Vivian Maier. Who was Vivian Maier? A maid and nanny for families in the Chicago area. Why is everyone talking about her? Because Maier was arguably … Continue reading FINDING VIVIAN MAIER
Every decade, the British Film Institute conducts its Sight and Sound poll of the Greatest Movies Ever Made. In 2012, the top two films were familiar: Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo and Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane, but third was a dark horse: Yasujirô Ozu’s 1953 masterpiece, Tokyo Story. If … Continue reading TOKYO STORY (東京物語)
Michael J. Cinema 