School of Rock

Jack Black poses as a substitute teacher and teaches his 10-year-old prep school charges to rock.   At first glance this doesn’t look like a must-see.   But then you notice that it is directed by Linklater, who gave us ‘Waking Life’, one of the most original films, and written by Mike White, who wrote and starred in the alarming ‘Chuck and Buck’.   ‘School of Rock’ is utterly mainstream and very, very funny indeed.   The kids are great, as is Black’s interplay with them.

--Oct 6, 2003  

Lost in Translation

Sofia Coppola follows ‘The Virgin Suicides’ with another strong film.   Nuanced performances from Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as a movie star and a young wife (not his) adrift in the Tokyo nightlife.   Coppola deftly portrays their unusual relationship.

--Sep 23, 2003

Matchstick Men

I recommend Scott’s ‘Matchstick Men’ which stars Nicolas Cage as an obsessive-compulsive con-man who discovers that he has a 14-year-old daughter (Alison Lohman).   The more you think about the film, the more you appreciate how well done it is, especially the performances, which are particularly crucial to this movie working.   Scott's most moving film.   

--Sep 17, 2003

The Magdelene Sisters

I recommend ‘The Magdelene Sisters’, a film about the Magdalene asylums in Ireland where, up until 1996, “morally wayward” girls and women were sent to work in the laundries as penance for imagined transgressions.   Apparently more than 30,000 women spent time in these cruel institutions.   Directed by Peter Mullan, who gave such a powerful performance in ‘My Name is Joe’.   Further to recommend the film is that I understand it has been strongly criticized by the Vatican.

--Sep 8, 2003  

American Splendor

I recommend ‘American Splendor’, a film about the crusty Harvey Pekar and titled after the comic book he authors chronicling his everyday life as a file clerk in Cleveland.   I became acquainted with the ‘American Splendor’ series in the mid-90s.   The film captures its feel.   Interesting in the often overlapping ways that various Harveys are presented: the real Pekar, an actor playing him (Paul Giamatti in a good performance), cartoon Harveys, actors playing actors performing a stage version of ‘Splendor’.

--Sep 3, 2003