My Left Foot (1989)

Apr 26, 2007 by Mr. Nau Daniel Day-Lewis stars in the autobiography of Christy Brown, an Irish writer who detailed his experience growing up with cerebral palsy and learning to function. A talented cast tells the Oscar-winning story, but the slow pace of the picture made it seem like it was made for TV. Grade: […]

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)

Apr 25, 2007 by Mr. Nau In 2001, the Enron accounting irregularities made national headlines in what turned out to be the largest corporate bankruptcy in American history. This extraordinary documentary shows the history of the company, the way it profited off the California energy crisis, and the way it screwed its own employees and […]

Like Water For Chocolate (1992)

Apr 24, 2007 by Mr. Nau A rich, sensual family drama centers around young Tita, her domineering and hateful mother, her unrequited love, and her ability to create emotional experiences with food. The pace of the story is glacial at times, the tone is warm and sensual, and the scope is huge, spanning over 40 […]

Glory (1989)

Apr 23, 2007 by Mr. Nau We follow the exploits and difficulties of the 54th Massachusetts in the American Civil War from the unit’s inception to the heroic attack on Fort Wagner. An exceptional cast bring this magnificent epic to life. Wonderful performances and a reasonably accurate script show us an important part of American […]

Buddy DeFranco meets the Oscar Peterson Quartet – Hark (1985)

Apr 23, 2007 by Mr. Nau Buddy DeFranco teams up with the Oscar Peterson Quartet on this beautiful set of tunes that include standards and originals. Most of the songs here are relatively unknown, but it’s still a satisfying and wonderfully listenable outing. Peterson, DeFranco, and guitarist Joe Pass draw consistenly brilliant performances from each […]

Meet the Robinsons (2007)

Apr 23, 2007 by Mr. Nau This unexpectedly smart animated adventure is a visual smorgasbord, full of intricate little details and amazing computer-generated animation. A story that could easily have devolved into silliness maintains a subtle sophistication with effective jokes and hilarious action. Some overdone sappiness lingers too long, but doesn’t ruin a fun flick. […]

Buddy DeFranco – Lush Life (2005)

Apr 22, 2007 by Mr. Nau Buddy DeFranco joins forces with jazz accordionist, Gordie Fleming, on this unusual set of songs that mainly features the compositions of producers Rob Adams and Alan Baculis. The songs are interesting, the playing is solid (especially the surprise of uptempo solos on the accordion), and the composition is quite […]

The Dancer Upstairs (2002)

Apr 19, 2007 by Mr. Nau John Malkovich makes his directorial debut at the helm of an intriguing political crime drama, centered around a police detective trying to find the center of a terrorist revolutionary cell in Latin America. The superbly intelligent script provides plenty of surprises and the cast brings the story magnificently to […]

The Thin Red Line (1998)

Apr 19, 2007 by Mr. Nau Full of gritty realism, shockingly authentic battle scenes, and poetic moments of pastoral music and philosophical music, this epic World War II picture chronicles the Battle of Guadalcanal. This picture is huge in scope with a superb all-star cast and shows how brutal war is, without demonizing the enemy. […]

High Art (1998)

Apr 18, 2007 by Mr. Nau This gritty, powerful drama brings us into the world of a famous photographer, a young assitant editor, and a seductive world of drugs and debauchery that swirls around them all. The acting is understated but completely real, the story is well-written, and the tone is grungy and sublimely pained. […]

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