Tim Jackson
‘Tis the pre-Oscar season, but you might pause for some uncommon documentaries on the arts, sports, or farming. And take in one great revival.
In his book “Ferocious Reality,” Eric Ames offers an insightful, well organized, and readable study of Werner Herzog’s documentary work that explores the director’s earliest films as well as his most recent ones.
Sophisticates may recoil at the deliberate symbolism and guileless self-assurance of “Life of Pi.” But this is a fable of storytelling, faith, spirituality, and coming of age whose sympathies are clear and strong, couched in visuals of such extraordinary artistry that the experience of watching it is intoxicating.
Two impressive documentaries deal with the trials and tribulations of old age and the history of dance in Israel.
Each film demonstrates a distinct female sensibility as well as a strong and unique stylistic vision.
School is in full session, family holidays are looming, a nail biting election is imminent (or past), but films are up to the challenge, whether you are looking for art or escape. The Boston Jewish Film Festival brings 45 films to 10 Boston area locations, B.U.and UMass host free film screenings with filmmaker talk backs, Harvard offers a classy horror flick, the ICA has commercials, and there are shorts galore.
“The Sessions” quietly and lovingly engages humor, philosophy, sexuality, and spirituality to create a poetic meditation on the nature of physical love and emotional connection.
Director Paul Thomas Anderson doesn’t provide answers nor does he pose questions: the ambiguity of his characters and his confounding storytelling style are what drive “The Master.”
The month features a number of ambitious film festivals and the predictable cinematic excursions, classy and crass, into the spooky.
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