One Life: Saving Jews During the Holocaust

One Life tells the story of how Sir Nicholas “Nicky” Winton played a role in saving many Jewish children during the Holocaust. Bleecker Street is handling the American release. Unlike Warner Bros.’ handling of the UK release (more in my interview with James Hawes), the press and marketing materials do not hide the fact that the refugees are predominantly Jewish. I’ve known about the Kindertransport for years. In fact, the Kindertransport would inspire Michael Bond…

"One Life: Saving Jews During the Holocaust"

Operation Mincemeat Is Stranger-Than-Fiction

Operation Mincemeat has the pedigree to draw viewer interest in this stranger-than-fiction true story of World War II events in 1943. I should warn you first and foremost that if subtitles are not your thing, this film will not be for you. While much of it is in English, there are a number of scenes that have subtitles on screen. The gist of the film is that the Allies are trying to put a stop…

"Operation Mincemeat Is Stranger-Than-Fiction"

The Dig: Carey Mulligan Is Phenomenal

The Dig is one of those pre-World War II films that is going to end up going under the radar but Carey Mulligan is phenomenal. Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan) is a widow living on a Sutton Hoo, Suffolk farm.  This farm just happens to be the home of a few burial mounds.  Could the mounds have a treasure buried inside?  This is what Edith suspects and she hires amateur archaeologist Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes) to…

"The Dig: Carey Mulligan Is Phenomenal"

Emma Falls Short Of Standards Held By Clueless

Emma is the fourth different feature film adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1815 novel to come to the big screen since Clueless was released in 1995. Anya Taylor-Joy delivers a strong turn as the title character with as much screen time as the film allows her.  Much like Regina in Mean Girls, Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy) is the “queen bee.”  She has no rivals.  Well, this seems like the case until she brings Miss Harriet Smith…

"Emma Falls Short Of Standards Held By Clueless"