One Sentence Movie Reviews: "Legends of the Fall"

Legends of the Fall (1994): "Any movie with horses and a grand historical sweep this reviewer will invariably think is a metaphor for the American character."

Notes: I've been intrigued by director Ed Zwick's career since hearing an interview with him on KCRW's "The Treatment." May now work my way through his filmography, beginning with Defiance. 

One Sentence Movie Reviews: "A Serious Man"

A Serious Man (2009): "The most baffling thing about an already baffling universe is how to find happiness within it."

Notes: To my knowledge, the first Coen Brothers movie to contain overtly Jewish themes. Although it may very well be lapped by Michael Chabon's novel "Yiddish Policemen's Union" which the Coens have signed on to adapt.

One Sentence Movie Reviews: "Tape"

Tape (2001): "There is a great film festival awaiting us containing only movies that take place in a single room."

One Sentence Movie Reviews: "The Thief of Bagdad (1940)"

Thief of Bagdad (1940): "The lousy movie that inspired the better Aladdin."

Notes: Painful film #274 in my AFI 400 completion quest. 126 to go. Like passing a kidney stone.

One Sentence Movie Reviews: "Now, Voyager"

Now, Voyager (1942): "A great performance can seem all alone in a not so great movie or it can elevate it to its own level." 

Notes: Film #273 in my AFI 400 completion quest. 127 to go.

One Sentence Movie Reviews: "The Boy in The Striped Pajamas"

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008): "The murder of innocence usually begins with an agreed upon lie." 

One Sentence Movie Reviews: "The Purple Rose of Cairo"

The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985): "Woody Allen's best movies may be the one's he stars in but his most consistent (Radio Days, Sweet and Lowdown, Vicky Cristina Barcelona) are the ones where he does not."

Question: Which do you prefer?

One Sentence Movie Reviews: "Cabaret"

Cabaret (1972): "Life has to be a cabaret when your world is collapsing in front of you."

Seen: As part of my effort to complete the AFI 400. 271 films down, 129 to go.

One Sentence Movie Reviews: "The Great Ziegfeld"

The Great Ziegfeld (1936): "I am a few too many years and culture iterations removed from the life of Mr. Ziegfeld to understand why it justifies 3 hours and 15 minutes of screen time." 

Seen: As part of my effort to see the entire AFI 400. 270 films down, 130 to go.

One Sentence Movie Reviews: "500 Days of Summer"

500 Days of Summer (2009): "Those who know love is unpredictable will find it intoxicating. Those who wish it were will find it maddening."