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Film Review
To Stream Or Not To Stream, Volume One
“Buddy Films”
Time is limited, choices are many. When contemplating whether to stream or not to stream, one must choose wisely. These micro-reviews might help!
Volume One — “Buddy films” are perilously close to romantic comedies and they are the theme for this first set of micro-reviews.
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A Real Pain (2024) — There’s a special place in my heart for modest films which zero in on one thing and then excel at that. This is a bittersweet story about the imbalances and contradictions contained in a relationship between cousins, who are linked by the dying wish of their grandmother. Jesse Eisenberg’s second film takes place on the road, using the simple plot device of a holocaust tour’s itinerary to drive the narrative. Beautifully filmed and edited with a light touch to showcase a chemistry between leads that feels genuine and unforced, with moments that are truly moving. It’s as if Planes, Trains And Automobiles was set in a world like Everything Is Illuminated but with a far superior finish.
Janet Planet (2023) — “An invitation to be present.” Playwright Annie Baker’s screen debut is marked…
