Queen Esther Goes to Hollywood
The pivotal moment is when Esther decides to come unbidden before the king.
She asks the eunuch Hegai for a chariot, but he refuses ...
24
Feb
09
Feb
Coloring Dictatorship
Film editor Dina Gold reviews the recent Latvian film “The Sign Painter.” The film won four awards at the Latvian National Film Festival.
12
Jan
Wonder Woman 1984: Who Is the True Villain?
Warning: The following contains spoilers for Wonder Woman 1984, now playing in theaters and streaming on HBO Max.
They say a he...
05
Jan
Israel’s 2021 Oscar Submission
Israeli director Ruthy Pribar describes her newly released debut feature film Asia as “not easy to watch,” but she hopes it conveys the message that “even when in the darkest part of your life, you can see beauty.”
17
Dec
Mank: A Heroic Tragedy With No Tragic Hero
No one enjoys looking in the mirror more than Hollywood, and no one does it better—as vastly entertaining show-biz movies like Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s All About Eve, Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood can all attest. Now comes Mank, David Fincher’s loving and atmospheric re-creation of 1930s Hollywood.
04
Dec
When Children Rescue Children
It’s a rare treat to discover a film that appeals across the generations, but The Crossing is a perfect example. This movie is true family-friendly storytelling. Set in 1942 Norway, during the third year of the German occupation, this is a particularly poignant and uplifting tale of ordinary youngsters rising to the challenge of rescuing Jewish children during a brutal period of history.
08
Sep
The Abandoned Jews of Ethiopia
Jews have lived in Ethiopia for centuries, but over the past decades, the majority have emigrated to Israel, most in the well-known airlifts of Operations Moses (1984) and Solomon (1991). Now some 140,000 are citizens. Those left behind in Addis Ababa and Gondar languish in dire conditions, vividly illustrated in the beautifully shot film.
03
Sep
ChaiFlicks: Jewish TV and Film on Demand
Moment brings you essential independent reporting from the Jewish community and beyond. But we need your help. Your support is critical...
23
Jul
Palm Springs: Build Your Own Palace in Time
Repetition mixed with monotony is not usually high up on Hollywood’s list of project themes, which is why Hulu’s Palm Springs was such a delightful surprise. The film stars Andy Samberg (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) and Cristin Milioti (How I Met Your Mother) as two apathetic California wedding guests who get stuck in a Groundhog Day-like time loop, forcing them to relive the couple’s special day over and over again. For a film that was shot in pre-coronavirus times, Palm Springs is surprisingly relevant.
30
Jun
Homage to a Master Drama Teacher
This film is an insightful view into the life of a little-known luminary, replete with wonderful archival footage (not only of pre-state Jerusalem but also of his and his wife’s mime performances), whose legacy would otherwise be unknown to almost all of us.