Film Reviews

Film Review: The Gatekeepers– another in a series of film reviews by film critic Jean Oppenheimer

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The Gatekeepers is one of the most remarkable and important films ever made about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israeli director Dror Moreh’s riveting documentary looks at the long-running dispute through the eyes of six individuals whose authoritative views and voices are unimpeachable: the six men who led the nation’s domestic intelligence service, Shin Bet (akin to America’s FBI), from 1980 to 2011. The significance and power of The Gatekeepers, therefore, lies not only in the message being communicated but also in who the messengers are. While…

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A special interview with Michael Apted, creator of the Up series

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                    Director Michael Apted sat down with film critic Jean Oppenheimer, on behalf of Writers Bloc Presents to talk about 56 Up, the latest installment in his groundbreaking documentary series. He started the conversation by confessing, “I never know what the new film is going to be until I see it with an audience.” WritersBlocpresents.com:  Not even while editing it? Michael Apted:  I know each individual life but, until I see the completed film with an…

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Film Review: The Other Son

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Another in a series of film reviews by film critic Jeannie Oppenheimer. Autumn in Hollywood signals the start of awards season, when studios and film companies release their more adult, intelligent, quality films (which is not to say there weren’t some real gems earlier in the year, most notably Beasts of the Southern Wild, Moonlight Kingdom and the French film The Intouchables). Argo, which opened two weeks ago, is bound –- deservedly –- for Oscar gold.  With its seamless intertweaving of drama, suspense and humor,…

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