Alan Rapp

On the Basis of Sex

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: On the Basis of Sex
  • IMDb: link

On the Basis of Sex movie reviewOn the Basis of Sex examines Ruth Bader Ginsburg‘s (Felicity Jones) road from one of only a handful of women granted entry into Harvard to arguing a landmark decision in front of the US Court of Appeals, while fighting sexual discrimination in some form or another every step of the way.

Broken into two parts, the film examines the discrimination and struggles Ruth went through both in college and as a graduate unable to find any firm interested in hiring a female litigator. While there’s plenty about the woman’s life left untold, such as the span and scope of her career following these events, the film spends quite a bit of time on Ginsburg’s family life and personal struggles which dovetails into the larger themes of the script allowing for the plot to climax in Ginsbrug’s argument before the US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in the first case of her career. Jones proves to be the movie’s greatest strength, handling a complex range of emotions over the course of the film leading to Ginsburg’s big moment and, as the film frames it, finding her purpose.

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Buffalo Boys

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Buffalo Boys
  • IMDb: link

Buffalo Boys movie reviewAlthough only the first scene of Buffalo Boys takes place in the Old West, there’s never a doubt that Singapore’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Film in the 91st Academy Awards is a western through and through. The film tells the story of two brothers (Yoshi Sudarso and Ario Bayu) raised in exile in America who return home to Java with their uncle (Tio Pakusadewo) to avenge their father’s death and bestow some justice to the Dutch oppressors led by the villainous Van Trach (Reinout Bussemaker).

While far from the most polished or original tale, Buffalo Boys proves to be an entertaining mix of marital arts and western themes. On the return home, the family comes across a village whose rebellious daughter (Pevita Pearce) will get wrapped up in their plans leading to the brothers standing against an army of Van Trach’s men in the middle of town.

The final product could have been helped by the addition of more traditional wide-sweeping landscape shots and some tighter storytelling in spots, but it certainly hits the mark in old-school justice themes and in its extended gunfight that, of course, starts with a showdown on Main Street.

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Action Comics #1006

/ / Comics

Action Comics #1006 comic reviewThere’s a moment in Action Comics #1006, a single page of panels from artist Ryan Sook, that gets to the heart of Superman by elegantly showcasing his compassion, nobility, and gravitas. On a single page writer Brian Michael Bendis delivers what was lacking in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel (and the subsequent DC movies) – Superman’s humanity. This is a hero.

The latest issue continues the “Invisible Mafia” arc as underground gangsters hope to stay under the Man of Steel’s radar while Superman comes into conflict with Red Cloud who attacks Superman’s new pal Melody Moore and is met not by malice by from Metropolis’ hero, but a sincere offer of help. This is a hero.

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