mjx847 Reviews

A Serious Man (2009)

Universal but also particularly Jewish

[10/10 · 16 August 2016]

I think this film is just about perfect. Two pieces of advice: the Yiddish fable that is the prologue is, in my opinion, just there for atmosphere and fun. Enjoy it and forget it. The film takes place in Minnesota not Europe.

Two. Check out the Bonus feature on Yiddish and Hebrew words BEFORE you watch the film. Jews will know them. The rest of us won't.

Bottom line: this film will make you laugh and also make you think. However, there is no right way to "get" this film. One thing I do notice. The film is far more irreverent toward Judaism than "Hail Caesar" is about Catholicism. But then the Coens did not grow up Catholic. They grew up Jews! They know what they are being irreverent about while Catholicism is, to them, more exotic and even spiritual. From a distance.

Paradise Now (2005)

Amazing thriller. Unbiased too.

[10/10 · 6 November 2005]

This film about Palestinian suicide bombers is, above all else, a fine suspenseful film that also looks terrific. The actors are superb. But it also provides real insight on how Palestinians view the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is not pro-terror. In fact, it is essentially a call for peace. But, unlike most films on the subject, it recognizes that there are two sides to the conflict. I have one objection to the IMDb listing on the location where the film was shot. The internationally accepted term for the West Bank city is Nablus, Palestine. Only Israeli settlers would call it Shechem, Israel. Anyway, great movie. I can see why it is such a hit in Tel Aviv and Haifa.