Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014; USA; DeLuxe; 102m) ∗∗∗ d. Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller; w. Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez; ph. Robert Rodriguez; m. Robert Rodriguez, Carl Thiel; ed. Robert Rodriguez. Cast: Josh Brolin, Eva Green, Mickey Rourke, Rosario Dawson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Ray Liotta, Juno Temple, Jeremy Piven, Michael Madsen, Jamie Chung, Jaime King, Dennis Haysbert, Crystal McCahill, Julia Garner. Some of Sin City’s most hard-boiled citizens cross paths with a few of its more reviled inhabitants. Visually impressive and stylistically violent follow-up lacks the originality of its predecessor in both approach and story. Green is the film’s best asset in an alluring performance. Based on he comic book by Frank Miller. Also shot in 3-D. [18]
Manhattan (1979; USA; B&W; 96m) ∗∗∗∗∗ d. Woody Allen; w. Woody Allen, Marshall Brickman; ph. Gordon Willis; m. George Gershwin; ed. Susan E. Morse. Cast: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Mariel Hemingway, Meryl Streep, Michael Murphy, Anne Byrne Hoffman, Tisa Farrow, Wallace Shawn, Karen Allen, David Rasche, Karen Ludwig, Michael O’Donoghue, Bella Abzug, Gary Weis. A divorced New Yorker currently dating a high-schooler brings himself to look for love in the mistress of his best friend instead. This classic is bittersweet, accurate and ultimately poignant and is framed by sumptuous cinematography and backed by the soaring music of Gershwin. Allen produces an insightful slice of New York life through the eyes of his characters. [15]