Recommendations you can check.
Monetary economist, emeritus professor at Bentley University, and author of the blog TheMoneyIllusion.
19 things
About Dry GrassesOther Nuri Bilge Ceylan
About Dry Grasses (Turkey, CC) 3.9 This is my favorite film directed by Ceylan, and that’s high praise. At times it feels like a long Russian novel. Engrossing from beginning to end, despite its 3¼ hour length. This one also could have been entitled “Evil Does Not Exist”.
His quarterly round-up of every film he watched, each with his own numeric rating and a short verdict.
2024-07-03·themoneyillusion.com ↗
Evil Does Not ExistOther
Evil Does Not Exist (Japan) 3.7 This is turning out to be an outstanding year for Japanese films. As is so often the case with films from Asia, it begs to be seen on the big screen. Hard to summarize—imagine if Apichatpong Weerasethakul had directed Local Hero. Warning—his films always start slow, and build to a strong second half.
His quarterly round-up of every film he watched, each with his own numeric rating and a short verdict.
2024-07-03·themoneyillusion.com ↗
Identification of a WomanOther
Identification of a Woman (Italy, 1982, CC) 3.8 Critics often point out various flaws in Antonioni films, but I’d rather focus what he does so well. He’s one of those directors that appeal to serious film buffs because the visuals are so brilliantly constructed. (Tarkovsky, Ozu, Kairostami, Hou Hsiao-hsien, and Wes Anderson are some other examples.)
His quarterly round-up of every film he watched, each with his own numeric rating and a short verdict.
2024-07-03·themoneyillusion.com ↗
LabyrinthsBook Jorge Luis Borges
I was most influenced by the essays in the book, and I ended up being attracted to the same sort of writers as Borges, mostly Anglo-American writers of 1820-1920.
Sumner answers an EconLog prompt to name his five favorite books; all five are fiction.
2019-12-25·econlib.org ↗
Tales of Land and SeaBook Joseph Conrad
It contains his best novellas, which I regard as his very best work.
Sumner answers an EconLog prompt to name his five favorite books; all five are fiction.
2019-12-25·econlib.org ↗
The Rings of SaturnBook W. G. Sebald
Its quasi-documentary style was increasingly in fashion at the time.
Sumner answers an EconLog prompt to name his five favorite books; all five are fiction.
2019-12-25·econlib.org ↗
My StruggleBook Karl Ove Knausgaard
It was the first book I ever read that had the feel of life as I experience it.
Sumner answers an EconLog prompt to name his five favorite books; all five are fiction.
2019-12-25·econlib.org ↗
The Thief CollectorOther
The Thief Collector (US) 3.6 This documentary on a pair of art thieves is extremely enjoyable, despite a somewhat clumsy execution in places. Surprising revelations keep popping up throughout its 100-minute running time.
His quarterly round-up of every film he watched, each with his own numeric rating and a short verdict.
2024-07-03·themoneyillusion.com ↗
Falling LeavesOther
Falling Leaves (Finland) 3.4 A characteristic Kaurismaki film. Like Wes Anderson, his films have a certain look and a sly sense of humor. Like Ozu, he makes the same film over and over again.
His quarterly round-up of every film he watched, each with his own numeric rating and a short verdict.
2024-07-03·themoneyillusion.com ↗
Beyond the Visible: Hilma af KlintOther
Beyond the Visible: Hilma af Klint (Germany, 2019, CC) 3.6 When thinking about the most overlooked female artist, Artemesia Gentileschi often comes to mind. This documentary makes a persuasive case for Hilma af Klint. To my eyes, her most appealing works are not the large scale abstractions, rather it’s the small Klee-like gems that stand out. Don’t assume that if you have seen a half dozen of her most famous works that you have any conception of her overall career.
His quarterly round-up of every film he watched, each with his own numeric rating and a short verdict.
2024-07-03·themoneyillusion.com ↗
State and MainOther
State and Main (US, 2000, CC) 3.6 Not quite top level Mamet, but consistently entertaining and full of great actors. Rebecca Pidgeon is especially outstanding, overshadowing even the great Philip Hoffman.
His quarterly round-up of every film he watched, each with his own numeric rating and a short verdict.
2024-07-03·themoneyillusion.com ↗
You Were Like a Wild ChrysanthemumOther
You Were Like a Wild Chrysanthemum (Japan, 1955, CC) 3.5 Chishu Ryu is one of my favorite actors, but he has a fairly small role. Very nice cinematography. Recommended for fans of nostalgia.
His quarterly round-up of every film he watched, each with his own numeric rating and a short verdict.
2024-07-03·themoneyillusion.com ↗
Dry SummerOther
Dry Summer (Turkey, 1964, CC) 3.5 I wasn’t sure I wanted to see a 50-year old Turkish film about farmers fighting over water rights. I did. There’s a reason Scorsese put this surprisingly entertaining film on his global cinema list.
His quarterly round-up of every film he watched, each with his own numeric rating and a short verdict.
2024-07-03·themoneyillusion.com ↗
Clouds of Sils MariaOther
Clouds of Sils Maria (Swiss/French, 2014, CC) 3.5 Very good acting and good enough screenplay (even if some of the themes seem a bit warmed over.)
His quarterly round-up of every film he watched, each with his own numeric rating and a short verdict.
2024-07-03·themoneyillusion.com ↗
The Tales of Edgar Allen PoeBook Edgar Allan Poe
I read this as a child, and liked it for the same reason that other young people like reading Poe.
Sumner answers an EconLog prompt to name his five favorite books; all five are fiction.
2019-12-25·econlib.org ↗
Hit ManOther
Hit Man (US) 3.5 Highly entertaining due to its killer plot. So why not a higher rating? I was disappointed that Linklater did so little with the plot—much of the execution (not all) is fairly bland. Where’s the style? As a comedy, it’s only OK. As film noir, it’s nowhere near as intense as Body Heat. It’s sort of Soderbergh-lite. And yet more people will like this one than any other film on my list, because of the great plot.
His quarterly round-up of every film he watched, each with his own numeric rating and a short verdict.
2024-07-03·themoneyillusion.com ↗
The Broken IceOther
The Broken Ice (China) 3.2 A few decades ago, I would have been more impressed by this film, which is roughly in the style of Jia Zhangke. Now it seems a bit derivative.
His quarterly round-up of every film he watched, each with his own numeric rating and a short verdict.
2024-07-03·themoneyillusion.com ↗
Coup de ChanceOther
Coup de Chance (France) 3.0 Full of tastefully done scenes filmed by Vittorio Storaro, but somewhat inert and lifeless. For a major director, Woody Allen has surprisingly little feel for the art of cinema—a fact that is usually covered up by his clever dialogue. Working in French he seems out of his comfort zone (or is it the subtitles?) The dialogue seems less sharp, more predictable.
His quarterly round-up of every film he watched, each with his own numeric rating and a short verdict.
2024-07-03·themoneyillusion.com ↗
ChallengersOther
Challengers (US) 2.6 Drove 30 minutes to the theater. Sat through 15 minutes of commercials and 15 more of loud in-your-face trailers. Then within 60 seconds I knew I had picked the wrong film. Unpleasant characters, phony “Hollywood” dialogue and a really annoying musical soundtrack.
His quarterly round-up of every film he watched, each with his own numeric rating and a short verdict.
2024-07-03·themoneyillusion.com ↗
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