But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)

Apr 18, 2007 by Mr. Nau Despite a few laugh-out-loud moments and funny kitsch, this satirical farce comes off as a mean-spirited barrage of stereotypes. RuPaul cameos in an inexplicable role as an obviously gay ex-gay camp counselor. The story revolves around a cheerleader who is sent to reparative therapy by her parents. Grade: C-. […]

Yesterday (2004)

Apr 18, 2007 by Mr. Nau This slow-paced independent film acted entirely in Zulu tells the story of a young mother named Yesterday trying to walk miles to the nearby doctor to find out what ails her. A marvelous cast, beautiful camera work, and a first-rate script tell a poignant and heart-breaking story. Grade: A-. […]

Guinevere (1999)

Apr 15, 2007 by Mr. Nau Harper is a shy, young college graduate from a family of lawyers. She meets and becomes involved with a photographer, Connie, who nurtures her as an artist while giving her a sometimes cringeable level of drama. The acting performances are good, but the story lags a bit in some […]

Marian McPartland – Just Friends (1998)

Apr 12, 2007 by Mr. Nau Marian McPartland is famous for her long-standing NPR radio show, Piano Jazz. On this beautiful date, she plays timeless standards and original compositions with six piano legends, including Dave Brubeck, who plays with her on his composition named after her, and George Shearing, who joins her on Just Friends. […]

Band of Brothers (2001)

Apr 12, 2007 by Mr. Nau This stunning HBO mini-series follows the exploits of Easy Company, from basic training through the Invasion of Europe, in the most spectacularly realistic portrayal of World War II ever shown on television. The acting is first-rate, the sets are magnificent, and the action is gritty, raw, and utterly real. […]

Wide Sargasso Sea (1993)

Apr 10, 2007 by Mr. Nau The insanely beautiful Karina Lombard plays Antoinette, who inherits her mother’s estate in Jamaica in the 1840s. She marries an Englishman to retain her estate, where her mother’s former slaves seek to burn them out. While well-intentioned, this clunky and melodramatic romantic drama is mostly a tedious let down. […]

Dave Valentin – Come Fly With Me (2006)

Apr 10, 2007 by Mr. Nau Dave Valentin has a stupefying range, superb tone, and technique on the flute that warrants study and emulation. Unfortunately, on this outing, he seems to be phoning it in. The solos are uninspired and his piano player, Bill O’Connell, seems to be the best musician on this unexpectedly disappointing […]

Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser (1988)

Apr 08, 2007 by Mr. Nau Clint Eastwood directs this documentary about one of the most important musicians of the twentieth century, Thelonious Monk. We follow the span of Monk’s career, his descent into mental illness, and his phenomenal compositions. Lots of interviews with friends, band members, and colleagues paint a picture of this astonishing […]

Herbie Mann – Great Ideas of Western Mann (1957)

Apr 07, 2007 by Mr. Nau Herbie Mann was the first significant jazz artist to use the flute as his primary instrument. He also played reeds (clarinets and saxophones) as well. In this set, Herbie plays the bass clarinet, displaying the potential of this unique instrument in a magnificent way, with memorable performances on unforgettable […]

Buddy DeFranco – Cookin’ the Books (2004)

Apr 07, 2007 by Mr. Nau In this beautiful date, Buddy DeFranco joins the John Pizzarelli Trio in a set of standards and a pair of DeFranco compositions. Pizzarelli lends his vocal talent to two of the early tracks. The group is tight and, no matter how fast the tempo is, everyone sounds relaxed and […]

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