All articles by David Kempler

This film set in the slums of Rio recalls 2002’s great “City of God” but never reaches the same heights of compelling storytelling.

This German dramedy tries too many twists and turns, but by its conclusion it still works.

This documentary on racism in the Dominican Republic against people of Haitian descent works on every level, and should be a contender for awards in 2020.

This documentary about the plight of a woman on Death Row is depressing not only for its subject matter but also because it’s one of a thousand similar tales.

Right actors. Wrong writing and/or direction. Hard to tell, and who cares?

This creepy sci-fi flick is a fun and uneasy watch.

Annie Silverstein’s debut is an understated buddy film that quietly lures you in.

Not as strong a group as in recent years, but “Saria” is the best and won’t win. “Brotherhood” is 2nd best and might win. “The Neighbor’s Window” is pretty good, but will probably win.

Russia’s entry for Best Foreign Film has a lot of things going for it, but I never got involved in it.

When the Soviet Union broke up, there was a rush to install crooked capitalism. Is there any other kind?