There have always been moviemakers who operated just outside the major studio spotlight; showmen, hucksters, exploiters working on small budgets. Before the advent of home video and the multiplex, they could sometimes be found hand-carrying their single print from one movie house to another. Post-World War II, many of them found small, survivable niches specializing …
Even up until the Venice Film Festival, Casey Affleck was sticking to his story that his new and crazy-looking documentary, “I’m Still Here” was the real deal; The story of up and coming actor Joaquin Phoenix’s seeming descent to a mumbling rapper. As of September 17th, Affleck has come forward and finally given up the …
“Enter The Void explores the contours of reality and screen representation, seemingly probing the very nature of existence. Its final, transcendent moments summate a unique experience and achievement…” Enter The Void Directed by Gasper Noé Ever since the notorious Irreversible prompted the dubious honor of causing the largest walkout in Cannes history back in 2002, …
In a recent interview, by the Hollywood Reporter’s Jay A. Fernandez, about playing Tommy in Mark Romanek’s Never Let Me Go, the new Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield, comments on how he feels taking on the role of the web slinging hero. “I have been waiting for this phone call for 24 years, for someone to call …
Kings Of Pastry Directed by Chris Hegedus D.A. Pennebaker (co-director) My biggest regret about going to see D.A. Pennebaker’s Kings of Pastry? Going in without eating first. There is food. Lots of it. Pretty food. Food that I would kill to be eating right now. The documentary tells the story of a group of French pastry …
“Zenith and its “transmedia” approach to storytelling could very well become an Internet phenomenon.” Zenith Directed by Vladan Nikolic Zenith requires a lot of explanation. The film is using a multi-platform approach to its release by transcending the traditional theatrical debut and extending into other media, primarily by encouraging audience interaction online. Unfortunately, as a …
“There’s much to admire about Rodney Evans’ meditation on homosexuality and the Harlem Renaissance. If only Brother to Brother didn’t feel so much like homework.” Brother to Brother Directed by Rodney Evans So well-intentioned is writer-director Rodney Evans’ debut film Brother to Brother that one is tempted to ignore its dramatic shortcomings. This was have …
Inspiration can be drawn from many a place and it seems the creators of Jack Goes Boating have taken that ideal in producing this soundtrack. Following the path of main character Jack trapped in an aimless New York City life, the soundtrack serves as the introduction and musical explanation of his character. Jack Goes Boating …
“Reid’s performance and the admittedly catchy music still make this a fun time at the movies on a purely escapist level.” Score: A Hockey Musical Directed by Michael McGowan Score: A Hockey Musical is about as Canadian as it can get. First off, it’s about hockey. Second off, writer/director Michael McGowan packs in as many …
Few directors are so involved in their films today as to write, direct, act and produce them, ultimately shaping and sculpting the perfect vision of the story and its accoutrements. Quentin Tarantino is, personally, at the top of that list and does so effortlessly. His uncanny ability to craft a film that is not only …
“A dead body has more spirit then you.” Pep Squad (1998) Directed by Steve Balderson With a wicked sense of humor and the surreal campy flavor of a pageant dad’s trophy room Pep Squad rah rah’s itself through a frenzy of high school traumas. Tackling the horrors of yearbook photos to school ground mass murders, …
Waiting for Armageddon Dir. Kate Davis (2010, USA, 74 mins.) Rapture, tribulation, millennialism, Armageddon – Director Kate Davis has her work cut out. Waiting for Armageddon attempts to shine light onto one of the most nebulous and convoluted social movements of recent history: Armageddon theology as prescribed by American Christian fundamentalists. Davis achieves this by …
“Worth recommending to fans of music, whether or not you are familiar with the workings of Broken Social Scene…” This Movie Is Broken Directed by Bruce McDonald Whether or not Bruce McDonald’s experiments in filmmaking are always successful, his passion and continued desire to push the limits of the medium in both form and content …
The Town Directed by Ben Affleck Gutsier and earthier than Clint Eastwood’s more celebrated Mystic River, Ben Affleck’s directorial debut Gone Baby Gone (also a Dennis Lehane adaptation) was not a perfect movie, but it signaled a feasible alternative career path for Ben Affleck, whose onscreen viability was on the decline thanks to a string …
Farewell is one of the best thrillers of the year.
The Town Directed by Ben Affleck Gutsier and earthier than Clint Eastwood’s more celebrated Mystic River, Ben Affleck’s directorial debut Gone Baby Gone (also a Dennis Lehane adaptation) was not a perfect movie, but it signaled a feasible alternative career path for Ben Affleck, whose onscreen viability was on the decline thanks to a string …
There are two timely justifications for revisiting the career of Clint Eastwood at this particular moment. The most obvious is the premiere of Eastwood’s latest directorial effort, Hereafter, at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month. The other is his appearance on the Beloit College Mindset List for the Class of 2014 which came …
The 48th annual New York Film Festival is fast approaching us on September 24th, filled with a rich variety of films that will surely appease everyone’s taste. From populous director David Fincher’s The Social Network to Shakespeare’s adapted The Tempest, this year’s festival will turn the heads of mainstream movie goers to theater buffs to …
There have been enough books and articles on Alfred Hitchcock and his work to fill a library wing. Doubtless little can be said here about one of the most examined careers in movies which hasn’t already been said several times over elsewhere. Still – and sadly, to those of us of a certain age — …
“A dead body has more spirit then you.” Pep Squad (1998) Directed by Steve Balderson With a wicked sense of humor and the surreal campy flavor of a pageant dad’s trophy room Pep Squad rah rah’s itself through a frenzy of high school traumas. Tackling the horrors of yearbook photos to school ground mass murders, …
The Last Exorcism is a well executed entry to the found footage movement
For those of you lucky enough to be attending this year’s Fantastic Fest, they’ve released a list of films and descriptions for their thirs wave of programming – and there are some big ones. PREMIERE SCREENINGS Agnosia (2010) Director: Eugenio Mira, Spain, World Premiere The producers of Pan’s Labyrinth and The Orphanage present a truly …
Fall is now upon us. With Labor Day upon us, that means it’s time to get the rake out and pass on those trick or treats. Football has replaced Baseball, although with the pennant race in full gear, important baseball is still to be played. I am glad I mentioned the word important because that …