I got to see a screening of “Their Finest” at the Chicago European Union Film Festival yesterday. Perhaps because I am deep down still a Brit, I wrapped myself into its cozy, delectable blanket. However, the American audience that i joined also thoroughly enjoyed the viewing. Smiles were on their faces as they left the… Continue Reading
Paris Can Wait (2016)
Premiering last Summer at the Toronto International Film Festival, the pleasant fluff Paris Can Wait finally made it to Chicago last Friday. Octogenarian director Eleanor Coppola {Francis’s wife] was present for a pre-screening reception and post viewing discussion. Coppola becomes the oldest American director to make a debut feature film. Her prior efforts have focused… Continue Reading
Tell No One (2006)
This weekend I watched one of my favorite films, Tell No One (Ne le dis à personne) . Based upon a novel by American writer Harlan Coben, the movie takes place in France whereas the book’s story occurred in New York. The transfer of location helps add to the story. I write about this film… Continue Reading
The Sense of an Ending
I had the opportunity to screen this thought provoking film last week. I do not want to say too much at this times since I have assigned it to my film study group when it comes out on general release. The film requires patience from the viewer. Director Ritesh Batra [The Lunchbox] develops his characters… Continue Reading
Julieta
I apologize for the delay in posting on this film but I got sick right after viewing it. Because the film was based on three Alice Munro short stories rather than a pure Almodovar script the film had a different feel to it. The film did not flow well and it was unclear if that… Continue Reading
A Very Different Academy Award Ceremony
Perhaps an unusual difference with the Oscars tonight was that the major awards were spread out among the top three films: Manchester By The Sea winning Best Screenplay and Best Actor; La La Land winning Best Actress and Best Director and finally Moonlight winning Best Supporting Actor and Best Movie. The biggest surprise was watching… Continue Reading
Three Classics – Still Relevant
Over the past week I have watched three really heavy and depressing films. But all three were engrossing and magnificent filmmaking. Autumn Sonata (1978, 1h 38m, Director Ingmar Bergman se) and My Dinner With Andre (1981, 1h 50m, Directed by Louis Malle, fr).and The Unbearable Likeness of Being (1988, 2h 51m, Director Philip Kaufman us)… Continue Reading
2017 Award Nominations So Far
Writers Guild ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Hell or High Water, Written by Taylor Sheridan; CBS Films La La Land, Written by Damien Chazelle; Lionsgate Loving, Written by Jeff Nichols; Focus Features Manchester by the Sea, Written by Kenneth Lonergan; Amazon Studios/Roadside Attractions Moonlight, Screenplay by Barry Jenkins, Story by Tarell McCraney; A24 ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Arrival, Screenplay by Eric… Continue Reading
Fasten yourself in – Wild awards season coming
There is an important thing to remember about the Golden Globe Awards. The voters are all journalists of the Hollywood Foreign Press. There are a total of only 90 members in the organization. None of these members are working in the motion picture industry. There were two Golden Globe awards that shocked me tonight –… Continue Reading
Three Colors : Blue (1993)
One of my birthday gifts this year was a subscription to Filmstruck + Criterion Collection streaming channel. A great gift. Criterian provides the supplemental features that are normally only found on their discs. The first film I watched on the channel was Juliette Binoche in Blue. What an absolute joy. Binoche’s acting is marvelous. Once… Continue Reading