I saw 45 Years for the 4th time in as many months last night. Each time I am engrossed by the superb acting from both of the lead characters. It is indeed understated which is what makes it so special. So much is expressed in the nuances of a facial expression or a slight change… Continue Reading
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise
As each of the film awards were announced at the Golden Globes I kept hearing Gomer Pyle’s classic exclamation in my head. It was really good to see so many winners genuinely shocked at winning beginning with the very first presentation to Kate Winslet for her performance in Steve Jobs. Winslet told reporters backstage that… Continue Reading
EE BAFTA Film Nominations Announced
It is 1:45 a.m. here in Chicago and the EE BAFTA film awards have just been announced. The full list is available here. Notables: Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara of Carol, will not compete against each other with Mara nominated for Supporting Actress. Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years, was apparently knocked out of consideration for best… Continue Reading
Chi-Raq Makes Point Through Excellent Filmmaking.
Spike Lee provides a cinematic feast in the way he presents his messages in CHI-RAQ. A narrative written mostly in verse that is direct with a combination of serious barbs, sarcasm and blunt rhetoric. The film is presented in the form of a play in a phantasmagoric style, with costume changes, simultaneous events that stretch… Continue Reading
Youth (2015)
For me this film is the “sleeper of the year.” It is so beautiful and moving and rings so true even through its allegories and metaphors. Themes include aging, friendship, self-worth. failed marriages and human interaction. The film has superb camerawork with fantastic scenery shots and expressive, emotional facial shots. Michael Caine tells so much… Continue Reading
Joy (2015)
The one thing that this film does not give its viewers is “joy”. I rarely want to walk out of a movie before it ends. It took every ounce of willpower I had to stay until the end of this one. From the beginning, the continuity editing was off. The film editing in general was… Continue Reading
Foreign Language Oscar List Narrowed
The list of foreign language films in contention for next year’s Academy Awards has been further whittled down. Nine films have progressed to the next stage of voting in next year’s foreign language Oscar competition, selected from the 80 considered eligible. The list now includes The Brand New Testament (Belgium), Embrace of the Serpent (Colombia),… Continue Reading
Filmstock Resurgence for the Holidays
The debate of what medium to use for shooting films seems to be quietly reappearing with some top releases of 2015. In February major film studios, Disney, Fox, Paramount, Sony, NBC Universal and Warner Bros all pledgde to continue buying filmstock from Kodak. The company proceeded to make similar deals with independent film studios. Among… Continue Reading
From Chi Trib Film Critic Michael Phillips “For ‘Carol,’ director Todd Haynes dug deep.”
“I wish I could show you what director Todd Haynes showed me. It’ll never be published; it’d be a legal nightmare to secure the rights of its contents. “A few weeks ago, the director of “Safe,” “Far From Heaven,” “I’m Not There” and the widely acclaimed “Carol” came to Chicago for the film festival. Over… Continue Reading
Lorainne Ali’s interview and analysis of ‘Carol’ is right on. What does Haynes use of 16mm portend?
Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara faced ‘secrets … forbidden topics … taboos’ in the world of ‘Carol‘ A truly great column by Lorainne Ali provides meaningful insight and analysis into the upcoming film Carol. The one thing not discussed is director Todd Haynes insistence on using 16mm film. It provides a soft, creamy look with enough… Continue Reading