Catherine Grant forwarded the following on Twitter. It is worth a watch and discussion. “Watch @Delliott_Smith‘s richly informative & campily enjoyable video essay on melodrama & Sirk’s IMITATION OF LIFE. https://vimeo.com/80130945 “ Continue Reading
Analyses
10 Cloverfield Lane – Put it back in the can
It has been a really long time since I have felt the level of disgust for a movie that I felt for 10 Cloverfield Lane. Many years ago all the people in my apartment building used to get togethr on Friday nights to watch Creature Features. These were B level films at best with zombies,… Continue Reading
She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry now streaming and DVD
If you didn’t see it in the theaters last year I urge each of you to stream the documentary She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry now available on amazon, itunes, google etc. See HERE for more information from Music Box Films This is a powerful well-made documentary and presents the story of an important part of… Continue Reading
Son of Saul revisited
Now that film is released in Chicago and elsewhere, just wanted to remind you to see my Oct. 23 post from CIFF screening. Saw it again this weekend in original format. Absolutely gripping. Continue Reading
45 Years – Superb Acting in an Emotional Drama
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
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
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