Cinephelia and Beyond is hosting a great interview of Francis Ford Coppola by Brian De Palma regarding the making of THE CONVERSATION. Check it out at http://www.cinephiliabeyond.org/francis-ford-coppola-brian-de-palma-conversation-two-great-filmmakers/ Continue Reading
Review
Victoria — A really different approach
The German thriller VICTORIA was made in a unique way. First, starting with only 12 pages of script, the filmmakers rehearsed and improvised into a full length movie. Recall that The Curious Case of Benjamin Button also started with a 12 page short story. Then the film was shot in only one long take. “The… Continue Reading
Elaine May on writing, acting, directing.
Following a screening of her work at the Jacob Burns Film Center, Elaine May when asked which of the aspects of filmmaking—writing, directing, acting—she prefers, answered “They’re really different parts of the brain. Writing is close to acting. In directing, you control. Acting, you can’t control how good you are, and you can’t control how… Continue Reading
China –Highest grossing cinema territory in the world.
It has been known for generations that U.S. studios got their highest gross sales overseas. Some say this is one of the causes in lack of diveristy in film. It is also no secret that during the rise of Naziism, U.S. studios catered to the German moviegoing audience, often getting the most sales in Germany. … Continue Reading
Cinema’s Exiles: From Hitler to Hollywood – Anchors TCM Celebration
I have been communicating for years with Producer/Director Karen Thomas regarding her 2009 PBS documentary Cinema Exiles: From Hitler to Hollywood. I had been urging her to get the fabulous story released into general circulation. I received an email today from Karen with exciting news First the film will anchor a celebration on Turner Classic Movies… Continue Reading
Video essay on Sirk’s Imitation of Life
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
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
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
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