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
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88th Oscars and The Vibes — Tell The Story of Filmmaking
The 88th Academy Awards production had a very different feel to it from those of recent years. All to the plus. Introductory presentations were crisper without the slapstick comedy that often occurred between presenters and acceptance speeches were crisper, to the point and most importantly shorter. All the other fifty thank-you acknowledgment scrolled by on… Continue Reading
Music in Film –A New Study Group
The past few weeks I have been in the process of preparing a new study group for Spring. Music in Film will look at the many roles that music plays during the course of a film; the people who compose and the directors who make use of it. We will look at how music at… 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
Do We Need the Oscars?
Much has been said in recent days about how the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which present the Oscars, needs fixing. Without getting too deeply into the “OscarsSoWhite” issue I would like to put forth for consideration the question of whether the tightly controlled Oscars are even necessary or representative of the filmmakers.… 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
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