Filmmaker Debra Granik constantly strives to infuse her magnificent works with authenticity, eloquently capturing tremendously moving portraits of her subjects. She often grounds the narrative in very real, intensely relevant aspects of marginalized societies. Whether it be focusing her lens on fringe communities (as in WINTER’S BONE) or overlooked and unappreciated people (like the Vietnam Vet in … [Read more...]
REVIEW: SKYSCRAPER Lifts Us Up Where We Belong
There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who celebrate a movie in which America’s most beloved hero, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, leaps from a crane to a building engulfed in flames, and those who don’t. I don’t want to know any of the latter. Writer-Director Rawson Marshall Thurber’s SKYSCRAPER doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does add much-needed flair, fire and feminism to a genre … [Read more...]
Exclusive Interview: Matthew Miele Captures Living History In ALWAYS AT THE CARLYLE
If you don’t get that story from that person then that story is lost. There are certain legendary institutions sprinkled all over New York City with such a rich historical legacy. Director Matthew Miele has now captured three of them. Back in 2013, he took us behind the scenes at one of the grandest department stores in SCATTER MY ASHES AT BERGDORF’S. In 2106, he snuck audiences behind closed … [Read more...]
REVIEW: We’re pretty “Fonda” what BOOK CLUB stands for
Author E.L. James’ Fifty Shades book series was a cultural phenomenon. It made the world stand up and realize that women are a galvanizing and forceful demographic. Whether the books are truly feminist is certainly debatable; however, it indisputably imbued its female protagonist with sexual agency, leading her to discover her voice and power. Director/ co-writer Bill Holderman’s BOOK CLUB also … [Read more...]
Candid Conversations: TULLY’s Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis & Jason Reitman
Making this film made me not feel alone. The honesty of the conversation that this movie starts is one that you just can’t deny. Director Jason Reitman’s TULLY is the kind of film that engages with its audience in brilliant ways, dealing only in universal truths and genuine, heartfelt honesty. For those who are mothers, it’s the cinematic anthem they’ve long been awaiting, showing the hardships … [Read more...]
REVIEW: TULLY is a cinematic anthem for moms everywhere
One facet of motherhood women rarely discuss is all the subtle, yet totally perceivable slights they are forced to internalize daily: a judgmental look from a stranger here; a weaponized word of concern directed at you and your screaming child there; a partners’ displeasure with a lackluster dinner. Sometimes it’s not even subtle. News cycles have practically canonized the Duchess of Cambridge for … [Read more...]
REVIEW: RAMPAGE Goes Every Which Way But Loose
When Edward Muybridge photographed the first motion picture, I’ll bet he never imagined his pioneering efforts would lead to a film that has a flying wolf attacking a military helicopter. But here we are. He’d at least go on record that a movie like that should be a colossal crowd-pleasing fun factory. Though director Brad Peyton’s RAMPAGE shows the occasional blip of rollicking good camp and … [Read more...]
REVIEW: FLOWER blossoms as a resilient beauty
At the heart of co-writer/ director Max Winkler’s coming-of-age dark comedy FLOWER stands an unapologetic, unorthodox teen protagonist. She’s like SIXTEEN CANDLES’ “Samantha Baker” if that John Hughesian heroine gave zero f*cks. Her headstrong nature assuredly contrasts Hollywood’s cookie-cutter approach to “likeability,” but the punk-rock hellfire in which her clay was baked will slay audiences. … [Read more...]
REVIEW: GRINGO – There’s Something About Harry
In the hands of filmmakers like the Coen Brothers, GRINGO could’ve been a lovely, lively and ludicrous comedy. However, it’s in the hands of Nash Edgerton, and the product churned out is an unrelenting, joyless slog. Beleaguered by problematic pacing issues, scenarios that never snap together easily, and horrendously-drawn characters, this dark comedy is a placebo for what should be a rousing, … [Read more...]
REVIEW: ANNIHILATION is a mind-bending must-see
Creating unpredictable cinema is a tricky, risky prospect. One false move and the filmmaker’s vision can turn from a journey the audience is eager to see unfold, to one where they don’t care to go any further. Luckily for writer-director Alex Garland, ANNIHILATION turns out to be the former. His riveting interpretation of author James VanderMeer’s sci-fi-horror novel is a consciousness-altering … [Read more...]
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