By Jacob Mertens. I cannot write a review for Fruitvale Station without having the recent verdict of the George Zimmerman trial dig at my sides, seeking some corresponding resonance. The risk here is that I let Ryan Coogler’s film become something more than it ought to be: a simple portrait […]
Upside Down (2012)
July 31, 2013
By Kimberly Behzadi. Upside Down follows the love story of two young people pulled apart by opposing forces. After a floundering theatrical release in early March this year, the film, written and directed by Juan Diego Solanas, has found a small following on the digital platform and is available on […]
Ice (1970) & Milestones (1975)
July 30, 2013
By Celluloid Liberation Front. “No hungry man who is also sober can be persuaded to use his last dollar for anything but food. But a well-fed, well-clad, well-sheltered and otherwise well-tended person can be persuaded as between an electric razor and an electric toothbrush. Along with prices and costs, consumer […]
Inside The Asylum: The Outlaw Studio That Changed Hollywood
July 25, 2013
By Wheeler Winston Dixon. “Anyone can make a $100 million dollar movie, but to shoot a feature film in 12-14 days, with a budget that’s probably less than the phone bill on a major studio film is monumental. To do it every four weeks and then release the film three […]
What Maisie Knew (2013)
July 24, 2013
By Jacob Mertens. “It was to be the fate of this patient little girl to see much more than, at first, she understood, but also, even at first, to understand much more than any little girl, however patient, had perhaps ever understood before. Only a drummer-boy in a ballad or […]
The Wolverine (2013)
July 23, 2013
By Cleaver Patterson. Comic-book characters must be a Hollywood dream. A film featuring one, if a hit, is a potential goldmine—with the possibility of limitless prequels, sequels, spinoffs and merchandising opportunities, it is a virtual license to print money. Even if a film is not a success, all the studio […]
I Remember Me: an interview with Carl Reiner
July 23, 2013
By Amy R Handler. Behind every outstanding man, there’s an even more brilliant woman, and the legendary comedian, writer, director and actor, Carl Reiner agrees wholeheartedly. Of his late wife, and dearest friend, Estelle Lebost Reiner, Carl Reiner proudly admits that Estelle taught him everything he knows. I had the […]
Suschitzky and Slocombe: Two Centenarians
July 22, 2013
David A. Ellis spoke to two legendary lens men. WOLFGANG SUSCHITZKY was born in Vienna on August 29, 1912. He came to England in 1935 and established himself as a photographer. Later he went into documentary work. His first feature film was No Resting Place (1951) directed by Paul Rotha. […]
Only God Forgives
July 22, 2013
By Christopher Sharrett. When I learned that Nicholas Winding Refn’s new film would be set in Bangkok and include martial arts, drugs, and extreme violence, I was disheartened. It seemed that Refn was reaching for a larger audience, with material for which I have no interest at all. I make […]
Business as Usual: James Wan’s The Conjuring
July 20, 2013
By Wheeler Winston Dixon. The Conjuring is a remarkably traditional film in both style and content; once again exorcism and possession are ramped up for the usual thrill ride, complete with objects flying around the house, children in peril, a possessed mother, ghosts from the past tormenting the living, with […]