I would imagine this is one of the most difficult bestselling books to be adapted in the past few years. As we continue the 2014 religious theme, Heaven is for Real is the only one of the major releases set in modern times. Based on the book by Todd Burpo, a preacher in small town […]
Perhaps the film Mud (2012) had a bigger influence and impact on filmmakers than it did on viewers. David Gordon Green’s latest, Joe, and now Sara Colangelo’s Little Accidents both seem to grow from the same fertilizer that Mud derived from. Jacob Lofland, who played “Neckbone” in Mud, gets typecast in his second feature but
For a director that has literally been making the same movie for 17 years (Coffee & Cigarettes), Jim Jarmusch delivers his most exquisite film to date with the help of striking performances from Oscar winner Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton, We Need to Talk About Kevin) and Marvel super-villain Tom Hiddleston.
Juliette Lewis (August: Osage County) sure is working hard on a comeback. Two of the best films debuting at the SXSW film festival starred Lewis. Her performance in Kelly & Cal would win my best actress award for this years’ collection of movies. Lewis has been typecast for some time now as being an airhead,
I am really bothered by the fact that in the movie Frank, not only is SXSW mentioned, but they actually attend. Sure, Austin is mentioned in a majority of the films that have played the film festival, but this one seems to actively campaign in order to be accepted. Of course, the star power doesn’t
This was the most out of this world film I saw at SXSW. Space Station 76 takes 70’s soap opera drama into space–literally. It almost feels like a joke until the joke wears thin. The elevator music, classic songs, wardrobe and acting that mirrors That 70’s Show at times all work together to present this
Former Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul (Need for Speed) has certainly gotten my attention with his performance in the new film Hellion. Written, directed and based on her short film of the same name, Kat Candler delivers a rousing and emotional look at the struggle of young men trying to overcome tragedy. Also a professor
Continuing the 2014 SXSW obsession with teenage coming of age stories, Ping Pong Summer is the least impressive in the crowded field (see Hellion, Boyhood, and Wilderness of James for better examples). Sure, they have Susan Sarandon in the film for maybe ten minutes total, but her presence is so underserved here. It also occurs
Comedies at SXSW are really hit and miss for me. We’ll Never Have Paris is from the mind, and unfortunate the true story of actor, writer, director Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) and his wife and co-director Jocelyn Towne. Right off the bat I noticed that Helberg’s performance and the way the story is
For her directorial debut, Liz Tuccillo (writer on Sex & the City) uses the idea of someone needing constant assistance and care while putting them in isolation and allowing the audience to watch and see what happens. There’s a little bit of genius in this script, also written by Tuccillo. Leslie Bibb (Iron Man, The