What kind of artistry does it take to make a film about cats in the city mesmerizing? The brilliant, sharp photography of this documentary by Ceyda Torun and her team makes the cats in Istanbul and the people who care for them come alive with their warmth and mutual regard for one another. It’s a […]
Often, we get celebrity and movie stars confused. One typically has a talent, presents an art form, while the other lends their popularity to ticket sales. To be very clear, The Void has neither. There is a good reason for it too, the duo written/directed Canadian horror film couldn’t attract famous figures, even if they
Well, I found it! No, not the best film of the year, but the yearly pre-award season movie I get excited for, based on an impeccable trailer and cast (that Sigur Rós music sealed the deal). Like “Suffragette” in 2015, “A Light Between Oceans” last year, “The Zookeeper’s Wife” takes this year’s award for advertising
Olivier Assayas’s follow-up to Clouds of Sils Maria begins like any formulaic horror movie; Young girl in a dark, secluded, old house by herself. Personal Shopper is anything but formulaic as Assayas reteams with Stewart juggling narratives in this genre bending thriller/drama/horror film. Stewart is fascinating to watch, as always, whether cursing on SNL, breaking
Stories like Ghost in the Shell are comic book and animated presentations for a reason. Their futuristic imagination is often beyond the capabilities of feature film, or certainly the creative ingenuity of what can and more importantly should be adapted into live action. Sadly, the lines of what is live action (real) and what is
At the rate Hollywood is turning out space films, there isn’t much left to discover in the genre it seems. Director Daniel Espinosa (“Child 44”) certainly makes a run at it though, reteaming with his “Safe House” star Ryan Reynolds. “Life” is an action thriller, it’s sort of a contagion film mixed with all the
It remains to be seen if director Craig Johnson is a one hit wonder following oh so wonderful film The Skeleton Twins. His follow-up Wilson, starring Woody Harrelson, is another quirky family film, but without the comprehensive structure. In fact, Wilson feels downright episodic, strung together in a way that pulls the viewer from one
When a film gets the kind of buzz Raw gained out of film festivals; people reportedly fainting, throwing up, having to be carried out of the theater. It generates a level of anticipation (at least for American audiences) that can never be justified. Perhaps it’s because we live in a world so desaturated to violence
Trainspotting was one of those films that hit just before cinema took over my world. It was such an iconic film for the 90’s, most people interested in cinema, or just curious saw it. I did, wasn’t impressed, and it took a few movies to embrace Danny Boyle’s particular style of filmmaking. It certainly put
The quality of the films is really the nail in the coffin. Spending so much time and effort just to sit through a movie called Small Town Crime, then another Small Crimes that are nearly the same concept makes you wonder if Janet Pierson head of film selections at SXSW needs to let someone else