In many ways director Paul Schrader’s new film First Reformed could work as a double feature with last year’s Novitiate. It’s a dark piece on the complicated modern life of a minister dealing with his own internal demons. First Reformed is a twisted tale, not unlike the morally conflicted films in Schrader’s repertoire such as […]
The next time you are in your local theater, stop, take a look around. Pay attention to the posters that are currently displayed and how nearly every one of them are sequels, prequels, reincarnations or re-boots. Director Gary Ross (The Hunger Games, Seabiscuit) has always been a dependable director, turning the usual into the unexpected.
There is going to be a lot of talk about “Hereditary,” which is the type of film that exists to disturb, bother, and create conversation. First-time feature filmmaker Ari Aster floored audiences when “Hereditary” debuted at Sundance earlier this year. It’s not simply that his film is frightening or distressing; it’s the quality of his writing,
Now here is an interesting movie. An American crime drama set in Massachusetts, filmed on location in Bulgaria. When Nicholas Cage is the best thing about your film, you know you are in trouble. There is morbidly bad acting from the very opening scene, which sets up the bad guys, to the very end. There
There are lots of survival films, many of them taking place in open water. “Adrift” is both similar to those before it, and strikingly different. Based on an incredible true story of a sailboat wrecked in the Pacific, Shailene Woodley (“The Descendants”) re-dons her bathing suit to give what’s easily her most ambitious and demanding
Saoirse Ronan received her first Oscar nomination for “Atonement,” written by Ian McEwan. Once again, she takes on a role he created, writing his own screen adaptation for the first time. Director Dominic Cooke, unfortunately, doesn’t work the same wonders with McEwan’s script that Joe Wright did with “Atonement.” The provocative nature of the subject matter creates
His first film in seven years, John Cameron Mitchell doesn’t do anything unless it’s shocking and provocative. In his second collaboration with Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole), Mitchell’s How to Talk to Girls at Parties is likely the most obtuse movie you will spot all year long. A 1977 punk rock coming of age story, set
This movie opens with stunning oceans views and beautiful scenery, but viewers will quickly sense the foreboding dread they likely paid for. This isn’t a beauty and the beast story. New filmmaker Michael Pearce explores romance, horror, manipulation and mental illness in a film that feels like Twilight’s cousin. The moody scenery of France’s Chanel
Director of 27 Dresses Michael Mayer doesn’t seem to have much of a clue how to adapt Anton Chekhov’s play. He’s in good company, as other versions have also disappointed. Despite the lack of inspired direction, the actors rise to the occasion of melodrama, especially Oscar nominee Bening (Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool). The
While there is nothing inherently wrong with the latest “Star Wars” film, there is nothing intrinsically right with it either. “Star Wars” fatigue has set in for many fans a few episodes back. Fatigue that is likely to continue because the franchise which used to debut films once every few years, now delivers a new one every few