Films about famous painters have always proven a challenge for filmmakers to connect with audiences. Julian Schnabel doesn’t speak English well, so there was an even greater challenge for the director working with his American and European actors. However, he used that alienated feeling in the film as one of many techniques to portray Vincent […]
I didn’t know what to expect from Danish director Bille August’s medical court drama. With no poster, no trailer, no US distribution, it was a gamble to see this one at TIFF. That gamble paid off, as 55 Steps boasts two phenomenal performances, one of which might garner a golden statue. Screenwriter Mark Bruce Rosin
Documentary filmmaker Matthew Heineman successfully navigates the transition to feature films with A Private War. Like embedded war laden journalism films before it, A Private War follows the extremist (not extreme) style dedication of women who put duty and self-assigned purpose over everything else, including their own lives. Veronica Guerin comes to mind, although her
This production of the well-known story pleased the audience I was with, and there were lots of audible reactions from the kids, with applause at the end. I think it might be a hit at Christmas-time. The colorful animations, sets, and CGI effects; the Christmas messages that put presents and material things into perspective; and liberal doses
Fox Searchlight is promoting David Lowery’s latest film as the final film of Robert Redford’s long, distinguished career. Yet, the 82-year-old Redford said at the Telluride Film Festival, “never say never.” Redford who has two Oscars, one for directing and one honorary Oscar, has never won for acting. Unfortunately, this light as air dramatic comedy won’t
There are simply not enough films with Oscar winner Emma Thompson at the forefront. Director Richard Eyre (Notes on a Scandal, Iris) has crafted a rousing performance vehicle that could land Thompson back in awards consideration. The Children Act is written by Ian McEwan (Atonement) whose one of the most wonderfully British screenwriters around. Eyre,
Ah yes, a simple favor indeed. This comedic drama is fun to watch with all the baits and switches leading down one path and then another and with plenty of comedy that stays just short of slapstick. The entertaining novel by Darcy Bell, on which Jessica Sharzer has based her screenplay, has been translated to the screen
Someone hailed this as “Glenn Close best performance yet” prior to its debut at The Toronto International Film Festival. It’s not, but Close is especially good in this film about marriage and celebrity. What surprised me most about simple drama The Wife, was the secret that’s uncovered within the story, albeit in a rather retrospective
In 2011 Brother and sister duo Jesse and Evgenia Peretz made a film called Our Idiot Brother and it was very bad. They return with yet another quirky comedy, but this time, the script and direction are genuinely entertaining. Evgenia’s script examines the different aspects, responsibilities, and regrets of middle-age dating. She also explores idol obsession and
Former Google employee Aneesh Chaganty’s first film Searching has an uphill battle thanks to disposable horror film “Unfriended”. The latest disposable feature film trend moves from i-Phone shot movies, to having everything displayed on a computer screen, webcam, facetime or security footage. Essentially, it’s the evolution of the “found footage” concept but Chaganty’s intelligence within