“Monkey Man” marks Oscar-nominee Dev Patel‘s (“Lion,” “Slumdog Millionaire”) noteworthy debut as a feature film director, delivering a gripping action thriller that delves deep into themes of vengeance, justice, and perseverance. Inspired by the legendary figure of Hanuman, the Hindu deity known for his indomitable strength and unwavering courage, “Monkey Man” follows the journey of […]
Apparently few read or studied Sir Gawain and The Green Knight in school, not that familiarity with the material will make or break your experience with David Lowery’s version. You’ve likely seen a film or two by director David Lowery: A Ghost Story, Pete’s Dragon, The Old Man and the Gun, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints.
There are few movies that can land a genuine smile on your face. I’m talking pure unfiltered joy coming from the creativity beaming on screen, something we need now even more than when I first reviewed this film back in Toronto last fall. “The Personal History of David Copperfield” manages to do that more than
You might not expect to see the most suspenseful movie of the year at the Toronto International Film Festival, but Hotel Mumbai is just that film. To make things more impressive it’s from first time feature film director Anthony Maras. Hotel Mumbai encapsulates the citywide terror attacks that occurred in Mumbai, India in 2008. It’s
Writer and director Michael Winterbottom‘s work has never had much impact on the world of cinema. “A Mighty Heart,” his collaboration with Angelina Jolie, is somewhat significant in the film world; however, his latest, “The Wedding Guest,” is a far cry from that. This suspense thriller also lacks the visual appeal of Winterbottom’s work with
Producer Harvey Weinstein knew he had something good back at the 2015 Cannes film festival, where he showed raw footage of Lion to select journalists. When Garth Davis’ directorial debut made its big splash at the Toronto Film Festival in September, macho male journalists even admitted they were moved to tears by the compelling true
Writer, director and producer Matt Brown doesn’t have the cinematic appetite to turn, what is basically his feature film debut, into a movie that is as good as other mathematician biopics. He also doesn’t explore the racial tension towards immigrants from India appropriately. It’s yet another case of a small film, with extraordinary potential by
Director John Madden (Shakespeare in Love) and the cast who survived the first film return to India to once again check into the Marigold Hotel. “Why die here when you can die there,” says hotel co-owner Muriel Donnelly played by Oscar winner Maggie Smith (Downton Abby, Harry Potter). It’s Smith’s charm and wit that keeps
His second bust in a row, South African filmmaker Neill Blomkamp exploded onto the scene in 2009 with District 9. Nominated for best picture that year, Blomkamp became the guy to watch. His second feature Elysium took him away from the small budget workings and put him in summer movie territory, where he delivered a