The Czech Republic’s submission to the Academy Awards that was short-listed from over 90 films to one of the ten, was also one of the films that prompted walkouts during Venice and Toronto film festivals. Director Václav Marhoul’s controversial black and white film The Painted Bird is adapted from the equally controversial author Jerzy Kosinski. […]
You can appreciate Martin Scorsese’s accomplishments and his lasting legacy in cinema without really loving his films. His latest “The Irishman” is a Netflix-funded mob flick that harkens back to his “Casino” or “Goodfellas” days, with a spattering of familiar cast. Given free rein by Netflix, the only studio who would (or could) give him
In the hands of Wes Anderson, a stop-motion animated film with mostly dogs as characters and an allegorical theme will captivate children and adults without pandering to either. Probably by coincidence, writer-director Anderson, with the help of Roman Coppola, Jason Schwartzman, and Kunichi Nomura, employ themes of topical relevance today: government corruption, foreign influences on
Here is a film that is constructed entirely around a dinner scene that speaks volumes about the class system. In the previews, this dinner party scene is set up like a Notting Hill or Love Actually moment. Madame, with a short running time of 90 swift minutes and peculiar alternating point of views, fail to
Being truly funny takes talent, and The Comedian misses the mark; there are a few out-loud laughs in it, but mostly it tries to be funny by saying outrageous things nearly always with a sexual reference. The movie won’t grab you. Actually, the story is more interesting than the jokes. Jackie (De Niro) is looking
Paolo Sorrentino presents Youth much like a classic Italian filmmaker from the 1950’s. It’s an art film for sure, but Sorrentino’s original script offers much more than just stunning Switzerland visuals and curious cinematic metaphors.
There should never be any confusion about which films are by Wes Anderson. He is an auteur in every meaning of the word, as he has carved out a specific niche for his own distinctive creativity. Like a painter who reinvented brush strokes or a vocal artist with a special sound, Wes Anderson’s films are