The opening sequences of “Elvis” and the introduction to The King are not too dissimilar to that of “Moulin Rouge!” when Satine finally drops into frame. Australian filmmaker and Oscar nominee, Baz Luhrmann has an eccentric style of directing that leans heavy on abundance. His flair for color in every frame, manic editing and gaudy […]
One really gets the meaning of limbo when you wait and wait and wait on a remote Scottish island with a small clutch of young men from places like Syria, Afghanistan, Ghana, and Nigeria who are seeking asylum. They are housed in modest lodgings and get supplies from the donation shop. They attend classes on acculturation, applying
This is a story written by writer/director Darius Cianfrance (Blue Valentine, The Place Beyond the Pines), and has all the emotional pull of his previous films. Sound of Metal is co-written and directed by Darius Marder—his frequent collaborator. Their films invariably have such substance it’s always a special treat to see them—not a treat in the sense
Filmmaker François Girard (The Red Violin) is interested in music first, film second, and history third. His latest The Song of Names, like all his work, combine those three elements, this time into a familiar WWII film. The Song of Names also functions somewhat as a coming of age story, or at least it’s flashbacks.
Competitions are generally fun to watch, and Stacey Tenenbaum (writer/director/producer) of Pipe Dreams has created a finely constructed and balanced production of the 2017 Canadian International Oregon Competition in Montreal, Canada, where the first place prize is $100,000. Featured competitors comprise a diverse group, one from China, one from New Zealand, one from Germany, and two from the U.S. Tenenbaum
Anyone who is a fan of Leonard Cohen’s music is sure to want to see this documentary about his life and the woman who became his muse despite their disconnections through the years. It’s a love story, but likely more unconventional than any other told before, perhaps partly because of the times (1960’s-70’s) and partly
Ah, the struggle of making it in life after having two kids before age 18 and serving a jail sentence, but also nursing a burning desire to make it big in country music when you live in Scotland. A tall order! Rose (Buckley) is just such a girl who seems not to have much, but is richly
Jakob Dylan and his band create an echo in Laurel Canyon when they perform some of the major hits that were recorded there in the mid-60’s, e.g., the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, the Beach Boys, and the Mamas and the Papas. Also appearing in interviews and chats are Tom Petty, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills, David
Like with Bohemian Rhapsody, it’s impossible not to be moved by the performance of the leading actor. Only this time, Dexter Fletcher gets full credit and doesn’t have to worry about controversy. Taron Egerton might have a bit more feature film experience than Rami Malik did, but still a relative newcomer portraying an icon. Elton
A few things to note, don’t judge Teen Spirit on it’s poster. For one, it’s not your average teenager – wants to become a rock-star movie, this is an indie flick with slightly more to say. Second, it’s also not a Nichols Winding Refn movie, despite how the poster is crushing on his work (I