This was the richest decade yet for non-fiction film. As technology further advanced itself into unpredictable and shape-shifting ways, so did the doc form. We now seem to be part of a generation that records just about everything, which has given documentary filmmakers worldwide a treasure trove of creative freedom to mold and shape storytelling narratives through the footage taken. And yet, that didn’t scare some directors from completely inserting themselves into their narratives. Films by Kirsten Johnson, Jafar Panahi and Laurie Anderson were as much about the artist directing as the topic being tackled.
Read more‘The Banker' Pulled From AFI Film Festival Over Last-Minute ‘Concerns'
Apple TV+ Oscar contender “The Banker” has been pulled from the AFI Film Festival. Why? Here’s the press release from Apple:
Read more‘Better Call Saul’ Season 5 Sets February 23rd, 2020 Premiere Date
“Breaking Bad” was quite possibly the greatest TV drama of all time, right up there with “The Sopranos” and “The Wire.” And so, it was with great restraint that I started watching its spin-off “Better Call Saul” four years ago when it premiered on AMC. Any doubt that I had quickly evaporated by the first episode. The next four seasons would make for some truly compelling television.
Read moreBest Actress: Zellweger, Theron and Johannson Are Our Front-Runners
Are there any major Best Actress contenders left to be screened this year? We are still waiting for Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women” to lift its review embargo, but Saoirse Ronan’s performance is most definitely going to be, at the very least, competing for the fourth or fifth slot. Although, having seen “Little Women,” I am not compelled to have Ronan be a part of the top five as her performance fell flat for me, but the buzz is telling a whole other story ..
Read moreNoah Hawley Directing ‘Star Trek 4'
“Lucy in the Sky” was such a major disappointment for me at the Toronto International Film Festival that it even managed to deflate my positive views of its writer-director Noah Hawley. I have been a fan of Hawley’s work ever since “Legion” and then I saw the first two brilliant seasons of the FX series “Fargo,” which just blew me away. But, apparently, Natalie Portman as an astronaut going through an existential crisis was no fun to watch for audiences and critics alike. However, it was enough for Hawley to land another filmmaking gig, as he is going back to space for his next feature.
Read moreTodd Phillips Working On A ‘Joker’ Sequel With Joaquin Phoenix
Now that Todd Phillips’ “Joker” has made $1 billion, all of Hollywood isn’t just shaken by its success but, probably, confused by the interest it has garnered nationwide. Phillips and Phoenix, both commendable artists whose singular vision drove this incredible movie, have shown a lack of interest for months in making a sequel to the film … until now.
Read more‘It Is What It Is'
That moment when Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” goes from being a very good movie to an absolute masterpiece.
Read moreThe Difference Between ‘Cinema' and ‘Roller-Coasters'
You are a young filmmaker whose first indie film showed real promise, but you know the industry you’re in is in continuous shape-shifting mode. You don’t want to sacrifice your own art, but at the same time, you know opportunities for artistic freedom are scarce.
Read more‘Varda By Agnes': The Late Agnes Varda's Final Film is More TED Talk Than Doc [Review]
The late Agne Varda is a legend of cinema. After all, her career has been filled with charming, but also immaculately provocative statements. The extensive body of work she’s built up over the years, which kept going until her death to Cancer at 90, has changed the landscape for not just Narrative and non-fiction filmmaking, but female directors in general.
Read more‘Avengers: Endgame' Directors Joe and Anthony Russo Claim ‘Cinema' is a ‘New York Word'
With more and more people chiming in, and as I try not to overreport it to death (I just can’t post every single person’s thoughts on the “Marvel is/isn’t cinema debate), here are two guys whose opinion should probably be put into official deposition.
Read moreOscars 2020: Best Supporting Actor Shaping Up to be the Most Interesting Race
One of the most exciting categories when it comes to this year’s Oscar race has got to be the Best Supporting Actor category.
Read more‘Hala': Muslim-American Tale is a Vital and Unique Addition to the Coming-of-Age Genre [Review]
Films based on a teenager trying to break through the restrictive barriers of his/her parent’s religious upbringing isn’t anything new in cinema. However, Minhal Baig‘s “Hala” is unique because it tackles a gifted, hijab-wearing, skateboarding Pakistani student (Geraldine Viswanathan) who tries to navigate both her duties as a Muslim and her academic social life. The complications which eventually arise in Baig’s film can be deemed to be of the conventional kind, but, regardless, under Baig’s watchful cinematic eyes, “Hala” ends up feeling fresh and authentic.
Read moreAtlanta Newspaper Slams Clint Eastwood's ‘Richard Jewell' For Biases Against Media and FBI
Clint Eastwood’s Richard Jewell is set to have its world premiere at this year’s AFI Fest. The Gala will take place on Wednesday, November 20 at the TCL Chinese Theatre.
Read more‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood': Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers in the Role He Was Born to Play [Review]
Just a year after Morgan Neville’s indispensable documentary on Mister Rogers (“Won’t You Be My Neighbour?”), director Marielle Heller’s “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” has iconic everyman Tom Hanks playing the good-hearted children’s TV host in a role that not only perfectly suits him, but also embodies everything we love about the legendary Oscar-winning actor.
Read moreFlashback: Christopher Nolan Once Pointed Out A Key Problem With Marvel Movies
Christopher Nolan’s eventual take on Marvel movies will no doubt spark more conversation, words which could be as impactful as Scorsese’s in the never-ending “Marvel is/isn’t Cinema” debate. His take on the controversy will eventually come to light when he surely does promo for his upcoming movie “Tenet.”
Read moreNetflix's Theatrical Rollout for ‘The Irishman' is A Missed Opportunity
Box-Office: ‘Ford v Ferrari' Triumphs with $31 Million Opening, ‘Charlie's Angels' Bombs With $8 Million Debut
Fox’s “Ford v Ferrari” came out swinging in a weekend involving yet more records for “Joker” and another big studio flop.
Read more‘Joker’ Was Screened at the White House and President Trump ‘Liked It'
Yahoo! News is quoting a senior White House official who confirmed to the outlet that Todd Phillips’ “Joker” was screened for President Trump and “for guests including ‘family, friends, and some staff” at the White House screening room. That same White House official confirmed that President Trump “liked” the movie.
Read moreGo Woke, Go Broke: ‘Charlies Angels' Bombs at the Box-Office
Is it that surprising for us to learn “Charlie’s Angels” has totally bombed at the box-office? Deadline is reporting that the “woke” reboot is about to open with a God-awful $8.2M. Yikes.
Read moreRanked: All 8 Martin Scorsese Movies From the 21st Century
With “The Irishman” currently in limited release, and dropping on Netflix later this month, let’s look back on one of Hollywood’s most legendary director’s work since the turn of the millennia.
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Adam Driver is still not over "The Hunt for Ben Solo," but there's a silver lining: Steven Soderbergh has already moved on to a new script, and Driver calls it one of the best things Soderbergh has ever written.