Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s filmmaking debut, “Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” is the kind of documentary that can actually change the shape of how history is written. It presents to the viewer never-before-seen footage from the Harlem Cultural Festival or what is otherwise known as “Black Woodstock.”
Read more‘F9’ Debuts With Pandemic-era Record $70 Million Opening
The box office debut of “F9” was, as expected, strong-ish with a 3-day total of $70 million via 4,179 North American screens — by far the biggest start for a movie at the U.S. box office since the pandemic began last March.
Read moreThe 10 Best Action Movies of All-Time
"Die Hard" changed the action genre almost 30 years ago; ever since then it has evolved in numerous, interesting ways, (mind you not all successful) but it’s given us a handful of great movies. "Fury Road" is only the latest addition to this ever-evolving genre. Where do we go from here? What will be the consequences of a post-“Fury Road” action world? As A.O. Scott wrote in The New York Times, "Miller has reminded us that blockbusters have the potential to not only be art, but radically visionary – even the fourth in a series. What a lovely day, indeed." Here are ten movies -all released within the last 30 years - that tried to change the game, succeeded and made it a lovely day for blockbusters.”
Read more‘Brian Wilson: The Long Promised Road’ [Tribeca]
There’s definitely an exploitative feel to Brent Wilson’s “Long Promised Road,” an intimate documentary about Beach Boys singer-songwriter Brian Wilson.
Read moreTop Must-See Movies About Student Life
Our college years are some of the most unforgettable, iconic years of our lives. It should come as no surprise that this epic era of new experiences, self-discovery, and independence are so often celebrated in the movies and TV we enjoy. Nostalgia for, or the celebration of, the period immediately after our high school years is a common theme for many of the most popular movies in our society. Watching these films is a great way to connect back to the times of our lives when we first embarked on the journey that is college.
Read morePedro Almodóvar's ‘Madres Paralelas’ Will Be Released in September, Eyeing Venice Film Festival Premiere
It didn’t take much time for director Pedro Almodóvar's latest movie to get a release date. The Spanish-Language “Madres Paralelas” (Parallel Mothers), which will be the legendary director’s 23rd feature-length film, wrapped production this past April and is now set for a September 2021 release in Spain [via El Espanol].
Read moreDavid Fincher's ‘The Killer' Set For November Shoot
Cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt — who just won an Oscar for Mank — spoke to El Diario Vasco (via The Fincher Analyst) and confirmed he’ll be reteaming with David Fincher on “The Killer”. A November shoot is set for Paris.
Read moreSpike Lee’s Cannes 2021 Jury Will Include Maggie Gyllenhaal, Melanie Laurent, and More
The 2021 Cannes Film Festival has announced the jurors who will join Spike Lee in determining the Palme d’Or winner. Lee will be accompanied by director Mati Diop, singer-songwriter Mylène Farmer, actress-director Maggie Gyllenhaal, writer-director Jessica Hausner, actress-director Mélanie Laurent, writer-director Kleber Mendonça Filho, actor Tahar Rahim, and actor Song Kang-ho.
‘Luca’: Slight, But Charming Pixar [Review]
Disney/Pixar’s animated “Luca” sets its sights in Italy. Dealing with two teenage sea nymphs who crave to explore the non-aquatic life, this is a gorgeous-looking but expendable addition to the ever-growing Pixar canon.
Read moreAre We Surprised? 78-Year-Old Harrison Ford Injures Himself On-Set of ‘Indiana Jones 5'
“Harrison Ford will be 79 by the time the fifth instalment (of Indiana Jones) is released, not to mention that the role is a physically demanding one — is it any wonder that there are doubts if this could actually be pulled off? Ford isn’t out-of-shape in the least bit, but, he is set to become the oldest action star at the movies.”
Read moreToronto Film Festival Lineup Includes ‘Dune,’ and ‘Last Night in Soho’
Last year’s hybrid edition of the Toronto International Film Festival somewhat worked, given the dire circumstances, and today it was announced that the festival will again do a mix of both online and in-person screenings for its 45th edition.
Read moreA24's ‘Zola' Has to Be Seen to be Believed [Capsule]
A24’s 2020 slate has been put on complete pause, and what a slate it was supposed to be — “Saint Maud,” “Minari,” “On the Rocks,” “The Green Knight,” “C’mon, C’mon,” and, finally, “Zola.” Due to the pandemic, all of these films are currently in a state of scheduling limbo with A24 basically refusing to go digital (I don’t blame them), but that hasn’ stopped the popular indie studio from releasing today a teaser for the hotly anticipated Sundance title “Zola”
Read more‘I Carry You With Me’: Potent Gay Romance Set Between the U.S.-Mexico Border [Review]
Heidi Ewing’s passionate gay romance “I Carry You With Me” ended up winning the NEXT Audience and Jury Prize at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. An effervescent mood piece, and filled with relevance, Wing had originally set her sights for the film to be a documentary about her two subjects, but when she couldn’t complete it, she decided to tell her story through, mostly, fiction.
Read moreThe Importance of Sound Effects in Movies
Try watching a movie without sound and see how long you stay invested in the story. Though the essence of film is the moving image, it is the sound that truly immerses the audience into the story and elicits the emotional response. The audio track of a movie consists of three types of sound: dialogue, music, and sound effects. Let’s take a look at the unsung hero of the three: sound effects!
Read more‘In the Heights’ Drops Staggering 63% in its Second Week, Can You Say Box-Office Disaster?
Lionsgste’s “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” opened with a paltry $17 million over the five-day weekend. It’s a very meh opening for the sequel which is said to have a budget of around $70 million. It might not break even. The original opened to a 3-day $21 million, making a total of $75 million (on a $30 million budget).
Read more‘Don't Look Up' Test Screens
What we know about Adam McKay’s “Don’t Look Up,” his upcoming return to comedy, is that it’s the story of two low-level astronomers who must go on a giant media tour to warn mankind of an approaching asteroid that will destroy Earth.
Read moreTelluride 2021: Netflix Will Have a Powerful Presence
Capsules: ‘Sweat,’ ‘Summer of 85,’ ‘Rita Moreno’
Mariem Pérez Riera’s “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It” isn’t necessarily a look at the life and 70+ year career of “West Side Story” actress Rita Moreno.
Read moreCannes 2021 Official Poster Pays Tribute to Spike Lee
Director Spike Lee will be the Jury President at this upcoming 74th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. Today it was revealed he will also be on the official poster of the festival, which is set to launch of July 5th. It’s a beautifully realized placard, done by Bob Peterson and Nike.
Read more‘Dune' Set to Premiere at Venice Film Festival
Notice how we are currently going through a dire movie year. Literally none of the major studios have released what could be qualified as something “great.” No, so far this year you had to dig deep to find diamonds in the ruff; indies such as “The Killing of Two Lovers,” “PVT Chat,” and “The Truffle Hunters” are very much worth your time, but they are so under-the-radar that not only are they struggling to find an audience, but not many film critics have actually reviewed these films. Seek them out.
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