Movies about losses, wins, and casino adventures are always watched in a single burst.
Read more‘Elvis’ Could Nab a Best Picture Nomination [Cannes]
“Elvis” is not the train wreck many will have you believe. Baz Luhrmann’s biopic is a flashy, and does make you feel pummelled by the end of its 159 minute runtime, but it’s not unworthy.
Read moreJordan Peele’s ‘Nope’: VFX Not Ready?
Jordan Peele’s “Nope” is a bit more than a month away from being released. It test-screened again a few weeks ago in Long Beach, California and the most was that of a moviegoer puzzled by what seemed like a heavy lack of VFX completion.
Read moreClaire Denis’ ‘The Stars at Noon’ Might Be Her Worst Film [Cannes]
Claire Denis has waited close to 34 years to get back into Cannes competition. The film that got her there might be the worst of her career.
Read moreWhy Was Martone’s ‘Nostalgia’ in Competition? [Cannes]
Mario Martone was a surprise inclusion for Cannes competition this year with “Nostalgia.” People were mostly expecting it to land at Venice, but something happened.
Read more‘The Gray Man’: Netflix’ Most Expensive Movie Ever is Their Biggest and Riskiest Gamble
Netflix saw its stock crash a few weeks ago, then a few days later they had to layoff off 150 people at their L.A. headquarters and now they have “The Gray Man.”
Read moreMore Buzz From Cannes …
An Israeli critic I spoke to, who has seen Lukas Dhont’s “Close,” did not like it. He said it felt very familiar and, at times, amateurish. Then again, this same person says he hasn’t seen a good movie at Cannes since Sunday. So, who knows!
Read moreDavid Cronenberg’s ‘Crimes of the Future’ is Meditative, Horrific and Visionary [Cannes]
David Cronenberg’s latest is not a great film, but it’s a very good one. However, over time I believe it might be considered his magnum opus. It a late-career statement from a major auteur.
Read moreAri Aster’s ‘Disappointment Blvd’ Clocking in at 3 and a Half Hours, A24 Wants Shorter Version
Why was Ari Aster’s “Disappointment Blvd” not at Cannes? Well, I’ll tell you why. An American producer here at Cannes just told me that his movie is ridiculously long (210 minutes) and he doesn’t want to cut.
Read more‘Tori et Lokita’: Idiot Critic Throws Tantrum Over Solid Dardennes Movie [Cannes]
This Dardenne’s “Tori and Lokita” is absorbing for 95% of its runtime. They just can’t stick the landing. That’s alright, I bet it goes over well with the jury.
Read moreTop 10 Casino Films Of All Time
When it comes to the world of casino movies, plenty of great films has been made about the subject. From the early days of Las Vegas to the modern era of online casinos, these films have showcased a wide range of casino themes.
Read more‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ Becomes A24’s Highest-Grossing Movie Ever
I’ve been following the ascendancy of The Daniels’ “Everything Everywhere All At Once” for around a month now. This week it became A24’s highest-grossing movie of all-time, surpassing “Uncut Gems.”
Read morePark Chan-wook’s ‘Decision to Leave’: Don’t Believe the Hype
Some of the raves coming in for Park Chan-room’s “Decision to Leave” are mind-boggling. US and UK film critics have gone gaga over it. Don’t buy it. If you speak to international critics, they are way more divisive towards it. And so am I.
Read moreMichel Franco’s ‘Memory’ Wraps Production, Stars Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard
Weak Cannes 75 So Far
So far, Cannes has been disappointing. Let’s hope the best titles are back-loaded like last year’s edition. We still have Park, Reichardt, Cronenberg, Kore-eda, Dardenne and Denis left to be screened (among others).
Read more‘Holy Spider’: Graphic Serial Killer Noir Works Better as Iranian Indictment [Cannes]
Set 21 years ago in Masshad, Iran, Ali Abassi’s Holy Spider has shocked quite a few people here at Cannes for its depiction of violence towards women.
Read moreRoman Polanski’s ‘The Palace’ Having a Hard Time Finding Distribution
Roman Polanski is, supposedly, having a hard time finding a distributor for his upcoming film, “The Palace.”
Read more‘R.M.N’: Cristi Mungiu Tackles Xenophobia in 21st Century Europe [Cannes]
In “R.M.N,” you get the sense, much like the Dardennes, that Cristi Mungiu hasn’t necessarily evolved his well-known style, but stuck by it these last 15 years.
Read more‘You People’ Reaction Hints at Possible Oscar Contention for Netflix-Produced Dramedy
This movie was not on my radar. “You People” is directed by Kenya Barris (Girls Trip), and co-written by himself and Jonah Hill.
Read moreAlex Garland’s ‘Men’ Gets a D+ CinemaScore
American audiences are really hating Alex Garland’s “Men.” Of course, it’s not as bad as moviegoers purport it to be, nor is it as good as his best films.
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