Oscar Actors: Clooney (Actor and Director)

George Clooney (1961- ) Acting roles Year Title Role Notes 1983 Grizzly II: Revenge Ron 1986 Combat Academy Cadet Major Biff Woods 1987 Return to Horror High Oliver 1988 Return of the Killer Tomatoes Matt Stevens 1989 Red Surf Remar 1992 Unbecoming Age Mac 1993 The Harvest Lip Syncing Transvestite Cameo   1996 From Dusk […]

Ripley’s Game (2002): Liliana Cavani’s Version of Patricia Highsmith, Starring John Malkovich, Dougray Scott, Ray Winstone, Lena Headey

There have been several Ripley films, such as the French Purple Noon (my favorite due to star Alain Delon)), Wim Wenders’ The American Friend (the most brilliant), and Anthomy Minghella’s The Talented Mr. Ripley (the most lavished production). And now comes Ripley’s Game, Liliana Cavani’s efficient (if not more) adaptation, which is suspenseful, but stumbles […]

Cannes Film Fest: sex, lies & videotape, Controversial Winners

Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989) Steven Soderbergh’s breakthrough had a glorious debut at Sundance Fest, winning the Audience Award, then went on to Cannes, where it took the Palme d’Or and the FIPRESCI Prize.   Photograph: Courtesy Swank Motion Pictures No one complained—except for Spike Lee, who clearly felt his film, Do the Right Thing was […]

Cannes Film Fest: Taxi Driver, Controversial Winners

Taxi Driver (1976) Now it seems like an example of a jury doing their job perfectly right—awarding Martin Scorsese’s powder keg the Palme d’Or. But the boos at screenings were vociferous, and even jury chair Tennessee Williams held the movie at a distasteful arm’s length, telling reporters, “Films should not take a voluptuous pleasure in […]

Crimes of the Future (1970): Cronenberg’s First Film

Having nothing in common with his 2022 film of the same name, the 1970 “Crimes of the Future” is an early artifact of Cronenberg’s obsessions with flesh and sex.