Ratatouille (2007): Best Animations of the Decade
After convincing children that their toys were alive, and painting imaginative worlds for insects, cars, monsters under beds, fish, and superheroes, Pixar took a bold step by telling the story of gourmet rat. Remy and Linguini in Pixar’s Ratatouille© Provided by ScreenRant Ratatouille – directed by Brad Bird and Jan Pinkava – is a gentle meditation […]
Intolerance (1916): D.W. Griffith’s Historical Epic, One of Hollywood’s Most Influential Film (Masterpieces of World Cinema)
Due to its epic scale and visual style, Intolerance is considered one of the most influential films of the silent film era.
Death in Hollywood: Christopher Durang, Playwright and Tony Winner for “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” Dies at 75
The master of satire and black comedy won a Tony Award for ‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’ and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist with ‘Miss Witherspoon.’
Gone Girl (2014): David Fincher’s Well Crafted Thriller, Based on Gillian Flynn’s Trashy Novel (Movie Ending–Cynical, Unbelievable)
Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl follows Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) after his wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), goes missing. A media storm erupts around him as revelations about Nick’s infidelity lead the media, and the audience, to suspect that he murdered Amy. The film, however, shockingly reveals that […]
Midsommar (2019): Ari Aster’s Suspenseful Tale (Cult, Powerful Movie Ending)
Set in a scenic landscape, the tale begins as a serene escape for the group, until it becomes clear that the village is a cult that’s intent on killing the travelers as part of a ritual.
Indie Directors: Bill Duke, “The Killing Floor,” “A Rage in Harlem”
Bill Duke’s first film as director was presented at the Semaine de la critique of the 1985 Cannes Film Fest.
Masterpieces of World Cinema: Rossellini’s “Rome, Open City” (1945)
A masterpiece of Italian neorealism, Rome, Open City is the first of a neorealist trilogy by director Roberto Rossellini.
Stonewalling: Huang Ji and Ryuji Otsuka’s Portrait of a Young Woman in Perpetual Crisis
Stonewalling is the third and final panel in a trilogy that includes Egg and Stone (2012) and The Foolish Bird (2017), all films about what it means to be a young woman in contemporary China.
Film Theory: Screen Types–Heroes and Villains (Notes)
Research in progress, March 22, 2024 The attempt to create a hero for mass audience isa major challenge. On the Waterfront: Terry Malloy is alienated, a bum who must develop consciousness and responsibility in order to become a real man. American heroes are simpler than European ones. In Europe, they are more human, weak, wise, […]
Battle Beyond The Stars (1980): Jimmy T. Murakami’s Adventure, Written by John Sayles
This Roger Corman-produced mash-up of Star Wars and The Seven Samurai concerns seven intergalactic mercenaries teaming up to defend a peaceful planet from the evil tyrant Sador (John Saxon).