Auteurism: Revolutionary Impact of Andrew Sarris’ French-American Perspective
As a perspective, auteurism has proven its pervasive usefulness and radical impact with a number of theoretical and practical results that evolved out of its revolutionary ideas.
Thirty Day Princess (1934): Pre-Code Cmedy, Starring Sylvia Sidney, Cary Grant and Edward Arnold
Marion Gering directed Thirty Day Princess, a pre-Code comedy, starring Sylvia Sidney in a dual role, Cary Grant in a thankless part, and Edward Arnold as second banana. The film was based on a story of the same name by Clarence Budington Kelland in Ladies’ Home Journal in 1933), adapted by Sam Hellman and Edwin […]
Executive Action (1973): David Miller’s Conspiracy Thriller of Kennedy’s Assassination, Starring Burt Lancaster and Robert Ryan
David Miller directed Executive Action, a conspiracy thriller about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, written by Dalton Trumbo, Mark Lane, and Donald Freed, starring Burt Lancaster and Robert Ryan.
Dear Mr. Brody: Keith (“Tower”) Maitland’s Psychedelic Journey (Telluride)
In January 1970, hippie-millionaire Michael Brody Jr., the 21-year-old heir to a margarine fortune, announced that he would personally usher in a new era of peace and love by giving away his $25-million inheritance to anyone in need.
Tarnished Angel (1938): Leslie Goodwins’ B-Level Musical, Starring Ann Miller
Leslie Goodwins directed Tarnished Angel, a B-level musical scripted by Jo Pagano, based on a story by Saul Elkins. Starring Sally Eilers, Lee Bowman, Ann Miller, and Alma Kruger, the film was produced and distributed by RKO and released on October 28, 1938. Cast Sally Eilers as Carol Vinson Lee Bowman as Paul Montgomery Ann […]
Ratched: Ryan Murphy Discusses his Prequel to the 1975 Best Picture Oscar Winner, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Starring Sarah Paulson
Ratched: Ryan Murphy’s Prequel to the 1975 Best Picture Oscar Winner, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Starring Sarah Paulson
Mulan: to Stream Disney+ in the U.S. at Premium Price
‘Mulan’ to Stream Disney+ in the U.S. at Premium Price
She Dies Tomorrow: Thriller Written, Directed, Produced by Amy Seimetz
Written, directed, and produced by Amy Seimetz, She Dies Tomorrow is a rather provocative thriller that tackles some common anxieties.
Carlito’s Way (1993): De Palma’s Crime Drama, Starring Al Pacino, Sean Penn and Penelope Ann Miller
Brian De Palma directed Carlito’s Way, an ultra-violent crime drama, based on the novels Carlito’s Way (1975) and After Hours (1979) by Judge Edwin Torres. The superb secondary cast includes Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller, Luis Guzman, John Leguizamo, Jorge Porcel, Joseph Siravo and Viggo Mortensen. The film stars Al Pacino as Carlito Brigante, a […]
Down to Earth (1947): Hall’s Musical Sequel to Here Comes Mr. Jordan, Starring Rita Hayworth and Larry Parks
Alexander Hall directed Down to Earth, a musical comedy starring Rita Hayworth and Larry Parks, a sequel to his Oscar nominated Here Comes Mr. Jordan of 1941.
Affectionately Yours (1941): Lloyd Bacon’s Romantic Comedy, Merle Oberon, Dennis Morgan, and Rita Hayworth (Comedy of Remarriage)
Prolific Warner contract director Lloyd Bacon made Affectionately Yours, a romantic comedy starring Merle Oberon, Dennis Morgan, and Rita Hayworth.
Along Came a Spider (2001): Lee Tamahori’s Thriller, Starring Morgan Freeman
Lee Tamahori directed Along Came a Spider, a psychological thriller that’s the second installment in the Alex Cross film series, and a sequel to the 1997 Kiss the Girls, with Morgan Freeman reprising his role as detective Alex Cross.
Fine Pair, A (1968): Maselli’s Unfunny Crime-Comedy, Starring Rock Hudson and Claudia Cardinale
One of Rock Hudson’s worst movies, A Fine Pair (original title Ruba al prossimo tuo), the Italian crime-comedy directed by Francesco Maselli, pairs him with Claudia Cardinale.
Hollywood 2020: President Trump’s Earnings from Film, TV, Pensions
President Trump still earns substantial income from his three decades of work in film and TV productions, according to his 2019 financial disclosure forms.
Disciple, The: Cuaron Exec-Producer of Chaitanya Tamhane’s Second Film, First Indian Feature in Major Fest (Venice)
Chaitanya Tamhane’s The Disciple will be the first Indian film in almost 20 years chosen to play in main competition at any of the three major European films festivals— Berlin, Cannes and Venice.
End of the F***ing World, The: British Series Wins Best Drama from BAFTA
The End of the F***ing World, the dark British comedy-drama TV series, based on a graphic novel of the same name by Charles Forsman, won the 2020 BAFTA Award for Best Drama.
Oscar Directors: Parker, Alan–Two-Time Oscar Nominee (Midnight Express, Mississippi Burning) Dies at 76
Parker, who directed 14 features and wrote six of them, loved music-driven films: Bugsy Malone (1976), Fame (1980), Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982), The Commitments (1991) and Evita (1996), with Madonna as Eva Perón. “If you can use music and images together, it’s very powerful,” he noted in 1995.
Just the Way You Are (1984): Édouard (La Cage aux Folles) Molinaro’s Dramedy Starring Kristy McNichol (Strangers in Paradise)
French director Édouard Molinaro, best known for La Cage Aux Folles, directed Just the Way You Are, a predictable, banal dramedy starring Kristy McNichol and Michael Ontkean. Our Grade: C- (* out of *****) Just the Way You Are Susan, a professional flautist in Boston handicapped since childhood, is forced to wear a leg brace. […]
Great Day in the Morning (1956): Jacques Tourneur’s Technicolor Western, Starring Virginia Mayo, Robert Stack, and Ruth Roman
Jacques Tourneur, better known for his noir and horror films, helmed Great Day in the Morning, a B-level Technicolor Superscope Western, starring Virginia Mayo, Robert Stack, and Ruth Roman.
One Night in Miami: Amazon Acquires Feature Directing Debut of Oscar Winning Actress Regina King
Based on the 2013 stage play by Kemp Powers, the movie is set on the night of February 25, 1964, and follows a young Cassius Clay (Eli Goree)— before he became Muhammad Ali— as he emerges from the Miami Beach Convention Center the new World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. Against all odds, he defeated Sonny Liston and shocked the sports world.
