the finest film fanaticism on this blog
What does a biopic owe an audience? Nothing, really. Or rather, I am of the mindset that a biopic owes us nothing more than any other film. Concrete veracity is secondary to emotional or intellectual honesty. So, while I'm often tempted, or even prone to harp on films that don't respect history insofar as those … Continue reading Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) – dir. Bryan Singer
At the time of this writing, Valentine's Day is tomorrow. A day for folks to celebrate their romantic love for one another. I, as well as millions of others, are alone. Now, I wouldn't say I'm particularly bitter. Valentine's Day is no more of a reminder than any other that I don't really have anyone … Continue reading Your Name. (2016) – dir. Makoto Shinkai
We’re always being watched. And we know this, don’t we? We now live in a post-Snowden world where we’re aware of the NSA spying on us through our laptop webcams and the tiny receivers of our cell phones. And even if the population at large isn’t so directly keeping a Big-Brother-esque eye on us, our … Continue reading The Conversation (1974) – dir. Francis Ford Coppola
One of the oddest comforts of romantic love is the expectation that conflict is inevitable. Most love stories are only somewhat aware of this. Couples bicker early on--perhaps disliking one another on the onset--only to overcome their own hangups and surrender to the heart. And the story ends before we get a chance to see … Continue reading Cold War (2018) – dir. Pawel Pawlikowski
I often struggle with revisiting things from my childhood, particularly movies or music that I no longer go out of my way to watch or listen to. Yeah, I still love most Pixar and The Cure or whoever, but I can't say I'm in love with Cutthroat Island or N*Sync like I was when I was … Continue reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) – dir. Miloš Forman
I take a lot of issue with postmodernism. This includes satire, meta-humor, or anything rooted in nostalgia for the sake of nostalgia. Few stories in this vein can get passed their own self-satisfaction, and exist simply to exist. Deconstruction, or at least truth without insight, is meaningless if a story has nothing to put in … Continue reading Bandits (2001) – dir. Barry Levinson
I will never forget being 14 years old, and listening to "Brothers on a Hotel Bed" all the way through for the first time. My mother had bought me Death Cab for Cutie's Plans a few years earlier as an Easter present. I had never listened to the whole thing all the way through--only the singles "Soul … Continue reading Blinded by the Light (2019) – dir. Gurhinder Chadha
Filmmaking, like any major endeavor, is ultimately a shot in the dark—especially with poor lighting. No matter the artist—be they as fastidious as Brian de Palma, or as improvisational as Hayao Miyazaki—no one knows what a film is until the final edit. This is never more true than for documentary production. Part of what makes … Continue reading Hoop Dreams (1994) – dir. Steve James
Day three of Sundance! Today offered another fine crop of films, with some real gems. And one or two that will almost certainly make a splash later in the year. To the Stars (2019) - dir. Martha Stephens A coming-of-age story in the blatant tradition of The Last Picture Show--with a hint of In Cold Blood--To the Stars is … Continue reading SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2019 – Day 3
Before I get into any criticism, I have to thank my family--specifically my mom, my grandma, my aunts, and my uncles who all made this festival possible for me. For anyone who has ever read this site, my love of movies is quite great. And being from Utah, Sundance is the dream. To have one … Continue reading SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2019 – Days 1 & 2
Pop Culture Shock 