London Film Festival Review: Pablo Larraín’s ‘Spencer’
“There is a general sense of otherworldliness that feels enrapturing in ‘Spencer,’ even if Larraín stumbles while addressing the heavier themes.”
Of Netflix, Napoleon and the French Film Heritage
How did the French film industry suddenly change its attitude towards Netflix? And how did Netflix become an advocate for film heritage preservation? Here’s a report by Alina Hirschhausen.
Review: Ting Poo and Leo Scott’s ‘Val’
“Kilmer’s personal observations and insights are always engaging in ‘Val’ and occasionally yield details and particulars that allow viewers to peek behind the curtain of fame.”
Review: Soleil Moon Frye’s ‘Kid 90’
“‘Kid 90’ is a story that could have used more unguarded introspection.”
Soundtracks of Cinema: ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’
‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ Soundtrack: A Vague Visages guide for every featured song in Jonathan Butterell’s 2021 Amazon Prime movie.
Know the Cast: ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’
‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ Cast: A Vague Visages guide for every main performer and character in the 2021 Amazon Prime movie.
Soundtracks of Television: ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’
‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’ Soundtrack – A Vague Visages guide for every featured song in the FX series about the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal.
Know the Cast: ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’
‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’ Cast: A Vague Visages guide for every main performer and character in the 2021 FX series.
Know the Cast: ‘Worth’
‘Worth’ Cast: A Vague Visages guide for every main performer and character in Sara Colangelo’s 2021 Netflix movie.
Mannhunting: Exploring Masculinity in the Films of Michael Mann – Part Four
“Masculinity in Mann’s world is its own prison, a conundrum of duality, a question of what someone will stand for and the masks they may wear while striving for an identity.”
Mannhunting: Exploring Masculinity in the Films of Michael Mann – Part Three
Mannhunting #3 by Bill Bria (‘Ali,’ ‘The Insider’ and ‘Collateral’)
Review: Rob Garver’s ‘What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael’
“Rob Garver’s ‘What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael’ is a worthwhile biography of a fascinating life led with purpose and conviction.”
BFI Flare Review: Oskar Roehler’s ‘Enfant Terrible’
“‘Enfant Terrible’ is one of the more successful examples of a director biopic, but the familiar conventions of the genre eventually do a disservice to such a talented filmmaker.”
Göteborg Film Festival Review: Zaida Bergroth’s ‘Tove’
“‘Tove’ is a tribute to all creatives who pursue their passion projects, and applauds those who are able to break free from bindings.”
The Code Complex: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jim Carroll and ‘The Basketball Diaries’
“DiCaprio’s early 90s accomplishments have been widely dismissed or ignored ever since Titanic’s Jack Dawson become a beloved movie figure amongst parents and their nostalgia-loving kids.”
Review: David Fincher’s ‘Mank’
“‘Mank’ is just the latest installment in Netflix’s self-concious branding strategy.”
An Interview with ‘Scam 1992’ Filmmaker Hansal Mehta
Dipankar Sarkar Interviews ‘Scam 1992’ Filmmaker Hansal Mehta
‘Bandit Queen’: The Callous World of Caste, Identity and Blood
“Despite being mired in controversy, ‘Bandit Queen’ is one of the finest films made in India that pushes the envelope of cinematic excellence.”
London Film Festival Review: Francis Lee’s ‘Ammonite’
“Lee has, over his two films so far, proven a dab hand at teasing out unexpressed, furtive desires, depicting both the visceral emotions and gritty physicality of same-sex romance with empathy and an understated artistic flair.”
Review: Spike Jonze’s ‘Beastie Boys Story’
“If you listen to Beastie Boys, Jonze’s technique — a familiar blend of rough and smooth, high tech and low tech — comes correct. If you don’t listen to Beastie Boys, the movie serves as a biographical and musical introduction.”