Monthly Archives: November 2012

Blockbuster Dustup: Skyfall v. Dark Knight

You know something’s a little off in the movie world when Steven Spielberg’s awards season release has united cinephiles and critics alike by being described as “transfixing,” “introspective,” and “incendiary.” Now, the last major movies expected to hit multiplexes are … Continue reading

Posted in Dark Knight, Films, Movies, Prometheus, The Avengers, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Two Lincoln Clips

Lincoln has already opened in select cities and critics are pretty much over the moon about it. Audiences seem to be taking to Spielberg’s film as well. This one might be the not-so-subtle frontrunner for Best Picture. Time will tell. … Continue reading

Posted in Films, Lincoln, Movies, Trailers | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Exploring Hitch and Alma

Here’s a very nice look at Sasha Gervasi’s Hitchcock. Going into more detail about the basic conceit of the picture than the trailer, this piece illuminates the filmmaker’s approach to Hitch’s critical personal and professional relationship with his wife, Alma. … Continue reading

Posted in Anna Karenina, Films, Hitchcock, Movies, News, Trailers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Bond Newbie’s Thoughts on 007: Skyfall

I initially planned to wait until after I had seen all the Bond movies before writing about Skyfall. But I’m not nearly as far along in my Bond movie marathon as I had hoped, Skyfall’s fresh in my mind, and … Continue reading

Posted in 007, Films, James Bond, Movies, Reviews, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Simpsons Short Makes Academy List

The Academy Awards yesterday announced the list of Animated Short Films that will compete for a nomination. Included are the annual Disney entry, Paperman, and work from a handful of film schools around the world, such as Head over Heels … Continue reading

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Those Oscar Missed: Best Visual Effects

GUEST COLUMN BY JAKE THOMPSON Visual Effects can be a difficult category to predict sometimes.  In a given year, the most obvious of choices will deservedly get nominated.  But every now and then, one of the nominees will make us … Continue reading

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The Pensive Fairy Tale of Le Havre

‘Just think, they never sleep!’ ‘And why not?’ ‘Because they never get tired.’ ‘And why not?’ ‘Because they’re fools.’ ‘Don’t fools get tired?’ ‘How could fools get tired!’ – Franz Kafka, Children on a Country Road As an American considering … Continue reading

Posted in Aki Kaurismaki, Films, Le Havre, Movies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Russell Crowe Sings in New Les Misérables Trailer

Tom Hooper and cinematographer Danny Cohen sure do like short-sided frames and 14mm lenses. The compositions were my favorite part of what I found to be an otherwise pat experience in The King’s Speech. Similarly, Les Misérables risks looking quite stuffy … Continue reading

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Michael Haneke’s Amour

Sometimes the value of a movie can’t be explained in the typical words we use to generally analyze. Sometimes a film ascends the notion of plot, story, narrative, or driving action to be something entirely emotional. Something that cuts deeper. … Continue reading

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Zemeckis’ Flight Sounds

I remember being a kid and for the first time recognizing that the sound in a movie was “made up.” That was while watching Robert Zemeckis’ Death Becomes Her. It might sound like an insult, but really I think it’s … Continue reading

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