FIREBRAND (R) Dir. Karim Aïnouz A film that is divorced of history and beheaded of meaning but manages to just about survive, but without much fanfare… C+ Karim Aïnouz’s Firebrand is a frustratingly peculiar film as dramas go; with a composition of luscious lighting and camera work paired with club-footed dialogue and an anemic script, […]
This film might have had potential, but it needed disciplined editing; way too many dramatic elements were included, resulting in a hodgepodge that strains credulity, especially at the end. Antonio (Chon) is a tattoo artist who has trouble finding a job to support his wife Kathy (Vikander) and their two children, one a newborn. He often
Apparently, few read or studied Sir Gawain and The Green Knight in school, not that familiarity with the material will make or break your experience with David Lowery’s version. You’ve likely seen a film or two by director David Lowery: A Ghost Story, Pete’s Dragon, The Old Man and the Gun, and Ain’t Them Bodies
Too young to remember writer, feminist, and political activist Gloria Steinem? This film by Julie Taymor (“Frida”), based on Steinem’s autobiography, not only documents her achievements but her struggle along the way. Taymor doesn’t give you a run-of-the-mill biopic, which is based on Steinem’s recent book. “The Glorias” aims for the details you don’t know
Roger Ebert said, “No one can play Lara Croft like Angelina Jolie”. It turns out, he was right. Academy Award Winner Alicia Vikander (“The Danish Girl”) has struggled to find her place in Hollywood after winning such acclaim at an early age. The “Tomb Raider” reboot or prequel, is the first film to sit squarely
The theme at TIFF this year is female filmmakers, which is why the latest film starring and produced by Oscar winner Alicia Vikander was on my list of must-see titles. Making its world premiere here in Canada, and looking for American distribution; Midway in, the full house of press started checking their phones. The walk-outs
An epic novel, Western Australia, a lighthouse, and Oscar winner Alicia Vikander (“The Danish Girl”) seemed like the perfect recipe (at least for me) for one of the best films of the year. When the emotionally riveting trailer for “The Light Between Oceans” debuted in spring, it seemed director Derek Cianfrance might have another Oscar
The Bourne series which began in 2002 with director Doug Liman instantly became Oscar winner Matt Damon’s most successful acting venture. The 2004 sequel “The Bourne Supremacy” was handed over to director Paul Greengrass (“United 93”, “Captain Phillips”) who revitalized the series. Greengrass returned to finish out the trilogy in “The Bourne Ultimatum” (2007), but
2015 has been a watershed year when it comes to transgender equality, and the motion picture industry has played its part with a number of important films this year exploring the issue.
Bradley Cooper starred in one of the biggest films last year, could have taken any project he wanted, but the four time Oscar nominated actor/producer lands in a cooking film. For something so specific, there sure are a lot of motion pictures circulating around chefs and food.