Billy Wilder’s approach to cinema was nothing short of exhilarating, with the stories he told and their vibrant execution being highlights of the period in which he was active, which mercifully stretches nearly half a century. Even when doing something decisively minor in terms of tone or storyline, he always found ways to make his…
The Five Heartbeats (1991)
One of the most encouraging and motivational stories of a filmmaker rising above adversity to have his work produced is found in the career of Robert Townsend, whose film Hollywood Shuffle is the epitome of tenacity. Profoundly dedicated to the premise, Townsend not only made the film on a shoestring budget, but whatever resources went…
May December (2023)
Reality is often stranger than fiction, and few contemporary filmmakers understand this better than Todd Haynes, who has made a career from taking inspiration from real-life figures or entire periods in the past and repurposing them into masterful examinations of the human condition, each one beautifully handcrafted by a director who has consistently proven his…
American Symphony (2023)
“What we love about music is not that it sounds good – what we love about music is that it sounds inevitable” Music has always been a part of Jon Batiste’s personal and professional life, and few contemporary artists seem to have their entire existence revolve around the art of creation quite as much as…
History of the World, Part I (1981)
There are many reasons to appreciate Mel Brooks, but his sense of humour is perhaps the most important, and he built an entire career out of his quick wit and ability to make any subject funny. The story of how he came up with History of the World, Part I is one of the most…
Wish (2023)
Perhaps it is presumptuous, but it’s entirely possible that anyone reading this grew up at least aware of Disney. We have gotten to a point where the studio is now older than the vast majority of the global population, which is both a thrilling fact, and an opportunity to reflect on what this company has…
The Front Page (1974)
If you have been reading here for a while, you will undoubtedly know about my fondness for The Front Page, the magnificent play by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur which is perhaps the finest piece of comedic theatre to come out of the first half of the 20th century, and like any well-received production, it…
Napoleon (2023)
Despite having passed away nearly a quarter of a century ago, the spectre of Stanley Kubrick lingers heavily over the contemporary film industry – either it is a case of his iconic work being references or influencing the visual and narrative style of those who are inspired by his films, or we see projects that…
Rhubarb (1951)
One has to wonder whether when he made his notorious quip about his preference for screen partners (“never work with children or animals”), W.C. Fields truly understood how some of the most interesting performances in film history have come from these unexpected sources. Of course, his cynicism was not unfounded, and for the most part,…
The Holdovers (2023)
There is a difference between being alone and being isolated, which is something that many of us encounter at some point in our lives. For the characters in The Holdovers, this takes on a new meaning over their Christmas break, when the majority of staff and students depart the hallowed halls of a prestigious New…
