Sidney Lumet was a master of cinema. His contributions to cinema are forever cemented in the films he directed – from Network, one of the greatest films of all time, to Dog Day Afternoon, a star-making turn for Al Pacino (which really says something considering he starred in two Godfather movies before this) and everything from play…
An Appreciation of…Christopher Guest (1948 – )
I want to pay tribute this week to one of the greatest artists in cinema history who I feel is painfully underrated and doesn’t receive the popular acclaim he does. That is why this week, I am Appreciating the great Christopher Guest… In recent years, our most popular comedy shows have all been mockumentaries –…
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
As long as I’ve been alive, I’ve been hearing stories about different people becoming attached and detached to an adaptation of the classic short story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty which was turned into a 1947 Danny Kaye comedy. Since then, the likes of Jim Carrey, Owen Wilson, Sacha Baron Cohen and Mike Myers were…
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
When cinephiles of the future look fondly to the past, there will be certain filmmakers who have made such an indelible impression, they have changed cinema and the extent to where we can push it. Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Howard Hawks. The one person who would be right on top of that list is Martin…
An Appreciation of…Philip Seymour Hoffman (1967 – 2014)
The cinema world mourns the death of one of the greatest actors in history Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death was cut short due to the misuse and abuse of drugs. This proves how dangerous drugs are in destroying an artist’s potential. It is not right to blame him for his death, because the demons this man…
71st Golden Globe Predictions
Here are my predictions for tonight’s 71st Golden Globe Awards: OUTSTANDING MOTION PICTURE: DRAMA: Winner: Gravity Spoiler: 12 Years A Slave Dark Horse: Captain Phillips OUTSTANDING MOTION PICTURE: COMEDY OR MUSICAL: Winner: American Hustle Spoiler: The Wolf of Wall Street Dark Horse: Nebraska OUTSTANDING ACTOR: MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA: Winner: Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A…
12 Years a Slave (2013)
The measure of a great film is one that not only entertains but also allows a degree of discussion to happen between audiences about the messages of those films. One film that has caused a lot of discussion in the masterpiece 12 Years a Slave. While not in any way a perfect film, 12 Years…
Scary Movie 5 (2013)
Parody, satire, spoof – these are words commonly thrown around by filmmakers and comedians in regards to their art that lampoons various subjects in one of the most beloved forms of artistic expression. The Scary Movie series of films warrant no artistic merit. They are just plain terrible. But like you can’t stop touching a…
The State of the Oscars…Best Actor
There is no greater acting award in Hollywood as a Best Actor or Actress Academy Award. Sure, the Supporting awards are also very prestigious, but a leading Oscar implies you carried a film with a brilliant performance. This year, we have a great set of potential nominees. Here are my top ten choices for Best…
We’re The Millers (2013)
Only recently have mainstream comedies merged with their dramatic counterparts and entered the public consciousness. One film such as We’re The Millers feels like an independent film in a mainstream film’s body. This both works in its favor and betrays it dismally. Drugs – man, what a hot-button topic. However, the film doesn’t gain its…
The Postmodern Pelican 