Rembrandt is a 1930's era biopic about the latter part of the artists life, with Charles Laughton starring. This film was a fun one to talk about. It features a husband and wife playing a couple on screen, which is always fun, and it also has a really interesting visual style, inspired by the artist.… Continue reading Classic Movie: Rembrandt (1936)
Starring: Sissy Spacek, Tommy Lee Jones, Beverly D'Angelo Director: Michael Apted The adaptation of Loretta Lynn's bestselling memoir, Coal Miner's Daughter is brimming with music and drama. From rags to riches, Loretta was a reluctant star, pushed into the limelight by her husband, who she married at 13. It's a remarkable story, watch my review… Continue reading Classic Movie: Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980)
Starring: Sally Field, Beau Bridges, Ron Leibman Director: Martin Ritt Sally Field is Norma Rae, a woman who lives in a small town where everyone works in a textile factory. She's holding together life as a single mother when the mill work starts to effect the health of her family. She fights for change by… Continue reading Classic Movie: Norma Rae (1979)
Starring: Tom Cruise, Sarah Wright, Domhnall Gleeson, Caleb Landry Jones Director: Doug Liman Barry Seal (Cruise) was a TWA pilot in the 1980's, who flew missions for the CIA into South America, and became involved in drug smuggling for the Medellin Cartel. He played a dangerous game of playing to two sides off each other… Continue reading American Made (2017)
As you may know, this year I set the goal of reading one biography per month, and this month goes to Orson Welles, actor, director, writer and wunderkind, 1915 - 1985. The biography is Rosebud by David Thomson. Where does one even begin to talk about Orson Welles? He's a huge figure on the landscape… Continue reading Biography Of The Month: Orson Welles
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaugn, Sam Worthington, Hugo Weaving, Teresa Palmer Director: Mel Gibson Mel Gibson directs this true story of a man, Desmond Doss (Garfield), who signed up to fight in WWII, but who could not carry a gun under religious principles. It's a remarkable story, as the first half we see how hard… Continue reading Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Starring: Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup, John Hurt, Richard E Grant. Director: Pablo Larrain Jackie Kennedy (Portman) struggles to deal with the grief and trauma of her husband's assassination while fighting to have a funeral that will establish his legacy. Jackie O is a figure of elegance and class, and to me… Continue reading Jackie (2016)
Starring: Rebecca Hall, Michael C Hall, Tracy Letts, Maria Dizzia Director: Antonio Campos In 1970's Florida, Christine Chubbuck (Rebecca Hall) a broadcast news journalist, shot herself on live TV. This film shows the events leading up to her tragic decision. Christine was a woman struggling with depression, isolation and her need to succeed as a… Continue reading Preview: Christine (2016) with Q&A with star Rebecca Hall.
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Director: Steven Spielberg, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt With a huge cast, and it's wonderful evocation of a bygone era, Lincoln focuses on the beloved president at a point during the American Civil War when both sides were looking for peace and an end to suffering, but the bill that would… Continue reading 105 Must See Films: Lincoln (2012)
Starring: O'Shea Jackson Jr, Corey Hawkins, Neil Brown Jr, Jason Mitchell, Aldis Hodge Director: F Gary Gray Energetic and powerful, this film tells the story of the hip hop group NWA, from their inception to huge fame, and on into their subsequent solo success. It's a passionate film, with excellent performances from all the leads, who… Continue reading Straight Outta Compton (2015)
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