The Social Network
Three weeks ago, my knowledge of The Social Network would’ve boiled down to “Oh right, someone’s making a Facebook movie.” Somehow, despite the presence of David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin, the movie wasn’t even on my radar’s radar, let alone any must-see list. Then, the hype machine kicked into high gear, and reviews started describing … Continue reading
TIFF trailings
A few more to add to the list. I only have one more industry screening after this, but I may try to rush a public screening of the Herzog doc (good luck without getting there three hours early) and one or two others over the weekend. It’s a bit of a bummer getting here too … Continue reading
TIFF – A late start
As I type this, I’m in the TIFF Industry Lounge during Happy Hour – it’s daily free drinks for all industry types, which means it’s bustling, but I’m doing my damnedest to avoid anything resembling socializing or networking. Except in the sense that blogging is “social networking,” but let’s never mind that. Despite the complete … Continue reading
The Oscars Project: Belated Week 15 — The Godfather
For 82 years, the Academy Awards have purported to choose the year’s best film. For the next year, with the help of the fine folks at Casablanca Video and the Calgary Public Library, I’ll be watching one best picture winner per week, starting 52 years ago and working up to tonight’s winner. Some of the … Continue reading
The Oscars Project: Week 14 — The French Connection
But efficiency and action don’t usually translate into a Best Picture. If they did, Taken would have brought home a trophy last year (which, for the record, would have been awesome). So, how did The French Connection manage to win?
The Oscars Project: Week 13 — Patton
For 82 years, the Academy Awards have purported to choose the year’s best film. For the next year, with the help of the good folks at Casablanca Video and the Calgary Public Library, I’ll be watching one best picture winner per week, starting 52 years ago and working up to The Hurt Locker. Some of … Continue reading
Beyond Prometheus: An interview with Vincenzo Natali of Splice
I just think we’re beyond the Promethean myth. We’re no longer having to question whether this technology should exist or not. We’re not questioning whether we should be stealing fire from the gods — that’s already happened. It’s simply a matter of questioning how to apply that technology in a way that will do maximum good and minimum harm.
The Oscars Project: Week 12 — Midnight Cowboy
For 82 years, the Academy Awards have purported to choose the year’s best film. For the next year, I’ll be watching one best picture winner per week, starting 52 years ago and working up to The Hurt Locker. Some of the films are rightly regarded as classics. Others, decidedly less so. But each of them … Continue reading
Owl a good story poorly told
There are few things in film more frustrating than a good idea poorly executed. Psychological thriller The Cry of the Owl practically oozes potential — and even manages to salvage some of it by the end — but it’s ultimately sunk by an awkward script and a flat lead performance. The promise comes from the … Continue reading
The Oscars Project: Week 11 — Oliver!
The era of the honest, straightforward musical has passed. It’s like we’ve somehow forgotten their language. The idea of crowds bursting into song has been parodied so often, audiences can’t accept it as anything but ridiculous. In a way, it’s a mixed blessing — it means that the next Dr. Strangelove or The Hustler won’t be beaten by My Fair Lady or West Side Story (and that’s not mentioning 2001, which came out the same year as Oliver! and didn’t even get a nomination), but it’s like a whole avenue of cinema has been cut off.
The Consumption 