A New York Noir with Modern Implications – Motherless Brooklyn

After the release of American History X, Edward Norton read Jonathan Lethem's novel, "Motherless Brooklyn," and immediately secured the movie rights. It took over 20 years, but the passion project has finally come to fruition. Starring, writing, and directing the film, Norton wears many hats (including a MacGuffin one) in this throwback to the classic film … Continue reading A New York Noir with Modern Implications – Motherless Brooklyn →

The Reich Stuff – Jojo Rabbit

One of the old jokes about the entertainment industry is how a TV show like Hogan's Heroes got green lit. The telling varies, but it basically boils down to imagining a pitch meeting where someone goes, "It's set in a Nazi POW camp... AND IT'S A COMEDY!" I was thinking about that gag a lot as … Continue reading The Reich Stuff – Jojo Rabbit →

I’d Rather Just Listen to AC/DC – The Current War

Alfonso Gomez-Rejon's historical drama, The Current War, has had a post-production and release schedule almost as unpredictable and dangerous as the electrical pulses running through the crux of the main plot. Originally screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017, it was critically panned (31% on Rotten Tomatoes) and its wide release delayed indefinitely due … Continue reading I’d Rather Just Listen to AC/DC – The Current War →

Sit Back and Let The Boss Sing to You – Western Stars

"This is my 19th album, and I'm still writing songs about cars." So says the legendary Bruce Springsteen in the new music documentary/concert film, Western Stars, a performance of his latest album of the same name. Inspired by what he calls "Southern California pop music" infused with heavy country influences and his usual heartfelt empathy for … Continue reading Sit Back and Let The Boss Sing to You – Western Stars →

Pedro Votes for Himself – Pain and Glory

It is a rare thing that I get to see any national submissions for Best International Feature Film (formerly Foreign Language) before the Academy narrows the dozens of films down to the shortlist, and oftentimes I have to wait until the actual Oscar nominations come out and scramble. It's usually one of the last categories … Continue reading Pedro Votes for Himself – Pain and Glory →