I've mentioned in two recent posts some particular shortfalls in the adaptation process. The first, as it related to Freud's Last Session, was the fact that if you adapt a stage show to the screen, you have to make it look and feel like it's not a stage show, otherwise you lose any semblance of … Continue reading Resigned Celie, Delivered – The Color Purple
If you're a regular reader, you know that I have a few default settings when it comes to how I judge movies. Like any human being I'm not always 100% consistent in my takes, as one, there are exceptions to every rule, and two, sometimes I just forget in the moment depending on how a … Continue reading A Shot Across Disney’s Bow – Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken
Come on, how could I not preface the Independent Spirit Awards with a reference to quite possibly the greatest independent film of all time? The moment has come at last, and Awards Season is truly and officially underway with the first major announcement of nominees. Yes, technically the Golden Globe nods came out first with … Continue reading I’m 37?! – 37th Independent Spirit Nominees Announced
Damn, this has been a busy week so far, and it's only Thursday. Awards Season got itself into full swing basically overnight, and already I'm doing my best to keep up. For example, over the last 48 hours I've been trying to get a handle on foreign films in anticipation of the Academy's announcement of … Continue reading Spirit Fingers, Everyone! – 36th Independent Spirit Nominations
It's a rare thing when an actor gives a performance that truly feels otherworldly, as if they're so lost in a role that nothing could extricate them from the moment. It can reach deep within your own being as a viewer, even if you have no real-life connection to the character. It's transformative in a … Continue reading When Levee Breaks – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
In his relatively short career, director Barry Jenkins has already proven himself a master of the artistic craft of filmmaking. Despite the snafu at the Oscars last year, he earned all the accolades for Moonlight, including a well-deserved win for Best Picture (I voted for La La Land, but I was still quite happy with the result). … Continue reading It Would Say, “See This Brilliant Movie!” – If Beale Street Could Talk
I Actually Paid To See This 