Doc Corner: Oscar-nominated 'Streetwise' and its 35-years-later sequel

By Glenn Dunks

For a film about teenagers living rough, squatting in dilapidated and abandoned hotels or homeless on the streets, there is a remarkable amount of poetic beauty in Streetwise. The work of director Martin Bell (American Heart) was born out of a Life exposé called “Streets of the Lost” by his photographer wife (also noted as a film still photographer) Mary Ellen Mark and journalist Cheryl McCall and it is the latter pair’s continued relationship with the runaway teenagers who populate its intimate yet sprawling narrative that was so essential to Bell being given the remarkable access that Streetwise offers.

Originally released in 1984 and now restored for its 35th anniversary, Bell’s documentary was nominated for an Academy Award. And it probably would have won, too, had it not been for The Times of Harvey Milk. So not quite as egregious of a loss as I had assumed as I sat stunned through the end credits of the 35th anniversary restoration. Re-released in tandem with a belated sequel, Tiny: The Life of Erin Blackwell that is also directed by Bell, the power of Streetwise remains with its all too relevant story of teenagers on the streets of Seattle known at the time as the most liveable city in the world...

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Big Little Lies MVPs: Episode 2.7 "I Want to Know"

Previously: Episode 1 (Nathaniel) Episode 2 (Spencer) Episode 3 (Lynn) Episode 4 (Nathaniel) Episode 5 (Eric) Episode 6 (Chris)

by Nathaniel R

Parting is such sweet sorrow. But so is sticking together. With the seventh and final episode of Big Little Lies -- beware SPOILERS ahead all throughout this post-- we're in some ways directly back where we ended last season, with the Monterey Five, all in harmonious agreement. This time around, though, it's a bit grimmer if you stop to think about what might occur after they all confess. We don't mean the threat of a possible third season (which we don't actually think will happen) but the narrative possibilities inside our own heads. Exactly how do you conspire to lie about manslaughter and get away with it? Did Celeste keep her children only to lose them? Did Madeline save her marriage only to lose her freedom? Etcetera. 

But we're jumping right to the finale and we need to backtrack again for the best moments and fine performances of the finale...

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Soundtracking: Tarantino's Best Song Cues

by Chris Feil

A new Tarantino film brings with it a new batch of expected side dishes: takedowns, hyperboles, talk of Oscar potential. As for the content of the film itself, Quentin Tarantino never fails to deliver a distinct musical prowess along with the zippy dialogue and ironic violence. A dancing Leonardo DiCaprio and a groovy Margot Robbie from the trailers already promise that Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood will be no exception. Before we get to that film, let’s look back at the best song cues from Tarantino’s films...

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YNMS: "It: Chapter Two"

by Jason Adams

Slip into your yellow rain-slickers and come play with me down in the gutter, as the final trailer for director Andy Muschietti's It: Chapter Two arrived last week and we're taking a belated gander. While I preferred the shorter teaser that primarily focused in on a single creepy scene with Jessica Chastain, (taking over the role of Beverly from the terrific Sophia Lillis) and an old lady who's clearly not the old lady she seems to be, this full trailer delivers plenty of the pitch-black shocks we expect from these hard R-rated sojourns into what some consider Stephen King's most terrifying tale...

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TIFF Special Presentations & Galas: Ford v Ferrari, Joker, Radioactive, and more...

by Nathaniel R

"I Am Woman" is one of many biopics at TIFF

The Toronto International Film Festival has made its first lineup announcements. They begin with the Galas and the Special Presentations. This is the section that is most "movie star" friendly. They get red-carpet premieres and parties and the like. Special Presentations are also high profile premieres and movies from top filmmakers. We've never quite understood the difference in these two sections. The films and a few notes are after the jump...

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