Interview: François Ozon talks "Double Lover" and the greatest French actresses...

by Murtada

It might be surprising to know that François Ozon likes to learn what children think of his films. He says their responses are clever and innocent, especially if they believe the world on the screen. Though he realizes that he can’t always get their feedback since his movies often deal with adult themes, like the psychosexual thrillers Swimimg Pool (2003), Young and Beautiful (2013) and his latest Double Lover.

Ozon’s films cannot be easily categorized, he has also directed the campy musical 8 Women (2002) and the haunting WW1 romance Frantz (2016). He says...

Click to read more ...

Soundtracking: "Harold and Maude"

by Chris Feil

Some of our greatest cinematic love stories are more than the coupling at the center. As in life, the love can be more deeply felt when both sides of the arrangement have had their own separate journeys that inform and are informed by their relationship. Conflicting personal priorities, emotional walls dismantled, allowing oneself to accept being loved - it’s the personal obstacles that allow us to get swept up in the romance. One of the (cult) classics of this kind of love story is Hal Ashby’s delicate Harold and Maude, with Harold’s emotional arc towards self-acceptance all underscored with the musical stylings of a Cat Stevens soundtrack.

Would that all of our romantic foibles and internal battles could sound as lovely as this...

Click to read more ...

Review: The 15:17 To Paris

by Eric Blume

Has Clint Eastwood lost his mind?  That’s the thought that swirled through my mind for the first hour of 15:17 To Paris, because every choice is so shockingly wrong-headed that it feels unfathomable. Say what you will about Eastwood’s films, but even his detractors would need to admit that his movies are generally well-acted and sure-footed.  I had to stay through the end credits not to see the name of the cinematographer, but to ensure that there actually was one.  In fact, it’s Tom Stern, who has shot most of Eastwood’s films.  Out of respect for these two gentlemen and their intelligent work together in the past, let's assume that on this film they were attempting to take Eastwood’s infamously brisk, limited-takes directorial and shooting style to its ultimate breakneck limit.  Their new film looks uglier and less artful than your average TV procedural...

Click to read more ...

McCarthy and Haddish Team Up!

Chris here. Even if the Oscar buzz comparisons to Melissa McCarthy didn't yield Tiffany Haddish the same happy result, all that talk maybe did align their stars together. The two funny ladies just signed on to star together in mob movie The Kitchen. Now before we prime ourselves for a comedy goldmine, this project will actually be something of a curve ball for both actresses...

Click to read more ...

Moving Day

by Nathaniel R

Frances Ha

For those wondering why I've been so quiet during Oscar month, please bear with me a little while longer. After much chaos in my offline life and a painful end to a long relationship (...but let's not get into that), it's moving day. Or days.

It occurred to me today that movies skip over this physically exhausting and emotionally taxing work in seconds usually. Where's the magical montage that transports me from No-Longer-Home to New Place in like 10-30 whimsical but melancholy seconds? Because this real time continuous-shot business is no fun. Even Lav Diaz would think this running time indulgent.

But back to boxes and chaos. Here's to fresh starts.