Hou Hsiao-Hsien @ 75: The Studio Films (1980-1982)

by Cláudio Alves

His films are poems, lyrical examinations of the mundane that live in the moment but look backward to a past out of reach but still tangible. Master shots are his preference, whether standing still through mnemonic patterns or roving in idyll movement. Form and emotion are synonyms in this cinematic imagination, indissociable ideas that repudiate traditional storytelling norms. Indeed, many of his works are constructed from the transitory passages other filmmakers leave on the cutting room floor.

For these reasons and more, I have long loved the cinema of Hou Hsiao-Hsien. So, to celebrate his 75th birthday, I ask you, dear reader, to join me on a trip down memory lane, a multi-part odyssey through this master of cinema's filmography…

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Academy bans Will Smith for 10 years

by Nathaniel R

Two weeks too late the Academy has essentially asked Will Smith to leave the building. The only appropriate time to do that would have been immediately post-slap, if you ask us. But after letting him stay and deliver a tearful speech in which he apologized as well as blamed the devil, and giving him a standing ovation, they don't really have much of a moral high ground to do so now. But they had to say something... 

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Review: "Aline" is a Stranger Version of Your Average Biopic

By: Christopher James

Director/actress Valerie Lemercier tackles the life of "Aline Dieu" from age 5 to 50.Aline is a conundrum and a contradiction. More than any other recent biopic, Aline soldiers through all of the cliches and plot devices we’ve seen repeated ad nauseum. Yet, there’s a bizarre core that spins every scene on the axis. Much like the “subject,” Céline Dion, it’s a movie that tries to appear normal, but is so much wackier than one would imagine. 

Everyone’s first question is answered in the opening disclaimer. “This film is inspired by the life of Céline Dion. It is, however, a work of fiction. As such, some characters, places and facts have been modified, in keeping with the filmmakers’ vision.” Céline Dion songs are used throughout the film and the closest the movie comes to a central storyline mimics Dion’s own relationship with her much older manager, René Angélil. It’s hard to see why a name change was needed when so many other elements hewed close to life. 

So is Aline “so bad it’s good,” “better than expected” or just “bad bad”?

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Best Shot Picks and Nathaniel's Choice from 'The Godfather'

by Nathaniel R

Our film title this week on Hit Me With Your Best Shot was in honor of the restoration of The Godfather (1972) for its 50th Anniversary. Here are the Best Shot choices from seven participants and my own towards the end of the post. Click on the images that follow to read the corresponding articles. I'll be "talking" inbetween the images about a film I've never written about before (!) as I select my own... 

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One For Them, One For Me - Ridley Scott's 2021 - "The Last Duel" vs. "House of Gucci"

A series by Christopher James.

Do one for them; do one for you. If you can still do projects for yourself, you can keep your soul.

— Martin Scorsese: A Journey

yHow great would it have been if "The Last Duel" was between Margurite and Patrizia Reggiani?

Though Ridley Scott was not nominated for either of his movies in 2021, they still cast some shadows on Oscar night. House of Gucci star Lady Gaga rounded out the night presenting Best Picture alongside living legend Liza Minnelli, a nod to the 50th anniversary of Cabaret. His other film, The Last Duel, was the subject of a joke by host Regina Hall, saying: “Now, I’ve got the screener for a never-before-seen film, not even by the director. It’s called, The Last Duel.” 

A year ago, both movies were expected to factor heavily in the Oscar race...

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