Almost There: Linda Fiorentino in "The Last Seduction"

by Cláudio Alves

Since last month, the Criterion Channel is offering a collection of neo-noirs, modern films from the 70s onwards that perpetuate the tradition of 1940s and 50s crime pictures. Freer to explore matters of sex and violence, these versions of film noir tend to be more visceral, updating old archetypes into vicious evocations of misanthropic cinema. For actressexuals, the evolution of the femme fatale is especially enticing. From Kathleen Turner's oversexed take on a Phyllis Dietrichson type in Body Heat to Nora Zehetner's mysterious high-schooler in Brick, this immortal character has gone through an infinite myriad of transfigurations. Maybe none of them caused as much hubbub during her awards season as Linda Fiorentino in John Dahl's The Last Seduction…

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Emmy Analysis: Can "Ted Lasso" beat itself to Outstanding Comedy Writing?

The Film Experience Team takes a look at the episode submissions for all the major Emmy categories.

By Nathaniel R

Oustanding Writing in a Comedy Series has paired with the Comedy Series winner for the past three consecutive years even though a different show won each time (Mrs Maisel, Fleabag, Schitt's Creek). This was true even when the winning show had multiple writing nominations so it should have (theoretically) been splitting its vote. This suggests that the adorable and brilliant frontrunner Ted Lasso is going to win with ease... but which episode? WAIT, not so fast. Not long at all before that, Master of None and Louie both took this prize twice beating out their year's Comedy series winner (Veep and Modern Family). In the not-so distant case of Master of None vs Veep, Veep had multiple nominated episodes both times, theoretically splitting its own vote. This suggests Ted Lasso could also lose. But to what?

So let’s take a look at the nominees... 

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Streaming Roulette, August: Pray away those freaky requiems

New month. Time for another round of Streaming Roulette where we point out a handful or two of random titles that are newly streaming and just for fun, freeze frame them at totally random places in the scroll bar...

[No dialogue. Confused, looking around.]

FREAKY (2020) on HBOMax
This must be when the serial killer and the teenager find themselves in each others bodies, in this horror comedy riff on the Freaky Friday template. We didn't see this one (did you?) but are a tiny bit curious. Tangent: Do you ever wonder how actors and musicians feel when they watch movies and see their own faces as set decoration, on character's bedroom walls? (Hi Brendon Urie.)

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Emmy Analysis: Will the 'Pose' finale win Writing and stop a 'Crown' sweep?

The Film Experience Team takes a look at the episode submissions for all the major Emmy categories.

Will "Pose" win for its season finale, like "Friday Night Lights" and "The Americans" did?

By: Christopher James

Writers go on their own path at the Emmy Awards. Over the past ten years, writing has only matched up with Drama Series six out of ten times. There is plenty of room for this category to surprise and not line up with a clean sweep. With seven nominees, there is even more room for a shakeup. Our nomination leaders (The Crown, The Mandalorian, The Handmaid’s Tale) are all present, with The Mandalorian being the only show with two episodes. Meanwhile, Pose contends for its super-sized two hour series finale.

So who is ahead in this category and who could surprise? Let’s take a look at the nominees...

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Happy 25th to "Matilda"

by Camile Henriques

It's common on the internet to revisit films from childhood and realize that all many of them have going for them is nostalgia. With Matilda turning 25 today, I revisited the film. I'm happy to share that the Danny DeVito-directed adaptation of Roald Dahl's Matilda is as charming, for me, now as it was back then as a child in the 1990's, if not more, since the themes it touches on are given a whole new meaning now.

The film follows a little girl with telekinetic powers big enough to lead her through a new life whilst teaching her negligent parents a few lessons. She's portrayed by Mara Wilson, who, at that time, was one of the most prominent child stars post-Macaulay Culkin. Before Matilda, Wilson had a breakout role in Mrs. Doubtfire, a guest spot in the first season of Melrose Place, and a starring role in 1994's remake of Miracle on 34th Street, in the part that was originally Natalie Wood's...

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