Review: Loveable Diane Keaton in "Mack & Rita"

By Christopher James

Branding is important. Craft a persona early enough, it can sustain you for a full career. Stallone and Schwarzenegger will remain action stars until they need rockers. DeNiro will be a gangster in every third rate mob movie known to man. Finally, Diane Keaton instantly conjures the vision of a kooky Grandma who loves Chardonnay.

Between Book Club and Poms, septuagenarian Keaton has once again found a way to lead movies packaged around her infectious star persona. Mack & Rita is the latest in this series. While it’s easily the shabbiest of the three, it’s not without its charms thanks to its Oscar-winning lead. Who wouldn’t want to jump to the point in their life where they could be Diane Keaton?

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'The Lost Daughter' and 'Zola' are multiple Spirit Award winners

by Nathaniel R

The Film Independent Spirit Awards were held today and The Lost Daughter emerged as the big winner with Maggie Gyllenhaal taking home three statues: Feature, Director, and Screenplay. Zola, our Bronze Medalist for Best Picture, also performed well winning Female Lead and Editing. On television Reservation Dogs was the big winner with two prizes. A complete list of winners and teary funny acceptance speeches after the jump...

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Spirit Awards 2022: My Personal Ballot

by Cláudio Alves

The Film Independent Spirit Awards are upon us! After a few years of hewing concerningly close to the Oscars, this year's slot of nominees feels more connected to the organization's purpose of celebrating independent cinema, even the obscure stuff. Indeed, exploring the many nominated pictures was one of the highlights of this awards season. I discovered some beautiful gems and have new artists to look for in the incoming years. Isn't that the most beautiful part of movie awards – the uncovering of heretofore unknown talents and voices? It seems right, seeing as the Spirit Awards are voted on by cinephiles, all those who become Film Independent members out of their love for the seventh art.

With that in mind, I thought it could be fun to share my (not so anonymous) ballot for the Spirit Awards, perchance some predictions too…

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Interview: Sean Baker and Simon Rex on 'Red Rocket'

by Nathaniel R

What film character will you remember best from the past year? One of our contenders for that crown is, for better and worse, Mikey Saber, the motor-mouthed adult film actor in Red Rocket. Better, because he's wonderfully written by Sean Baker and brilliantly played by Simon Rex. Worse because he's a walking disaster and narcissistic predator. Though the indie grossed a solid $1 million in limited release, it would surely have been a bigger success if its raucous mix of sex/cringe/character comedy could have played to more crowded theaters in non-pandemic times. Still, a Cannes competition premiere, 3 Gotham Award nominations, and a Los Angeles Film Critics Association win for Best Actor makes Red Rocket's brief run a major success. The film and Simon Rex's devilishly funny star turn are both bound to pick up more admirers soon on home viewing.

We had the privilege of sitting down briefly with writer/director Sean Baker and star Simon Rex prior to the release to talk about the film. [This interview has been edited for length and clarity...]

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Oscar Volleys: Four locks, and the race for the fifth spot in Best Actor

Continuing our Oscar Volley series at The Film Experience. Tonight Gabriel Mayora and Ben Miller on Best Actor in a Leading Role

Ben Miller: My big question: is this a race only for the fifth slot? Will Smith, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andrew Garfield, and Denzel Washington all feel locked in. Is there any vulnerability in that top four?

Gabriel Mayora: I am surprised by how excited this self-professed raging actressexual™ (thank you to Nathaniel for that genius term) is to discuss this year's Best Actor category. Most years I find it hard to muster much enthusiasm for this category, but maybe after seeing the race take some surprising shifts last year, I have a renewed interest. I  agree with you that Smith, Cumberbatch, Garfield, and --to a slightly lesser extent, maybe? -- Washington are all locks, there is little room for surprise come nomination morning.

And while my first instinct is to complain about the Academy's lack of originality, I can't say I blame them. Those four are all so good...

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