Posts Tagged ‘Film’
Under the Radar | Merchant Ivory Films
This is a column that will focus on little known films, directors, writers, and actors. The column does not exist to tell you what to watch, but to simply help raise interest in the great art and talent that goes unseen year by year. So let’s begin. In this edition I will be spotlighting the films of Merchant Ivory.
There is a large section of the film geek culture that is completely unfamiliar or completely rejects the films of Merchant Ivory. Producer Ismail Merchant and director James Ivory have together crafted some of the most prestigious and beautiful films to come out of British cinema in the past thirty years. Their films do however have the reputation of being extremely high brow and at times cold and alienating. Merchant Ivory Productions usually focus on British aristocrats in Edwardian times and their struggles with relationships, customs, and societies ever changing rules. My goal with this article is to hopefully persuade a few film fans to check out Ismail Merchant and James Ivory’s work, by recommending three of their most popular and critically acclaimed pictures.
The Filmdogs Podcast: Episode 18 – The Revenge of Podcast Galore
The 18th Episode of The Filmdogs Podcast has finally arrived. Listen in as this week as we discuss all the happenings at Comic Con 2010 in an extended news segment. Then in our Featured Topic we dicsect a statement made by Movieline writer Stephanie Zacharek in her controversial review of Inception. Can movies still be great? Or only “awesome”? To conclude, we tear apart Halle Berry’s infamously bad zinger from X-Men in our One-Liner of the Week. Why go to fan conventions when you have The Filmdogs Podcast?
Email us with you podcast feedback or segment suggestions at filmdogspodcast@gmail.com. Subscribe to the podcast here, or listen in you browser. Also, you may download an enhanced AAC feed with chapter markers and artwork from iTunes on your computer or straight to your iPhone/iPod touches now! If you like what you hear be sure to write a quick review on iTunes as well. It helps us out. Thanks!
Scream 4 | First Photo of Ghostface
Wes Craven recently tweeted a set photo from the currently shooting Scream 4, and the subject happens to be the star of the film. No… not Neve Campbell, but the infamous Ghostface. The picture is nothing new, but I must say there is something quite geeky about seeing the mask on set. Scream 4 opens on April 15, 2011. Check the photo out below.
Scene Stealer I “The Bourne Identity” Bourne vs. Castel
This weekend Angelina Jolie dodged government officials as CIA officer Evelyn Salt in Phillip Noyce‘s newest film Salt. Although I have yet to see the film, it got my cinematic wheels turning trying to figure out my favorite spy movie. De Palma‘s Mission Impossible? Hitchcock‘s Topaz? Noyce‘s Patriot Games? There are plenty of films to choose from; some dark and brooding and others fun and action packed. For my money the spy genre is at it’s best with Doug Liman and Paul Greengrass‘s memory deprived action hero, Jason Bourne. Read the rest of this entry »
Trailer Exam | Biutiful
Empireonline recently premiered the trailer for Alejandro González Iñárritu‘s newest film, and I must say that I am completely blown away. The film is entitled Biutiful, and stars Javier Bardem as a man involved with criminal activity as well as the feeling that death may be inside him. The trailer is a fantastic culmination of startling images and precisely cut music. If nothing else this trailer will certainly pique your interest and leave you wanting more. Continue on to watch the trailer for Biutiful, and Iñárritu’s first three films. Read the rest of this entry »
Scene Stealer | “The Last of the Mohicans” I Will Find You
Every film buff has a special group of select movies that help pave the way to complete obsession. For me one of those films was Michael Mann’s 1992 epic, The Last of the Mohicans. Based on James Fenimore Cooper’s novel and inspired by George Seitz 1936 film, Mann creates a historical saga charged with emotion and feeling. At the center of this vast story of the French and Indian War, is the blossoming love affair between Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis) and Cora Munro (Madeleine Stowe). They are two vastly different souls searching for a place in a world that is as Cora puts it “… on fire”. The two share many memorable scenes together, but the most memorable is the, often quoted, Waterfall Scene. Read the rest of this entry »
Trailer Exam | “Devil”
M. Night Shyamalan has taken a critical hit of late with the worst reviewed film of the year, The Last Airbender. That said, he has written a trilogy of films entitled The Night Chronicles and a very effective trailer has recently been released. The first film is called “Devil” and is directed by Drew and John Erick Dowdle (Quarantine). There is definitely a nice visual style on display here, and the premise seems to be taking Shyamalan back to where he started. Check out the trailer below.
Trailer Exam | “The Loved Ones”
Just came across this interesting looking horror trailer from “down under”. For sensibly minded horror fans, like myself, this trailer says the feature will either be: 1.) complete crap or 2.) a welcome, sleeper surprise. I really, really hope it’s the latter. It appears to be well made, based on the production and image quality shown. Color me interested.
Under the Radar | “Following”
This is a column that will focus on little known films, directors, writers, and actors. The column does not exist to tell you what to watch, but to simply help raise interest in the great art and talent that goes unseen year by year. So let’s begin. In honor of the opening of Inception (my personal most anticipated film of the summer), I will be spotlighting Christopher Nolan’s directorial debut Following. Read the rest of this entry »
Trailer Exam | “Get Low”
With Predators opening this weekend and Inception and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World still ahead of us, it seems if the summer movie season is finally picking up. That said there are still very few intimate character dramas floating around until fall. One exception, however, is Aaron Schneider’s Get Low. Set in the 1930s, Get Low is the true story of a man who throws his own funeral party while he is still alive. The trailer has a great comedically poignant tone and showcases some of the film’s fantastic cinematography. Plus, the cast alone should be enough to pique any filmgoer’s interest. The film stars Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Bill Murray, Lucas Black and opens on July 30th. Check out the trailer below.
