Jim Hemphill

Jim Hemphill is the writer and director of the award-winning film The Trouble With the Truth, which is currently streaming on Amazon Prime and other platforms. He has written about movies and television for Filmmaker magazine, American Cinematographer and Film Comment, and is the author of The Art and Craft of TV Directing: Conversations with Episodic Television Directors. He also serves as a film historian at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and has contributed audio commentaries to DVDs and Blu-rays for Indicator, Shout Factory, the BFI, and other home video labels. His website is www.jimhemphillfilms.com.

@JimmyHemphill

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Talks

On the Idiosyncratic Pleasures of Billy Wilder’s The Front Page

By Jim Hemphill | May 21, 2021

On the Idiosyncratic Pleasures of Billy Wilder’s The Front Page

Jim Hemphill celebrates the directing great's underappreciated 1974 remake, a film which arguably resonates even more strongly today.

Remembering the Thrillingly Original Visions of Norman J. Warren

By Jim Hemphill | March 17, 2021

Remembering the Thrillingly Original Visions of Norman J. Warren

Jim Hemphill pays tribute to the criminally underrated British horror director, who sadly passed away last week.

Second Screen: Best TV Shows of 2020

By Jim Hemphill | January 12, 2021

Second Screen: Best TV Shows of 2020

Talkhouse Film's resident TV expert Jim Hemphill shares his list of favorite small-screen pleasures from the past 12 months.

Enter the VOD: Frankie and Johnny Are Married Hilariously Blurs Reality and Fiction

By Jim Hemphill | March 25, 2020

Enter the VOD: Frankie and Johnny Are Married Hilariously Blurs Reality and Fiction

Jim Hemphill touts this underrated gem about a couple putting on the late Terrence McNally’s play Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune.

Enter the VOD: Overdrive

By Jim Hemphill | February 5, 2020

Enter the VOD: Overdrive

Jim Hemphill recommends his latest VOD treasure, a slick and very enjoyable car thriller from the creators of the Chicago TV franchise.

Underrated/Overlooked: Jim Hemphill on Shaft

By Jim Hemphill | January 3, 2020

Underrated/Overlooked: Jim Hemphill on Shaft

Maybe because it was a sequel/remake, most audiences missed out on one of the most entertaining films of 2019.

Revisited: Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood is … My God, What a Movie!

By Jim Hemphill | December 26, 2019

Revisited: Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood is … My God, What a Movie!

Tarantino's much anticipated ninth film is his best so far, and also arguably the greatest movie ever about the movies.

Enter the VOD: Fire With Fire

By Jim Hemphill | November 18, 2019

Enter the VOD: Fire With Fire

Jim Hemphill's new Talkhouse column about the hidden gems of VOD kicks off with underrated stuntman/auteur David Barrett's 2012 feature debut.

The Dark Side of Hollywood: the Twisted Pleasures of Fred Durst’s The Fanatic

By Jim Hemphill | September 17, 2019

The Dark Side of Hollywood: the Twisted Pleasures of Fred Durst’s The Fanatic

Jim Hemphill, eternal champion of the film maudit, sings the praises of this intense portrait of L.A. fan culture from the Limp Bizkit frontman.

Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood is … My God, What a Movie!

By Jim Hemphill | July 22, 2019

Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood is … My God, What a Movie!

Tarantino's much anticipated ninth film is his best so far, and also arguably the greatest movie ever about the movies.

Second Screen: Warming Up to Dead To Me

By Jim Hemphill | July 8, 2019

Second Screen: Warming Up to Dead To Me

Jim Hemphill on the new Netflix show about grief, a show which mines complex and conflicting emotions for both laughs and profundity.

William Gibson’s Version of Alien 3 Lives!

By Jim Hemphill | June 11, 2019

William Gibson’s Version of Alien 3 Lives!

Jim Hemphill dives into Audible’s rendering of the legendary cyberpunk novelist’s never-produced installment of the Ripley series.

Don’t Sleep on Tarantino’s Reimagined Four-Part Cut of The Hateful Eight

By Jim Hemphill | May 29, 2019

Don’t Sleep on Tarantino’s Reimagined Four-Part Cut of The Hateful Eight

Jim Hemphill on the rhythms and pleasures of the new miniseries-style edit of the director’s 2015 epic which quietly dropped on Netflix.

Second Screen: The Son is the Godfather of TV Westerns

By Jim Hemphill | May 8, 2019

Second Screen: The Son is the Godfather of TV Westerns

Talkhouse's TV columnist is swept up by AMC's expansive Pierce Brosnan-led family saga, which has just started its second season.

Second Screen: The Perfectionists is Everything Pretty Little Liars Fans Could Hope For

By Jim Hemphill | March 13, 2019

Second Screen: The Perfectionists is Everything Pretty Little Liars Fans Could Hope For

Filmmaker and die-hard PLL fan Jim Hemphill gives the skinny on the pilot of one of the most anticipated new shows of the season.

Revisiting Luke Perry’s Great Unheralded Performance in Normal Life

By Jim Hemphill | March 6, 2019

Revisiting Luke Perry’s Great Unheralded Performance in Normal Life

Jim Hemphill pays tribute to the beloved actor, who showed his true brilliance as a performer in John McNaughton's overlooked 1996 crime drama.

Second Screen: FBI is Procedural TV Done Right

By Jim Hemphill | February 18, 2019

Second Screen: FBI is Procedural TV Done Right

Jim Hemphill admires the latest addition to the small-screen realm of Law & Order creator Dick Wolf.

Underrated/Overlooked: Jim Hemphill on Skyscraper

By Jim Hemphill | January 14, 2019

Underrated/Overlooked: Jim Hemphill on Skyscraper

Is it possible that Rawson Marshall Thurber's latest Dwayne Johnson vehicle is an action movie for the ages?

Revisited: The Score-Only Version of Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a Revelation

By Jim Hemphill | December 31, 2018

Revisited: The Score-Only Version of Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a Revelation

Jim Hemphill details the pleasures of a new cut of Rian Johnson's movie which dispenses with dialogue and SFX to forefront John Williams' music.

Revisited: Bradley Cooper’s Triumphant A Star is Born is an Instant Classic

By Jim Hemphill | December 24, 2018

Revisited: Bradley Cooper’s Triumphant A Star is Born is an Instant Classic

Occasionally you see a movie and immediately know it's up there with the all-time greats. This is one of those rare times.

Second Screen: Best TV Shows of 2018

By Jim Hemphill | December 20, 2018

Second Screen: Best TV Shows of 2018

Jim Hemphill, a man who watches too much (but still nowhere near enough to keep up!), picks a few favorites from the past 12 months.

How the New Version of The Tree of Life Changed My Mind About Director’s Cuts

By Jim Hemphill | November 14, 2018

How the New Version of The Tree of Life Changed My Mind About Director’s Cuts

Jim Hemphill is overwhelmed by Terrence Malick's revelatory reimagination of his 2011 magnum opus.

Second Screen: Underneath Bull’s Style and Smarts, There’s Real Depth Too

By Jim Hemphill | September 24, 2018

Second Screen: Underneath Bull’s Style and Smarts, There’s Real Depth Too

Jim Hemphill sings the praises of the incredibly enjoyable CBS procedural Bull, which returns for its third season tonight.

Bradley Cooper’s Triumphant A Star is Born is an Instant Classic

By Jim Hemphill | August 31, 2018

Bradley Cooper’s Triumphant A Star is Born is an Instant Classic

Occasionally you see a movie and immediately know it's up there with the all-time greats. This is one of those rare times.

The Score-Only Version of Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a Revelation

By Jim Hemphill | July 25, 2018

The Score-Only Version of Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a Revelation

Jim Hemphill details the pleasures of a new cut of Rian Johnson's movie which dispenses with dialogue and SFX to forefront John Williams' music.

Out of Sight at 20

By Jim Hemphill | June 26, 2018

Out of Sight at 20

Celebrating the legacy of Steven Soderbergh's landmark movie starring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez, which was released on this day in 1998.

Revisiting Schlock (and My Adoration of John Landis)

By Jim Hemphill | June 18, 2018

Revisiting Schlock (and My Adoration of John Landis)

Lifelong Landis devotee Jim Hemphill revisits his little-seen first film, reminding him just what he loves about the veteran director’s work.

Second Screen: How Peter Lenkov Brought Buddy Movies Back (to TV) with Hawaii Five-0 and MacGyver

By Jim Hemphill | May 22, 2018

Second Screen: How Peter Lenkov Brought Buddy Movies Back (to TV) with Hawaii Five-0 and MacGyver

The beloved action movie subgenre has lain dormant for some time, but writer-producer Lenkov has kept its spirit alive in two of his CBS shows.

Second Screen: CBS’ New Procedural Instinct is Anything But Basic

By Jim Hemphill | April 3, 2018

Second Screen: CBS’ New Procedural Instinct is Anything But Basic

Alan Cumming's gay lead character has been a major talking point, but there is much more besides that sets this series apart.

Second Screen: The Next Great Action Director is Working in TV – and She’s a Woman

By Jim Hemphill | March 19, 2018

Second Screen: The Next Great Action Director is Working in TV – and She’s a Woman

Jim Hemphill spotlights a director whose standout talents show she's clearly ready to make the leap to the big screen.

Nick Nolte’s Memoir Rebel is a Reminder Why He’s Our Greatest Living Actor

By Jim Hemphill | February 26, 2018

Nick Nolte’s Memoir Rebel is a Reminder Why He’s Our Greatest Living Actor

Jim Hemphill on the grizzled performer's newly released book, and the qualities that make him exceptional.

Master of Sex: On James Foley and Fifty Shades Freed

By Jim Hemphill | February 13, 2018

Master of Sex: On James Foley and Fifty Shades Freed

Jim Hemphill pays tribute to the director whose aptitude at portraying potent sexuality made him the ideal fit for the Fifty Shades franchise.

Second Screen: How Star Trek: Discovery is Pushing the Franchise Forward as Never Before

By Jim Hemphill | February 5, 2018

Second Screen: How Star Trek: Discovery is Pushing the Franchise Forward as Never Before

Talkhouse Film's TV columnist gives the lowdown on the latest (and boldest) iteration of Gene Roddenberry's classic sci-fi series.

Second Screen: Best TV Shows of 2017

By Jim Hemphill | December 19, 2017

Second Screen: Best TV Shows of 2017

Talkhouse's TV columnist Jim Hemphill breaks down a few of his favorites from a very busy year on the small screen.

Second Screen: Why S.W.A.T. is Beating Hollywood Action Movies at Their Own Game

By Jim Hemphill | December 11, 2017

Second Screen: Why S.W.A.T. is Beating Hollywood Action Movies at Their Own Game

Jim Hemphill on the surprising pleasures of the newly rebooted TV franchise, which delivers both high-octane thrills and a real social perspective.

On That Lost Three-Hour Version Superman and the Curious Pleasures of TV Edits

By Jim Hemphill | November 3, 2017

On That Lost Three-Hour Version Superman and the Curious Pleasures of TV Edits

Jim Hemphill shares his fondness for quirky small-screen cuts of big movies, and one of these that's finally been released for the first time.

So It Turns Out Happy Death Day is Pretty Much a Masterpiece

By Jim Hemphill | October 19, 2017

So It Turns Out Happy Death Day is Pretty Much a Masterpiece

Jim Hemphill is surprised to find the latest Blumhouse joint is legitimately great, and wonders if a golden age of horror is imminent.

Coppola Just Premiered The Cotton Club Encore — and It’s a Masterpiece

By Jim Hemphill | September 6, 2017

Coppola Just Premiered The Cotton Club Encore — and It’s a Masterpiece

Jim Hemphill, just back from the Telluride Film Festival, reports on the revelatory new version of one of the great director's most troubled movies.

Second Screen: Why Madam Secretary is the Best Political TV Show Ever

By Jim Hemphill | August 24, 2017

Second Screen: Why Madam Secretary is the Best Political TV Show Ever

Jim Hemphill enumerates the many ways in which he loves the series which has finally provided Téa Leoni with the role she deserves.

Second Screen: Riverdale, or if Fassbinder Had Directed 90210

By Jim Hemphill | July 24, 2017

Second Screen: Riverdale, or if Fassbinder Had Directed 90210

Jim Hemphill on the deliriously enjoyable CW show, which is so referential it makes Tarantino look like Bresson.

Second Screen: NCIS: New Orleans is the Rio Bravo of Police Procedurals (No, Really)

By Jim Hemphill | June 28, 2017

Second Screen: NCIS: New Orleans is the Rio Bravo of Police Procedurals (No, Really)

Jim Hemphill explains why this spinoff of a long-running cop show has some of the best qualities of Howard Hawks' 1959 classic Western.

Jim Hemphill Talks with Lea Thompson (The Year of Spectacular Men) for the Talkhouse Podcast

By Jim Hemphill | June 15, 2017

Jim Hemphill Talks with Lea Thompson (The Year of Spectacular Men) for the Talkhouse Podcast

Jim Hemphill sits down with his friend and former collaborator Lea Thompson as her directorial debut world premieres at L.A. Film Festival.

Why the Criminally Overlooked Happy Campers Deserves Classic Status

By Jim Hemphill | May 26, 2017

Why the Criminally Overlooked Happy Campers Deserves Classic Status

Jim Hemphill makes the case for Daniel Waters' subversive summer camp movie, a film that has never been recognized for its unsettling brilliance.

On Its 40th Anniversary, John Boorman’s Much-Maligned Exorcist II: The Heretic Deserves a Second Chance

By Jim Hemphill | May 19, 2017

On Its 40th Anniversary, John Boorman’s Much-Maligned Exorcist II: The Heretic Deserves a Second Chance

A wildly sumptuous feast for the senses, the undervalued sequel is due for the same critical reevaluation as Sorcerer.

Adam Sandler’s “Carte Blanche” Freedom and the Joy of Sandy Wexler

By Jim Hemphill | May 8, 2017

Adam Sandler’s “Carte Blanche” Freedom and the Joy of Sandy Wexler

Jim Hemphill celebrates the creative expansion the polarizing comedian's new Netflix film has afforded him.

Second Screen: The Irresistible Hollywood Narrative of Famous in Love

By Jim Hemphill | April 19, 2017

Second Screen: The Irresistible Hollywood Narrative of Famous in Love

Jim Hemphill on why he fell for Freeform's addictive new series about the on-screen/off-screen romance between two young movie stars.

Second Screen: Is Billions a New High for Cable Television?

By Jim Hemphill | March 27, 2017

Second Screen: Is Billions a New High for Cable Television?

Jim Hemphill on the abundance of riches to be found in the Showtime series, which brings the best of cinema to the small screen.

The Decline of the Western and the Continuing Resonance of The Ballad of Little Jo

By Jim Hemphill | March 1, 2017

The Decline of the Western and the Continuing Resonance of The Ballad of Little Jo

Jim Hemphill on Maggie Greenwald's 1993 revisionist Western, a film that brilliantly and insightfully plays with the tropes of the genre.

Second Screen: Nashville Goes From Strength to Strength

By Jim Hemphill | February 15, 2017

Second Screen: Nashville Goes From Strength to Strength

Jim Hemphill sings the praises of Callie Khouri's country-music themed drama, which has thrived since its move from ABC to CMT.

Second Screen: Why Six is Giving Award Season Movies a Run for Their Money

By Jim Hemphill | January 24, 2017

Second Screen: Why Six is Giving Award Season Movies a Run for Their Money

Jim Hemphill on how the History Channel's surprising new series – and especially Kimberly Peirce's episode – shows cinema how it's done.

In Memoriam: Talkhouse Film Contributors Remember Anton Yelchin, Michael Cimino, David Bowie and More

By Filmmakers | December 21, 2016

In Memoriam: Talkhouse Film Contributors Remember Anton Yelchin, Michael Cimino, David Bowie and More

Alex Cox, Joe Dante, James Marsh, Alex Winter and more remember some of the cinematic greats who passed away during 2016.

Second Screen: The Best TV Shows of 2016

By Jim Hemphill | December 20, 2016

Second Screen: The Best TV Shows of 2016

Jim Hemphill attempts the improbable task of listing the best – or at least most pleasurable – that the small screen had to offer in the past year.

Second Screen: The Catch’s Effortless Style Conceals Its True Brilliance

By Jim Hemphill | November 28, 2016

Second Screen: The Catch’s Effortless Style Conceals Its True Brilliance

In his regular TV column, Jim Hemphill gets caught up in the ABC crime series, which channels Soderbergh and Hitchcock at their entertaining best.

Underrated/Overlooked: Jim Hemphill on The Duel

By Jim Hemphill | November 15, 2016

Underrated/Overlooked: Jim Hemphill on The Duel

Jim Hemphill champions one of the most ambitious (and satisfying) movies of 2016, a wildly original Western that defies expectations at all turns.

Second Screen: Designated Survivor is a Capra-esque Mix of Trump and Clinton

By Jim Hemphill | October 26, 2016

Second Screen: Designated Survivor is a Capra-esque Mix of Trump and Clinton

If you've ever kind of wished the whole political establishment would be wiped out in one fell swoop, then this is the TV show for you.

The Missing Masterpiece of the Found-Footage Horror Genre

By Jim Hemphill | October 14, 2016

The Missing Masterpiece of the Found-Footage Horror Genre

Jim Hemphill bangs the drum for Michael Goi's Megan is Missing, the one found-footage movie he thinks is worth a damn.

Second Screen: One Mississippi Reimagines the Sitcom

By Jim Hemphill | September 26, 2016

Second Screen: One Mississippi Reimagines the Sitcom

Stand-up Tig Notaro, along with Diablo Cody and Louis CK, adds tragedy to the traditional TV comedy to redefine and deepen the form.

Why Paul Schrader Is Wrong and Hardcore Is, in Fact, a Major Movie

By Jim Hemphill | September 15, 2016

Why Paul Schrader Is Wrong and Hardcore Is, in Fact, a Major Movie

Jim Hemphill makes the case that, despite what Schrader himself may say, one of the director's most personal films is also one of his best.

Second Screen: Animal Kingdom Emulates Its Source Material (and Then Some)

By Jim Hemphill | August 31, 2016

Second Screen: Animal Kingdom Emulates Its Source Material (and Then Some)

The new TNT show not only does justice to the great crime movie it's taken from, but also deepens its complex and compelling narrative.

Second Screen: Shades of Blue is One of the Best Cop Shows of All Time

By Jim Hemphill | August 2, 2016

Second Screen: Shades of Blue is One of the Best Cop Shows of All Time

With echoes of classic Lumet and two outstanding central performances, Shades of Blue is a rare welcome addition to the crowded cop show genre.

Across the Aisle: Politics and Violence Collide in The Purge: Election Year

By Jim Hemphill | July 12, 2016

Across the Aisle: Politics and Violence Collide in The Purge: Election Year

Jim Hemphill casts his ballot in favor of the latest entry in James DeMonaco's unlikely franchise, which portrays an America devoid of heroes.

My Dinner with Michael

By Jim Hemphill | July 7, 2016

My Dinner with Michael

Jim Hemphill recalls a memorable impromptu encounter with one his idols, the reclusive Michael Cimino, who passed away on July 2.

Across the Aisle: The Fosters Shows America As It Actually Is (Not As We Want It To Be)

By Jim Hemphill | June 6, 2016

Across the Aisle: The Fosters Shows America As It Actually Is (Not As We Want It To Be)

Hidden away on Freeform (formerly ABC Family), one of the best political shows on TV right now isn’t even (overtly) about politics.

Across the Aisle: The Family, Political Entertainment for the Age of Hillary

By Jim Hemphill | May 9, 2016

Across the Aisle: The Family, Political Entertainment for the Age of Hillary

Jim Hemphill finds a dense, complex TV show, hidden in plain sight on network television, that digs deep into the current political moment.

Across the Aisle: Before Trump or Cruz, There Was The Second Civil War

By Jim Hemphill | April 7, 2016

Across the Aisle: Before Trump or Cruz, There Was The Second Civil War

Jim Hemphill looks at how Joe Dante’s unnervingly prescient absurdist satire anticipated the current political climate in the U.S.

“Never Make Another Movie Again”: Filmmakers Choose Their Favorite Negative User Reviews

By Filmmakers | March 22, 2016

“Never Make Another Movie Again”: Filmmakers Choose Their Favorite Negative User Reviews

Talkhouse Film contributors dig around on IMDb, Amazon, Netflix and more to find the most hilariously outspoken takes on their movies.

Bulworth, Beatty, Trump and the Dream of the Political Truth-Teller

By Jim Hemphill | March 3, 2016

Bulworth, Beatty, Trump and the Dream of the Political Truth-Teller

Jim Hemphill looks back at Warren Beatty's late-'90s uncannily prescient satire of U.S. politics, about a plain-speaking presidential candidate.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Wim Wenders’ The End of Violence

By Jim Hemphill | November 25, 2015

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Wim Wenders’ The End of Violence

A film that was a critical and financial disappointment two decades ago now appears a startlingly prescient commentary on the U.S and Hollywood.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Greg Berlanti’s DC Comics TV Shows

By Jim Hemphill | November 14, 2015

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Greg Berlanti’s DC Comics TV Shows

An unsolicited Blu-ray converts a non-believer in big-screen superhero movies into a devoted fan of a trio of TV comic book shows.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak

By Jim Hemphill | October 19, 2015

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak

Del Toro's new movie, a gothic chiller which is both personal and commercial, underlines how horror movies ain't what they used to be.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Texasville, the Greatest Sequel That Hardly Anybody Saw

By Jim Hemphill | September 26, 2015

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Texasville, the Greatest Sequel That Hardly Anybody Saw

25 years after its release, it's time for a critical reappraisal of Peter Bogdanovich's unfairly dismissed follow-up to his most famous film.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks the Pleasures of Blumhouse’s Straight-to-VOD Movies

By Jim Hemphill | August 8, 2015

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks the Pleasures of Blumhouse’s Straight-to-VOD Movies

The lesser-known films from horror's most prolific and successful production company may be even bolder and more exciting than its bigger titles.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks the Small-Screen Auteurism of Keith Gordon

By Jim Hemphill | June 27, 2015

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks the Small-Screen Auteurism of Keith Gordon

One of the most underappreciated American directors is bringing his gifts to the small screen in a way few of his peers can.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Matthew Modine’s Full Metal Jacket Diary Audiobook

By Jim Hemphill | April 4, 2015

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Matthew Modine’s Full Metal Jacket Diary Audiobook

The actor's memoir about working on Kubrick's penultimate movie provides insight into the great director, Modine himself and '80s Hollywood life.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Yann Demange’s ’71

By Jim Hemphill | February 25, 2015

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Yann Demange’s ’71

The British director's masterful debut about one long night in early '70s Belfast is a film that should be seen and championed by all.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper

By Jim Hemphill | February 18, 2015

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper

A filmmaker who became a director because of Clint Eastwood considers the retired actor's latest effort behind the camera.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Jonathan Demme’s Last Embrace

By Jim Hemphill | February 3, 2015

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Jonathan Demme’s Last Embrace

A gem from the early days of Demme's career finally comes to Blu-ray, not just a nod to Hitchcock but also the bellwether of a future classic.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Rob Cohen’s The Boy Next Door

By Jim Hemphill | January 23, 2015

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Rob Cohen’s The Boy Next Door

In which a devoted fan of erotic thrillers is frustrated to find that a movie with a very promising premise is turned into a boring, inoffensive mess.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper

By Jim Hemphill | January 1, 2015

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper

A filmmaker who became a director because of Clint Eastwood considers the retired actor's latest effort behind the camera.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Roman Polanski’s Macbeth

By Jim Hemphill | December 4, 2014

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Roman Polanski’s Macbeth

Newly out from Criterion, Polanski's take on "the Scottish play" is a work of troubled genius which has long been unfairly overlooked.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Watching Interstellar Six Times in Six Days in Six Formats

By Jim Hemphill | November 15, 2014

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Watching Interstellar Six Times in Six Days in Six Formats

Christopher Nolan is one of the major filmmakers trying to keep celluloid alive, but does film truly provide a superior viewing experience to digital?

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Chad Stahelski’s John Wick

By Jim Hemphill | October 27, 2014

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Chad Stahelski’s John Wick

The surprise box-office hit harks back to classic vigilante movies of the past, with tough, clean action sequences and genuine, unflashy style.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Brian Trenchard-Smith’s Drive Hard

By Jim Hemphill | October 1, 2014

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Brian Trenchard-Smith’s Drive Hard

The Australian journeyman auteur's new under-the-radar genre movie treat is out Friday. Is it possible his versatility has also been his undoing?

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Sam Miller’s No Good Deed

By Jim Hemphill | September 15, 2014

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Sam Miller’s No Good Deed

What happens when an affable, movie-loving filmmaker tries to go watch a new movie for Talkhouse Film but instead is pushed to the brink?

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Daniel Schechter’s Life of Crime

By Jim Hemphill | August 27, 2014

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Daniel Schechter’s Life of Crime

A kidnapped wife whose husband doesn't want her back. A deft adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel. A young filmmaker showing his versatility.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Trish Sie’s Step Up All In

By Jim Hemphill | August 12, 2014

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Trish Sie’s Step Up All In

An impassioned love letter to the youth dance movie franchise, even though this fifth installment proves a disappointment.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks the Strange Allure of Straight-to-DVD Sequels

By Jim Hemphill | August 2, 2014

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks the Strange Allure of Straight-to-DVD Sequels

A journey into the often mediocre but oddly intoxicating realm of cut-price franchises.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Oliver Stone’s Alexander: The Ultimate Cut

By Jim Hemphill | July 30, 2014

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Oliver Stone’s Alexander: The Ultimate Cut

Is it possible that the best film of 2014 is actually the fourth release version of a movie from 2004?!

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Clint Eastwood’s Jersey Boys

By Jim Hemphill | June 27, 2014

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Clint Eastwood’s Jersey Boys

Clint Eastwood's Jersey Boys made me almost unbearably nostalgic, but not in the ways you might think.

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Hollywood’s Prejudice Against the Western

By Jim Hemphill | June 7, 2014

Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Hollywood’s Prejudice Against the Western

When I read that A Million Ways to Die in the West was underperforming at the box office, my heart sank. Not because I liked the film...