film commentary Archives

On Joker, Fight Club and the Danger of Self-Fulfilling Cautionary Tales

By Adam Kritzer | October 7, 2019

On Joker, Fight Club and the Danger of Self-Fulfilling Cautionary Tales

Filmmaker Adam Kritzer examines the seductive and deeply problematic vision of Todd Phillips' new movie, and Fincher's classic which preceded it.

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

Film

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.

Corvette Summer, A Hidden Gem of New Hollywood

Film

By Jim Hemphill | August 21, 2019

Corvette Summer, A Hidden Gem of New Hollywood

Jim Hemphill celebrates the Blu-ray release of the 1978 film from the unheralded partnership of Hal Barwood and Matthew Robbins.

Look to the Bees

Film

By Alix Lambert | August 6, 2019

Look to the Bees

Filmmaker Alix Lambert on Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov's exquisitely beautiful and very timely documentary Honeyland.

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

Film

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.

William Gibson’s Version of Alien 3 Lives!

Film

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.

Why Killing Eve is the TV Show of My Eight-Year-Old Dreams

Film

By Savannah Knoop | May 30, 2019

Why Killing Eve is the TV Show of My Eight-Year-Old Dreams

Savannah Knoop, the “body” of J.T. LeRoy and J.T. LeRoy’s screenwriter, shares their deep love of the deliciously dark BBC comedy thriller.

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

Film

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.

Some Thoughts on Avengers: Endgame From the Writer-Director-Star of I Am a Sex Addict

Film

By Caveh Zahedi | April 30, 2019

Some Thoughts on Avengers: Endgame From the Writer-Director-Star of I Am a Sex Addict

With the help of his 10-year-old son, Caveh Zahedi takes a sideways look at Marvel's latest record-breaking epic.

Horrific and Spectacular: On Claire Denis’ High Life

Film

By Tim Sutton | April 15, 2019

Horrific and Spectacular: On Claire Denis’ High Life

Donnybrook writer-director Tim Sutton shares his feelings about the awe-inspiring and challenging new film by the French auteur.