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Review & Recap: ’The Knick’ Season 2, Episode 10, ‘This Is All We Are’
18 December 2015 11:00 PM, PST
If last week we saw the physical destruction of The Knick, with a fire consuming and obliterating the construction of the new hospital, the season finale, “This Is All We Are,” finds the emotional and personal lives of many of the characters following suit. Whatever glimmers of hope, or shafts of light illuminating suggested innocence there might have been across the season, it's revealed that beneath everybody lies pain and darkness. “The Knick” goes out with a bold finish, one that can only see a radical change, if we are to see a third season. It perhaps speaks to the worldview of Jack Amiel and Michael Begler that the show’s most ethically compromised, and bigoted character, is the one who gets the biggest reward. But that doesn’t mean bad behavior doesn’t go unpunished, nor hubris. From their pen, sympathy is just a recipe for future disappointment, good intentions hide sinister motives, »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Watch: 11-Minute Supercut Totals Tarantino’s Kill Count
18 December 2015 2:20 PM, PST
Quentin Tarantino likes to be seen as a provocateur. With his eighth flick, “The Hateful Eight,” gearing up to add some mayhem to the holiday movie scene, he has, like always, found himself giving good copy during the press rounds (just the other day, he said Disney was “going out of their way to fuck” him on the release of ‘Hateful Eight’). Similarly, his films have always walked the line between provocative and thoughtful, especially with his depiction of violence and what some call his gratuitous glorification of it. But no matter your feelings on the subject, one thing is certain: Qt doesn’t intend for it to be taken at face value. Read More: What’s Left? Quentin Tarantino Talks The Remaining Movies He Could Make Before Retirement A couple of years back, around the time of the release of “Django Unchained,” Kevin B. Lee put together a video »
- Gary Garrison
Marrakech Reviews: Jawad Rhalib's 'Rebellious Girl' And Keiko Tsuruoka's 'Lingering Memories'
18 December 2015 2:02 PM, PST
“Rebellious Girl” A co-production between Morocco and Belgium, “Rebellious Girl” (French title: “Insoumise”) is directed by Jawad Rhalib, known primarily for his documentary work. There’s a strong social commentary in “Rebellious Girl” as well, the optimistic aura of which overwhelms the storytelling. The “insoumise” in question is Laila (Sofiia Manousha), a young, energetic social activist in Morocco. The scenes of her activism are fairly generic and anonymous, marked by acoustic guitar strumming and standard street protest. There’s no elucidation of the issues at stake, but it’s really just a device for her to throw up her hands and head for Europe, seeking work as a seasonal fruit picker in Belgium. Once installed at an apple farm, it quickly becomes clear that Laila’s activist spirit won’t be tamed. While she connects with the diverse group of workers, she’s angered by the living conditions and questionable overtime payment, »
- Katie Walsh
Watch: 5-Minute Video Essay Explores What It Means To Be ‘Lynchian’
18 December 2015 1:43 PM, PST
There certainly aren't many artists, directors, writers, or creators who have developed such a personal aesthetic that they’re superficially recognized. The moment you turn on a screen or open a book, you know whose work you’re observing instantly. In particular, not many filmmakers have their name attributed to a widely-used adjective. I’ve certainly used Kubrick-ian from time to time, but perhaps the only living director with whose name also denotes a particular style is David Lynch. Read More: Retrospective: The Films Of David Lynch An anomaly in many senses of the word, Lynch has a decades-spanning career working in many mediums — short films, features, music, fine art, sculpture — and in each of those categories his work is undeniably, well, Lynchian. Just last year I was fortunate enough to see Lynch interviewed live at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and as a subject, he speaks and narrates like no other human being. »
- Samantha Vacca
Watch: 13-Minute Video Essay Takes A Bite Out Of The T-Rex Attack In ‘Jurassic Park’
18 December 2015 1:25 PM, PST
This summer a little film called “Jurassic World” stomped into theaters and smashed opening day records (it also earned $511 million worldwide). Before the release, success was by no means a sure thing, and there were a lot of unknowns: Chris Pratt had only lead one movie, Colin Trevorrow had only directed a small-scale indie previously, and neither of the previous two ‘Jurassic’ films accomplished what Steven Spielberg's original did in 1993. While the film happened to be one of the most fun blockbusters of the year, some of that credit must go to Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park,” to which “Jurassic World” paid loads of homage. Read More: Watch First Trailer For Steven Spielberg’s Roald Dahl Adaptation ‘The Bfg’ To take a look back at just how awesome “Jurassic Park” is and how innovative much of the filmmaking was, a new video essay digs into the famous tyrannosaurus rex attack. »
- Gary Garrison
Watch: Murder Is Thicker Than Marriage In Trailer For Kelly Reichardt's Newly Restored 'River Of Grass'
18 December 2015 1:04 PM, PST
Kelly Reichardt made her debut feature over twenty years ago with "River Of Grass." The 1994 film picked up four Indie Spirit Award nominations but has been out of circulation for good while now. However, the folks at Oscilloscope Laboratories teamed with Sundance, UCLA Film & Television Archive, and Tiff to restore the picture and give it the attention it didn't quite get the first time out. And a new trailer is here to celebrate their efforts and the re-release of the movie. Read More: Kristen Stewart Joins Kelly Reichardt's Untitled Montana Drama With Michelle Williams And More Starring Larry Fessenden and Lisa Bowman, the story focuses on Cozy and Lee Ray, who become an unlikely pair on the run, when their innocent misadventures take more slightly more dangerous turn. Here's the synopsis from Tiff: Set in the area of southern Florida where Reichardt grew up — the swampy and sweltering suburbs of Broward and Dade counties, »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Watch: New 31-Minute Talk With The Cast Of Quentin Tarantino’s 'The Hateful Eight'
18 December 2015 12:23 PM, PST
At this point, the pre-release hullaballoo surrounding Quentin Tarantino’s intimate new snow-speckled Western “The Hateful Eight” threatens to overshadow the promise of the film itself. Whether it’s the director’s decision to shoot his eighth outing on 65mm film and release it roadshow-style in 70mm Panavision, his recent controversial remarks about Disney, or the string of colorful, arrogant, and impassioned interviews he’s been giving lately, it seems like Tarantino is doing his damndest to make sure he gets people talking leading up to the release. Read More: Review: Quentin Tarantino's 'The Hateful Eight' Starring Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Samuel L. Jackson, And More While most of us will have to wait until Christmas Day or later to check into Minnie’s Haberdashery and see which of Q.T.’s eight nogoodniks really “isn’t who he says he is,” it appears the cast »
- Nicholas Laskin
Watch: New Video Essay Looks At The Best Cinematography Of 2015
18 December 2015 12:00 PM, PST
Well folks, now that the year in moviegoing has nearly come to a close, it’s time to take a look back at some of the most visually memorable movie moments of 2015. This has been a year of great-looking films, on both a large and small scale. “Tangerine,” shot on the iPhone 5s, found a gritty beauty in some of L.A.’s more squalid corners; Roger Deakins turned borderland savagery into bleak poetry with “Sicario;” and the great Ed Lachman transported audiences back to postwar suburban America in the luminous “Carol” (there’s also the lingering promise of a little film called “The Hateful Eight,” whose presentation for select audiences in 70mm Panavision has already caused a great deal of fuss). For those of you curious to relive the year in moving pictures, here’s a brief collection of some of 2015’s most stunning cinematic images. Read More: The »
- Nicholas Laskin
Interview: Jean-Pierre Jeunet Talks 'Amélie,' Creative Freedom On 'Alien: Resurrection,' Harvey Weinstein, And Much More
18 December 2015 11:46 AM, PST
Jean-Pierre Jeunet is everything you expect him to be and more. He’s like a character in one of his beloved, whimsical French classics. Which makes sense because much of his work is deeply personal, especially “Amélie,” for which he mined his own experiences. He’s the type of person who nonchalantly pulls out his phone to share photos of little creatures he’s crafted out of shells and leaves, and it makes perfect sense, like stepping into Jean-Pierre Jeunet film. Like Amélie, he sees the poetry and connections and small pleasures in the little things in life He’s very charming, very French, and totally frank and uncensored. Even though he claims not to believe in “that bullshit,” he’s rather spiritual, and mystical, speaking frequently of premonitions and other lives. While he’s dipped his toe into Hollywood filmmaking and has tangled with the likes of Harvey Weinstein, »
- Katie Walsh
Tarantino-Verse: ‘Inglourious Basterds' Connection To ‘The Hateful Eight’ Revealed, Plus Read The Script For The Film
18 December 2015 11:12 AM, PST
**Spoilers ahead. Please do not read if you have not seen “The Hateful Eight.” Come back and read this after you’ve seen the movie, please.** Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight” (read our review) is almost upon us and that means more of the movie is beginning to surface, including the full soundtrack and other intriguing details. When I first saw the wintry western in 70mm I noticed two references to the Tarantino universe. One was pretty straightforward and not very spoiler-y at all: the characters that smoke all pull drags on Red Apple, the brand of cigarettes that are popular in Tarantino's films. You won't find them in “Reservoir Dogs” or “Django Unchained,” but a video tribute below shows that they appear pretty much everywhere else. Read More: Review: Quentin Tarantino's 'The Hateful Eight' Starring Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Samuel L. Jackson, And More The second connection is much, »
- Rodrigo Perez
Watch: First Teaser For David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks' Season 3
18 December 2015 10:55 AM, PST
Clearly, Showtime is taking a long game approach to their revival of "Twin Peaks." It'll be over a year until any episodes land on the network, yet they want to get the excitement going very, very early as they've got a holiday treat with the first teaser for Season 3. Read More: Retrospective: The Films Of David Lynch Nope, you won't find any substantial footage or details revealed, rather, it's focused on setting a tone of moody nostalgia as die hard David Lynch fans get their pie and coffee ready for the return of the cult series. Lynch and company are trying to keep as much as possible under wraps, but we do know many of the original cast members are back for the story, which picks up 25 years after the events in the original run. Can it even live up to expectations? You'll find out in 2017, but first watch below. »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Review: 'Sisters' Starring Tina Fey And Amy Poehler
18 December 2015 10:27 AM, PST
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have cultivated the image of an ideal friendship, supporting one another as they dish out witty barbs aimed at pop culture and their own foibles. That's the stage version of their life, at least, and even though we all know it's an exaggerated version of the real thing, it's a nice fantasy, one we're eager to buy. Read More: Tina Fey And Amy Poehler Reunite In The New Trailer For 'Sisters' "Sisters" sells a slightly different version of that premise, with the two playing adult siblings who throw a giant party in their parents' soon-to-be-sold home. The party is, of course, more loaded than a simple shindig. The event is really a way to reach for those youthful dreams that were never quite available decades ago — things like social acceptance, basic responsibility, and the easy confidence of casual sex — and which are still beyond their grasp decades later. »
- Russ Fischer
Exclusive: 25-Minute MoMA Talk With Emily Blunt & Roger Deakins About 'Sicario'
18 December 2015 9:59 AM, PST
We've been throwing superlatives at Denis Villeneuve's "Sicario" all year, and it's hardly a surprise the white-knuckle, nerve-jangling thriller landed in the number two slot of our 20 Best Films Of 2015. At every level, the movie is executed with a high level of proficiency, and no element of the production is left as an afterthought. Two of the biggest reasons the film is such a success recently sat down for a conversation about the picture. Read More: The Best Cinematography Of 2015 Actress Emily Blunt and cinematographer Roger Deakins got together this week as part of MoMA Film's Contenders series for an in depth discussion about "Sicario." It's a rare talk in that it's not often you find actors and cinematographers speaking about their working relationship, and the discussion extends from there, diving into the process of collaboration and much more. It's a fascinating talk, and it's a reminder of the tremendous skill sets of those. »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Warner Bros. Considering 70mm Release For 'Batman v. Superman: Dawn Of Justice'
18 December 2015 9:29 AM, PST
While Paul Thomas Anderson and Christopher Nolan both struck 70mm prints for "The Master" and "Interstellar," respectively, the number of theaters presenting those films in the format was very small. However, thanks to Quentin Tarantino, The Weinstein Company, and the upcoming release of "The Hateful Eight," 100 locations in the United States are now equipped with projectors to handle 70mm film. It remains to be seen how much of a draw that is to audiences (the movie goes wide a week later digitally), but it seems other studios are keeping an eye to see how things play out. Read More: Doomsday Arrives In Epic New Trailer For 'Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice' THR reveals that Warner Bros. is mulling over releasing "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" in 70mm, as Zack Snyder shot parts of the movie in 65mm IMAX. The studio is also considering re-releasing catalog titles »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Oscar Foreign Film Shortlist Includes 'Son Of Saul,' 'A War,' And 'Mustang,' But 'The Assassin' Misses Out
18 December 2015 8:53 AM, PST
It's now down to nine. We're weeks away from the Oscar nominations being announced, which means the hard decisions are being made in various branches of the Academy, about which contenders have made the grade, and the others that will be left behind. In the Foreign Film category some big films have moved ahead, while others didn't make the grade. Among the critically acclaimed films named in the nine strong shortlist are Cannes breakout "Son Of Saul," French arthouse fave "Mustang," and Tobias Lindholm's "A War." But perhaps the biggest omission is Hou Hsiao-Hsien's celebrated "The Assassin." That's the way the cookie crumbles, and I'd presume the director's methodically paced picture didn't catch on with the majority of voters. Check out the shortlist below. [EW] Belgium, The Brand New Testament, Jaco Van Dormael, directorColombia, Embrace of the Serpent, Ciro Guerra, directorDenmark, A War, Tobias Lindholm, »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Listen: Full Soundtrack For Quentin Tarantino's 'The Hateful Eight' Including Ennio Morricone's Score And More
18 December 2015 8:08 AM, PST
The films of Quentin Tarantino usually manage to draw their fair share of controversy, whether it's from the language (in particular, his use of the n-word) or via the stylized violence. Indeed, master composer Ennio Morricone reveals he too had to have a long think about how the director depicted bloodshed in his films. Read More: Ranked: Quentin Tarantino's 50 Best Characters "I’ll say something I said to Quentin when he first came to Rome to visit me: I’ve been impressed and even shocked by the violence of some of his sequences. But after a long meditation process I realized that while we’re shocked by the horror of this violence, Tarantino’s position is always on the side of the victims and the underclass," he told Deadline. "Through violence he shows support for its victims. I’d like to ask whether that’s a correct interpretation, because »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Katherine Waterston Joins 'Alien: Covenant,' Ridley Scott Talks Reintroducing The Xenomorph
18 December 2015 7:50 AM, PST
While Rebecca Ferguson was on a streak for much of the year landing one role after another, she can't do it all. She was rumored for the lead female role in "Alien: Covenant" back in October, but another rising actress has landed the gig. Deadline reports that Katherine Waterston will join Michael Fassbender and Noomi Rapace (in a small role) in the "Prometheus" sequel that follows the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, who discover what they think is an uncharted paradise, but is actually a dark, dangerous world — whose sole inhabitant is the "synthetic" David, survivor of the doomed Prometheus expedition. It's certainly a big role for Waterston, who is moving with ease from roles in smaller, arthouse driven fare ("Queen Of Earth," "Inherent Vice") to more mainstream efforts (she's got a part in the upcoming "Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them"). Meanwhile, »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Listen: John Williams' Full Score For 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'
18 December 2015 7:30 AM, PST
May the force be with you, and your weekend spoiler free. Some jerks on the internet are already revealing the secrets of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" so you'd be best advised to turn off your social streams and stay away from your computer in general until you see what J.J. Abrams has cooked up for fans. But one way you can still feel the force before you see the movie is with the score, and the whole thing has landed, ready to take your ears to a galaxy far, far away. Read More: J.J. Abrams' 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Starring Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac & More John Williams returns to the franchise, and admittedly, while it's good work, nothing can top his original, iconic "Star Wars" compositions. Still, he nails the flavor we've come to expect from sonic backdrop to these films, »
- Kevin Jagernauth
First Look: Kristen Stewart In Olivier Assayas' 'Personal Shopper' & Michelle Williams In Kelly Reichardt's 'Certain Women'
18 December 2015 6:42 AM, PST
Two of our favorite auteurs are back in 2016 with new films, and as an early cinematic Christmas present, the first images from their films have arrived. We're talking about Olivier Assayas' "Personal Shopper" and Kelly Reichardt's "Certain Women," so let's get to it. Up above is a snap of Kristen Stewart (via Kristen Stewart News) in the French filmmakers next effort, which is a ghost story that takes place in the fashion underworld of Paris. That's about all the intel for now, and while there's no release date, you can probably make a firm bet on a Cannes Film Festival premiere in the spring. Meanwhile, Michelle Williams will be headed to Sundance for Reichardt's picture, which counts Todd Haynes and Larry Fessenden among the producers, and co-stars Stewart, Laura Dern, James Le Gros, Jared Harris, and Lily Gladstone for the Montana-set drama. Here's the synopsis: Certain Women drops »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Watch: New Trailer For 'Joy,' Plus Over 1 Hour Of Interviews With David O. Russell & Jennifer Lawrence, And More
18 December 2015 6:18 AM, PST
While David O. Russell divides critics with his go-for-broke approach which puts emotional impact before neatness of narrative, one can't help but admire his drive to achieve the best results possible. This has found him a longtime ally in star Jennifer Lawrence, who leads the upcoming "Joy," and shares his commitment to doing what it takes to get the job done. Read More: 'Joy' Soundtrack Includes The Rolling Stones, The Bee Gees, The Ronettes, Songs Performed By Jennifer Lawrence And More "I’ve watched Jennifer grow up and handle herself. I watch her now saying to the crew, 'I think we should work French hours,' which is a very Joy-like thing to do. Every union has to vote on it separately. You don’t have lunch. You don’t stop. What we found difficult was to start and stop and start again. So we said, 'Let’s just go, »
- Kevin Jagernauth
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