Shine a Light
Our eyes are the windows to the world. They are one of our most vital senses, and losing our vision is, in turn, probably one of every persons’ biggest fears. That is why the Spanish horror thriller Julia’s Eyes is one of the spookiest film concepts to come out in recent history. Written by Oriol Paulo and Guillem Morales (who also directs the picture), the visionary tale twists and turns as our protagonist, Julia Levin
Star Pick with G.J. Echternkamp
Hollywood studios have long used focus groups as a way to determine if audiences like a film. And, for just as long as they’ve been around, there have been complaints about them: ‘Who are the people who comprise the focus groups?’, ‘Do they have any insider movie knowledge?’, ‘Why are they more knowledgeable than the screenwriters and directors who have made the film?’, "Why are studios changing the ending of a movie just because a few random people disliked it?’.
Nice Guys Finish First
Putting Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe together as an action comedy duo seems like a rather unorthodox and risky venture. Both have been able to add touches of humour to certain roles in their impressive resumes, yet they have generally been considered dramatic actors – with neither having truly had the chance to test their jocular delivery. So, it is perhaps slightly surprising that the duo have excellent comedic chemistry and timing in their new film The Nice Guys.
Bright Hope for the Western Genre
"This is why frontier life is so difficult. Not because of the Indians or the elements, but because of the idiots." Truer words may never have been spoken about the western genre; so many of these films seem to have their share of noble idiots who are unprepared yet undaunted by a seemingly impossible task. Though motion pictures featuring cowboys, sheriffs, bandits and the like have taken a downturn over the last several decades, there has been a small resurgence of quality independent westerns that have cropped up over the past year or so. One such movie (which is where the above quotation can be found) is the 2015 horror western Bone Tomahawk.
Star Pick with Brian O'Halloran
Often considered the best film of 1989, Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing sets the tone early with Rosie Perez (who plays Tina) dancing to Public Enemy’s song "Fight the Power". It was rather interesting to learn that Lee was actually influenced by Ann Margret’s opening in Bye Bye Birdie (which has a very different vibe). In any case, what follows is a powerful, character driven dramedy that widely encompasses life, death, race, poverty and everything in between – all found within the neighbourhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
Rollin’ on the River
Some stories feel as though they have been with us since the dawning of time. They deal with universal themes of love, coming of age, revenge and friendship. A film that feels like a modern retelling of a long since forgotten tale is the 2012 drama Mud. Clearly based upon Mark Twain’s yarns that feature Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, the plot follows modern day youths Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) as they come of age on the Arkansas River (a tributary of the Mississippi).