Films That Matter
An Impossible Mission
How do you wrap up a franchise like Mission: Impossible? That is, if this even is the final installment... as they’ve made it sound (while at the same time, stars not named ‘Tom Cruise’ pipe up and suggest that might not be so). It has been twenty-nine years, with different writers and visionary directors – from twisty Brian De Palma and the action hair stylings of John Woo, to the lens flares of J.J. Abrams and animation expert Brad Bird, it was only about ten years ago that the franchise decided to opt for The Usual Suspects scribe Christopher McQuarrie for the final four. To return to that opening question once more, you could end with a Sopranos’ style cliffhanger, simply make another entertaining movie like the many before – like Everybody Loves Raymond did it with its final episode, or try to tie everything up in a neat little bow by bringing everything together as the Daniel Craig era did with James Bond. Well, it is definitely more along the lines of the latter example, with some distinct differences.
-
Star Pick with Marcus Ovnell
Get Busy Living. . .The Shawshank RedemptionFebruary 2, 2016Marcus Ovnell, the writer/director of the excellent Swedish film The Break-In, is flying down to Cornwall, Ontario, Canada to premiere the above mentioned movie at the historic Port Theatre on Friday, February 12th, 2016 at 7:15 P.M. As a lead up to the very special event, enjoy this interview with the filmmaker from when we spoke at the St. Lawrence International Film Festival a few months earlier. It was clear from the very beginning that Ovnell has a great passion for cinema (especially American). Being a gargantuan fan of films, it took him a minute to narrow down his pick, with Shawshank Redemption taking the top spot in the end.
-
Make Space for this Room
RoomJanuary 31, 2016Though most people would call the highly regarded Academy Award nominated film Room a searing drama, to me, if you boil it down to its base element, it is a horror picture – not the type that we now call horror, with chainsaws, gore and excessive violence, but one that causes the viewer to feel fear and shock in the most realistic and human of ways, thus making it a very powerful and hard-hitting viewing experience. And a highly worthwhile one at that.
-
Men are from Mars
The MartianJanuary 29, 2016There are a wide array of interesting and unique motion pictures nominated for this years 88th Academy Awards – from big budget epics to small time period pieces. One that follows the former is the Ridley Scott space saga The Martian.
-
Movie Sequel is Equal to Original Saga
The Godfather: Part IIJanuary 27, 2016Abe Vigoda passed away today at the age of 94. Vigoda enjoyed a long career in the film and television world, with standout roles in The Godfather Part 1 and Part 2 as well as in the comedy series Barney Miller. Though, perhaps more recently he is best remembered for his short but vital part in the hilarious Superbowl Snickers commercial featuring Betty White. In honor of Vigoda, The Godfather Part II will be reviewed here today.
-
Going Off the Rails On This Crazy Train
SnowpiercerJanuary 24, 2016There is something that has always drawn me to movies that are set on trains. This unique setting boasts many themes that a screenwriter and director can play with. Not only does it lend itself to a claustrophobic place for a mystery thriller, but it also may symbolize the old world, romance or an epic journey. There is also the thinly veiled partition that separates class divisions (travel through a door and you may have plain economy style or lavish burled walnut compartments with sleek curtains where the richest of the rich relax).
-
Like a Fine Wine
Arsenic and Old LaceJanuary 22, 2016It is usually quite easy to spot a film that is based on a stage play, as the movie is generally set in one, never-changing location. Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope and Gene Saks’ The Odd Couple are just two examples of iconic films that originally came from the stage, and the same can be said for the movie being reviewed here today – the 1944 Frank Capra black comedy Arsenic and Old Lace.
