Films That Matter
Singing the Blues
It is not too often that a mid or post-credit sequence leaves much of an impact as things come to a close. Usually meant to add a few final jokes to a comedy (think Airplance! or Old School), show some silly bloopers, or tease for a future film (Marvel has thrived thanks to these hints pointing towards coming storylines and movies), a rare example of something having a true impact on a narrative is Ryan Coogler’s period horror film Sinners (2025). A most dynamic feature melding many intriguing elements, the first thing that will be noticed is the time and setting – Clarksdale, Mississippi during the Great Depression (specifically 1932). Following twin brothers ‘Smoke’ and ‘Stack’ Moore (both played by Michael B. Jordan), and to a slightly lesser extent their cousin Sammie...
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The Tramp Finds his Voice
The Great DictatorMarch 13, 2014In 1939, it was known that Charlie Chaplin was making a new film.
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Westerns, Eastwood Style
High Plains DrifterMarch 10, 2014It is hard to believe that Clint Eastwood has been directing movies for over four decades. His second directorial effort, the 1973 western High Plains Drifter, is now celebrating its 40th year.
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War, What is it Good For?
Paths of GloryMarch 2, 2014Stanley Kubrick, one of the great directors of the 20th Century, was a unique artist who was able to experiment with many different genres throughout his four plus decades of work. From film noir to horror, Kubrick’s movies were varied so that no two were similar, other than perhaps in theme. Of his 13 motion pictures, only two were war based, with the 1987 Vietnam narrative Full Metal Jacket being one of his most iconic. Yet, I am going to talk about his earlier anti-war film, the 1957 classic Paths of Glory.
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A Tribute to the Master of Suspense
Blow OutJanuary 26, 2014Alfred Hitchcock is often considered to be one of the greatest directors of all-time and I would have to agree with that assessment. His genius at building a suspenseful story through the camera lens in films such as Vertigo, The Birds, Rear Window, North By Northwest, to name a few, place him at the top of the list. One active director who would wholeheartedly agree is Brian De Palma.
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Not That Clouseau
DiaboliqueOctober 30, 2013When hearing the name Clouseau, most people automatically think of the bumbling French detective made famous by comedy genius Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther movies, or the uninspired remakes with Steve Martin. Yet I am not referring to that character, instead I am talking about serious film director Henri-Georges Clouzot who directed the horror mystery/thriller Les Diaboliques in 1955.
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The Vintage Horror Feel
The OrphanageOctober 16, 2013Too many horror movies today tend to go for cheap thrills, such as jump-scares and graphic violence, rather than focusing on what makes the genre so special – slow-building suspense and a thick and eerie atmosphere. There is nothing wrong with mixing the two together, but too often directors forget about the mood of the film altogether. It is quite rare to find slow-burning and cleverly crafted horror films such as past classics like The Shining or The Changeling. Some of the most recent motion pictures that do capture this more vintage style of horror film are from Spanish speaking countries such as Spain and Mexico. It has been quite impressive to watch the sizeable amount of these style of horror films emerge over the past decade or so. One such film is the 2007 horror flick The Orphanage.