Films about LGBT people that are aimed at mass audiences win awards; films about LGBT people that are aimed at LGBT audiences… not so much. So, here's the Queer, Isn't It? Best Pic nominees.
When this year's Academy Awards nominations were announced in January, LGBT film buffs scoured them in the annual ritual of counting the number of LGBT-oriented films that got nominations. Last year was the year of the lesbian, with both Black Swan and The Kids are All Right landing multiple nominations each. This year, the whole spectrum of the rainbow is represented. There's both transgenderism and lesbianism in Albert Knobbs, while The Girl with the Dragon…]]>What happens when an admitted auteur makes a grand -- and quite insular -- artistic statement? Critics are dumbfounded, which means it's time for our preservationist pair to break out the accolades.
Calum Marsh: As you know, Jordan, the films we tend to gravitate toward in this column are mostly obscure or neglected, like forgotten late-career coups by otherwise canonical directors or great films considered "minor" by the high guard. Zabriskie Point, an English-language drama by legendary Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni, represents a different sort of case altogether: widely available as an inexpensive, reasonably high-quality Region 1 DVD and unforgotten by anyone who's seen it, Zabriskie Point's…]]>Body and Soul and Defining Beauty: Ms. Wheelchair America both feature admirable subjects who have "overcome obstacles," and also take refreshingly unconventional approaches to these subjects.
"I can't answer the questions people sometimes ask," says Mariana Tembe. When people ask how she gets dressed on her own, or how she takes a bath, she can only say that she does it like they do. She dresses her young son, then sits him on the bed beside her, combs his hair and then combs her own. "For me, it's essential to be pretty," she smiles. Mariana lives just outside Maputo, Mozambique's capital…]]>Ben Gazzara: 1930 - 2012. What can you say about Gazzara? He was relevant in every decade going back to the '50s.
Still reeling from the sad news about Don Cornelius, it's painful to acknowledge the loss of another irreplaceable master, Ben Gazarra. Some good tributes out there. What can you say about Gazzara? He was relevant in every decade going back to the '50s. And it wasn't just his longevity or his unique, idiosyncratic style(s); he was old school in the sense that he radiated that aura: above all, he was a man.That might not sound…]]>Though this was clearly a defining year for the actress, here are five other interesting things to know about the Oscar nominee's career in the entertainment industry.
The votes are in! The list of nominees for the 84th annual Academy Awards was announced on January 24th by the lovely Jennifer Lawrence. While most of the contenders were predictable, given their recent nominations for Golden Globe or SAG awards, going into the process the one wild card in the bunch was this summer’s female-driven blockbuster comedy Bridesmaids. Though the Academy has not favored comedies in the past, there was speculation that the film…]]>Though this was clearly a defining year for the actress, here are five other interesting things to know about the Oscar nominee's career in the entertainment industry.
The votes are in! The list of nominees for the 84th annual Academy Awards was announced on January 24th by the lovely Jennifer Lawrence. While most of the contenders were predictable, given their recent nominations for Golden Globe or SAG awards, going into the process the one wild card in the bunch was this summer’s female-driven blockbuster comedy Bridesmaids. Though the Academy has not favored comedies in the past, there was speculation that the film…]]>Ah the internet. Bottomless pit of knowledge about news past and present, outlet for self-expression, facilitator of human connection, and… mecca of questionably offensive video montage parodies?
Ah the internet. Bottomless pit of knowledge about news past and present, outlet for self-expression, facilitator of human connection, and… mecca of questionably offensive video montage parodies? Well ok, the last one isn’t really what most people generally think of when connecting to the world wide web, but a current trend of posting these videos in the form of “Sh*t People Say” is, in fact, taking the YouTube world by storm. It seems that the…]]>Beautifully and evocatively, Bill Morrison's film traces the changes of fortune for the mines and miners, the industry and communities of Northern England.
The shoreline seems far away at first, as the camera in Miners' Hymns approaches from over the sea. But it's not long before you're over land, green and yellow planting fields giving way to rows and rows of homes, roads and parking lots. A couple of titles note the former site of Ryhope Colliery (1857-1966) and then, the former site of Silksworth Collilery (1869-1971). These are the names of Durham coalfields, the dates marking their…]]>Looking beyond the aesthetic surface of the series, what is the true motivation behind Mad Men’s frank depictions of these troubled social times? Is sexism being used as some sort of nostalgic trope, or does Mad Men actually delve deeper and explore these issues?
Mad Men chronicles the lives of Madison Avenue advertising executives in the early 1960s. The show revolves around an advertising agency called Sterling Cooper, later Sterling Cooper Draper Price (SCDP), and its enigmatic Creative Director Don Draper. Since its premiere on AMC in the summer of 2007, Mad Men has received overwhelming critical acclaim for its “unflinching portrayal of Eisenhower/Kennedy-era sexism” (Schwarz, 4) and has built a dedicated viewership of rapid fans. Additionally, much has…]]>While some want to question his authorship, there is no denying the lasting influence of William Shakespeare. These 10 titles prove that with accolades to spare.
From declarations of undeniable greatness to questions of legitimacy, the literary world continues to be fascinated by one William Shakespeare. The famed playwright remains a historical enigma, a question almost everyone can answer outright, but can't fully understand completely. While the postmodern age has spent inordinate amounts of time trying to figure out if a failed actor in England really did create some of the most amazing theater pieces ever written, the various medias surrounding…]]>The journey in Unfinished Spaces begins with reconsidering the hopes and confusions of Cuba just after the Revolution, the politics and the struggles that go on to this day.
"To Fidel, everything had to be the greatest in the world," says Selma Diaz. "To him, they were the best in the world, not just the best in Latin America. They had to be the best schools of art in the world." Under her narration, the camera in Unfinished Spaces makes its way along brick corridors and up stone stairways. As the structure appears both old and empty, in some disrepair, you might guess this…]]>If you’re a statistically average person, what are your chances of following these people’s lead and successfully preparing for social collapse? Well, pretty long, unless you have quite a few acres of land lying fallow in the country and a couple hundred thousand extra dollars.
The American suburb is rooted in doomsday. Take the prototype of Levittown, modeled after the workers’ compartmentalized homes at the Oak Ridge Manhattan Project compound. Or, a decade later, Ike’s Interstate Highway System, which nurtured the modern suburb by enabling brisk commutes between city centers and outskirts but was mainly built to facilitate mass evacuation in the event of atomic war. There’s a reason the indivisible suburban unit’s called the “nuclear family.” So, how far…]]>Hopefully, the found footage gimmick will give way after the first episode, since it would be a shame to shoot all of the Amazon from one camera on some guy’s shoulder.
Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood) is the beloved host of the popular nature TV show, The Undiscovered Country. For 22 years, he's been bringing the world to people’s living rooms, telling his rapt audience that “there’s magic out there.” As The River opens, Emmet Cole is missing. He disappeared six months earlier on his latest expedition to the Amazon, which he took without his family or his usual crew. When Emmet is presumed dead, his son,…]]>Downton Abbey reveals not only the play of chance that often confounds choice, but the power of social class to confine choice within established boundaries -- and we're comfortable with that.
“Mitt Romney is a rich man, but is Mitt Romney’s character formed by his wealth? Is Romney a spoiled, cosseted character? Has he been corrupted by ease and luxury? The notion is preposterous.” -- David Brooks, “The Wealth Issue,” New York Times, 19 January 2012 “As a man is, so he sees.” -- William Blake Whether we believe or not that a person’s character can be formed by wealth or, for that matter, by poverty,…]]>Special programs devoted to cinematic greats like Alfred Hitchcock or Deborah Kerr might be the flashiest part of an archivist’s job, but fiction curator Jo Botting also enjoys tracking down rare films and ensuring the next generation gets to see them.
The theater lights dim, and everyone’s attention turns to the screen as a story comes to life. But what happens after the screenings end and the film is relegated to moviegoers’ memory? Who decides whether, years from now, that film will again grace another screen or be re-introduced to new audiences? Jo Botting, Fiction Curator at the British Film Institute (BFI) National Archive, can answer those questions first-hand. She helps ensure that the world’s cinematic…]]>Which Superbowl commercials did we love? What was just a waste of our time?
Advertisers fought for the favor of one of the biggest TV audiences of the year with heavily hyped commercials, and it mostly paid off for viewers. Though last year featured some great ads, 2012’s crop was just as good, if not better. Some viewers (including myself) complained of sexist overtones in some 2011 spots, but things finally seem to be somewhat headed in a new direction. Though there were far too many underdressed females (as…]]>Our School doesn't press its case -- that racism and inequality pervade the lives of Roma ("Gypsy") children in a small Romanian town -- as much as it lets it unfold.
I remember this narrow makeshift bridge some of the children would have to cross on their way to school every day. As a mom myself, I shuddered every time I saw these small kids crossing over a river on what was basically a rickety wooden ladder. But we felt that we owed it to them to try crossing it ourselves. Well, we couldn’t do it, not if our life depended on it…. In our minds,…]]>All of the central characters are people working at jobs. They're creative, highly skilled jobs for which few people are qualified, but they are jobs nonetheless.
Smash is not Glee. The urge to compare them is understandable: there just aren’t that many television shows where the cast routinely breaks into song. Both shows have a true love for musical theater and its fans. Btu, where Glee is a frothy, candy-colored romp, Smash is an earnest drama without much sign of a sense of humor. The high school kids in Glee (and many of their teachers) sing anywhere and everywhere. The singing…]]>Arguably the biggest sporting event of the year (sorry, Olympics!), the Super Bowl telecast is usually the highest-rated program of the year. Did this year’s show live up to the hype?
Arguably the biggest sporting event of the year (sorry, Olympics!), the Super Bowl telecast is usually the highest-rated program of the year. Last year’s mix of highly hyped commercials, a modern halftime act, and an interesting match-up of teams made Super Bowl XLV the most-watched show in TV history. Therefore, all eyes were on NBC last night for Super Bowl XLVI. Did this year’s show live up to the hype? Read on to find out.…]]>Filmmaker Kevin Smith may be in a celluloid slump, but his new podcast network is on point.
Just two years ago, Kevin Smith was at a crossroads. Cop Out, the first movie he directed from a script he didn't write, starring Tracy Morgan and Bruce Willis, tanked at the box office. It was the second straight box office bust for him after the weak performance of Zach and Miri Make a Porno. But Cop Out was different: it was panned by critics and not received warmly by his old fans. Burned by…]]>Windfall's long panning shots of the beautiful hills of Meredith, in the Catskill region of New York, show what residents want to preserve.
"A couple of guys from Airtricity knocked on my door," recalls Ron Bailey. "We signed a lease to have a turbine up on our hill. At least one turbine." His wife Sue adds, "I thought this would be a good idea, we'd be doing our part to end the country's oil dependency." As they speak, the camera in Windfall cuts from their faces to long panning shots of the hills of Meredith, in the Catskill…]]>The victim's childlike shuttling between male authority figures in times of crisis made me want to shake her, while her underdeveloped context made me want to shake the writer and director.
Secrets of Eden opens on Stephen Drew (John Stamos) at the wheel of his car. He's a well-liked pastor in small-town Vermont, but as we hear in a fatuous voiceover, appearances are deceptive. This unchallenging adaptation of Chris Bohjalian’s bestseller wishes it could be American Beauty. Or maybe Desperate Housewives. Right away, a series of crime-scene photos reveal the grisly crime at the movie's center, an apparent murder-suicide by a young couple named the Haywards.…]]>If you’re like me and are more jazzed about decorating chocolate covered strawberries to look like mini-footballs than about the big game, here is a list of some hotly anticipated things to look forward to when the ole’ pig skin is taking a breather.
For football fans out there Super Bowl XLVI means mile-high kicks, cringe-inducing sprints toward the goal line, and game-changing interceptions. For the rest of us, it means commercials… and hopefully chili. Known for it’s wide appeal and massive audience, the annual Superbowl broadcast tends to attract the cream of the product-hawking crop. It’s become so renowned that there’s almost an unspoken competition among companies to air the commercial everyone will be chatting about long after…]]>The New Nostalgia, despite every dyspeptic bone in my body, is not necessarily a bad thing -- particularly in thoughtful hands, like those of Martin Scorsese or Steven Spielberg. The New Nostalgia is about dipping into movie history to rediscover the joy of moviegoing itself.
Chicago Tribune (MCT) -- CHICAGO — A couple of years ago, Bruce Sheridan, chair of the film program at Columbia College, noticed a curious thing happening. A few of the film majors who interned on the Chicago production of “The Dark Knight” had started making their student films and, as expected, Christopher Nolan’s brooding, zeitgeisty, state-of-the-union-address of a superhero epic was a big influence. Less expected was the sort of movies it inspired. Film students have always gravitated to…]]>Soul Train creator/host Don Cornelius will be remembered--and should hereafter be celebrated--for giving a voice to Black America, and he should also be acknowledged—and praised—for making White America less white.
A genuine American icon has left the planet. People born during or after the '80s might know Soul Train creator and host Don Cornelius mostly from name-checks in interviews, songs, and clips on YouTube. And there is nothing wrong with that. But for us older folks, we knew the man. Some of us grew up with him. If a picture can sometimes speak more eloquently than words, a video can function as a truth bomb…]]>The context for the whales' plight is conveyed in Big Miracle by TV, glimpsed in the backgrounds of scenes where people are talking about... TV.
"We have to be close enough to touch," Malik (John Pingayak) tells his young grandson, Nathan (Ahmaogak Sweeney). This as their boat draws near a spouting whale and the Inupiat hunter aboard raises his harpoon. A cut to a black screen ensures you don't see what happens next, though you are advised that Big Miracle is "inspired by a true story." That story occurred in October 1988, when George H.W Bush was campaigning to succeed…]]>Chronicle misses the point of the found-footage film -- that the point of view is unstable and immersive, making you doubt what you see.
"I'm filming this," announces Andrew (Dane DeHaan), his pawn-shop video camera aimed at the mirror on his bedroom door. On the other side, his father (Michael Kelly) bangs ominously, drunk again. "I bought a camera, and I'm filming everything from here on out." His father bangs a few more times, the door shakes, and Drew stands back from the camera's steady red light, pleased that he's found a way to repel the monster, for a…]]>Mrs. Drablow’s creepy, dilapidated mansion, Eel Marsh House, is the most fantastic haunted house imaginable, both attracting and repelling us.
Like a lot of people who watch scary movies, I can be scared and also not-so-secretly a little bit delighted by being freaked out. That's the point of the entire venture, of course, exemplified by The Woman in Black. It's an old-fashioned ghost story, the kind we tell each other as kids to scare each other to death. The kind about ghosts that are out to get kids and about ghosts who are kids. Based…]]>Serge Marcotte's The Sickroom compresses Franz Kafka's A Country Doctor into a nightmarish rush of hard-boiled film noir cynicism that, like all the best literary adaptations, is simultaneously faithful and unique.
One morning, when Retro Remote woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin: he realised that he hated short films. Perhaps it was the delayed after-effects of enforced undergraduate film project screenings, perhaps it was the blatant "calling card" mentality of the productions, perhaps it was just the recurring tendency to be "cute" or "clever" rather than, y'know, interesting, or perhaps the converse tendency towards impossible pretension (something…]]>