Daniel Radcliffe in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story Ben van Welzen breaks down how musician biopics like Weird: The Al Yankovic Story and I’m Not There go beyond the usual tropes to match the allure of their subjects. What is the purpose of the musician’s biopic? The cynic may say the films take advantage of… Read more »
Leni Riefenstahl directing a film for the Nazi Party Ben van Welzen considers how film was used to both exalt and expose the evil of WWII, as demonstrated by the opposing approaches and ideologies of Leni Riefenstahl and Alain Resnais. Film is propaganda. An effective film penetrates the mind, circumvents rational thought, and — in… Read more »
Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in Some Like It Hot Ben van Welzen details how the Austrian filmmaker’s past informed his work and subsequently elevated American cinema. In 1906, a boy was born in a 10-square-mile town in a country that no longer exists, about to spend the first three decades of his life in… Read more »
Still from Blade Runner with added significance in the director’s cut Ben van Welzen examines the trend of filmmakers returning to their films with modern technology as they contemplate their original or new vision for their work. “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not… Read more »
Frances McDormand in Fargo Ben van Welzen parses how the Coen Brothers reimagined such genres as the Western and film noir to create their own unique cinematic touchstones. A snowy Midwestern crime thriller, a comedic bowling neo-noir, a bluegrass musical Odyssey, a greyish New York character piece, an Old Hollywood caper — these are all… Read more »
Rey and Luke in The Last Jedi Critically acclaimed yet divisive amongst fans, Rian Johnson’s Star Wars sequel has had a lasting effect on the franchise, as explained by Ben van Welzen, one of our newest regular contributors. “Let the past die. Kill it if you have to.” These words, spoken by antagonist Kylo Ren… Read more »