Original poster for Pan’s Labyrinth Jesse Pasternack explains how Pan’s Labyrinth develops one of filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro’s most frequent themes. There are some films which wash away the years when you revisit them. Every time I return to Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), writer-director Guillermo Del Toro’s midcareer masterpiece, I feel like I’m sixteen again. That’s… Read more »
Poster for Real Genius Jesse Pasternack looks back at the comedic work Val Kilmer brought to the screen in the ’80s and how it precipitated his later movie stardom. Val Kilmer was one of the most beloved American actors of the second half of the 20th century. Over the course of his decades-long career, he… Read more »
Poster for Y Tu Mamá También Jesse Pasternack explains why the use of voiceover narration excels in Alfonso Cuarón’s coming-of-age classic. Y Tu Mamá También (2001) has one of the best uses of voiceover narration in the history of cinema. Writers Alfonso Cuarón (who also directed it) and his brother Carlos use it not just… Read more »
Shrek 2 (2004) Jesse Pasternack makes his case for why the second Shrek film is a terrific continuation of the original. Shrek 2 (2004) is one of the best sequels ever made. The directors and writers brilliantly build out their characters’ world, add some iconic new characters, and challenge the original ones in ways that… Read more »
Poster for GoodFellas Jesse Pasternack praises the writing of GoodFellas scribe Nicholas Pileggi and its contributions to the iconography of the Martin Scorsese classic. Most people remember GoodFellas (1990) for its images and music. They think of the Copacabana scene, in which the camera elegantly glides as the Crystals song “Then He Kissed Me” plays, or the… Read more »
Franka Potente as the titular character in Run Lola Run Jesse Pasternack explains how the indie classic’s non-stop propulsion is achieved through its music, editing, and more. Run Lola Run (1998) is one of the most energetic movies ever made. Everything about it, from its narrative to its editing and even its music, combines to… Read more »