Leonor Reyes was once a groundbreaking figure in the Filipino film industry during its ragtag action cinema glory days, but now she struggles with old age, mounting bills, and the untimely death of her son. While revisiting an unfinished script about a fearless protagonist trying to avenge his brother’s murder, Leonor is struck on the… Read more »
Tag: comedy films
The Real Pee-wee
It’s hard to over-emphasize how solidly Paul Reubens’ star persona is fused with his famous character, Pee-wee Herman. Reubens created Pee-wee in the late ’70s during his tenure with the famous L.A. improv group The Groundlings. Initially, Pee-wee was childlike but not created for specifically for children. As a stage show in the early ’80s,… Read more »
Conversations on Society in Triangle of Sadness
Yaya (Charlbi Dean Kriek) and Carl (Harris Dickinson) fight and snap at each other throughout their introduction to us in Triangle of Sadness. Their conversation revolves around paying the bill at a fancy dinner; other topics such as power dynamics in their relationship and gendered expectations in relationships are broached as the conversation expands. They… Read more »
The Awards Paradox
Guest post by Dr. Alicia Kozma, Director of IU Cinema. While, conventionally, the beginning of a new year brings resolutions and new beginnings, in Hollywood the new year is the start of the big push towards awards season. “Awards season” is a bit of a misnomer, as it indicates a discrete, bounded segment of time,… Read more »
Physical Media Isn’t Dead, It Just Smells Funny: Criterion and Imprint Reviews for December, Kino Lorber Holiday Gift Guide, and Picks of the Year for 2022
Full transparency: all Blu-rays reviewed were provided by Kino Lorber, Fun City Editions, the Criterion Collection, Imprint Films, Arrow Video, 88 Films US, Dekanalog, and Vinegar Syndrome. Well, here we are everyone: at the end of another calendar year for this column and another incredible year for physical media. We saw long-awaited releases, upgrades… Read more »
Every Line Matters: The Magnificent Details of Rushmore (1998)
There are many things that I love about Rushmore (1998), the second film directed by Wes Anderson and the first that he co-wrote with frequent collaborator Owen Wilson. I adore its airtight structure, idiosyncratic sense of humor, and secret sense of warmth. But more than anything, I love how Anderson and his collaborators develop their… Read more »