ON THE SHELF: Billy Wilder, Double Indemnity (1944)

When I think of classic Hollywood film noir, I think of this. Black and white picture, cigarettes smoked like they were made of candy, crazy dames, some unintentionally funny, dated dialogue (“They know more tricks than a carload of monkeys”). It’s the perfect rainy day companion, and for a movie made in the early ‘40s, it never gets old. [read more...]

ON THE SHELF: William Friedkin, The French Connection (1971)

Search for a film with a thrilling car chase scene today, and more often than not, you’ll have to settle for a movie that’s big on style and short on substance. But there was a time when films put just as much thought into developing their stories as they did in timing collisions. The French Connection did just that in 1971, earning 5 Academy Awards (including Best Picture), widespread acclaim and tons of respect from those in and outside of the industry. It deserved every bit of what it got. [read more...]

McG, Terminator Salvation

Every once in a while, that rare summer blockbuster will come along that can both please its target audience and restrain critics from thinking up new ways of saying, “It sucked.” Most times, however, actions films released between the months of April and August are short on substance and, ultimately, quickly forgotten. Last year’s Christian Bale-starrer The Dark Knight definitely fell into the first category. This one, however, not so much. [read more...]

ON THE SHELF: Cristian Mungiu, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007)

2007 was a popular year for unplanned pregnancies. Cinematically, I mean. It was an especially kind time for movie characters that decided to keep their unexpected guests and live happily ever after. But one film went a different path. It struck a more serious tone, avoided any cliché ending, and went on to claim numerous awards and widespread critical praise. It may not have been as commercially successful as either Juno or Knocked Up, but what it lacked in commerce it made up for in quality. [read more...]

James Gray, Two Lovers

It’s 2007. I’m in France at the Cannes Film Festival, and one of the movies I make it my mission to see is We Own the Night, a James Gray film starring Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix. Despite the French audience reaction, I find the film to be one of the most generic, forgettable cop movies I’ve seen. It’s 2009. I recall those same feelings as I enter the Cine theatre for the presentation of Two Lovers. It’s the same director and the same leading man. The results are a little different, though. I kind of like this one. [read more...]