Four years ago, I was blown away by Ink, the second feature from Colorado-based filmmaker Jamin Winans. Ink was not without its flaws, but ultimately, I found it to be a stunning and thought-provoking fantasy film. Or, as I wrote in my review: Ink definitely wears its heart on its sleeve, and is packed with themes of redemption, guilt, […]
What if movies aren’t so bad they’re good, but so good they’re good?
Does Manos: The Hands of Fate really deserve the title of “worst movie of all time”? What does that term even mean?
Brett McCracken explores one of the more mysterious characters in The Tree of Life, and the theological ramifications of their identity. Among the many questions prompted by a close viewing of this finale sequence–and indeed, the whole film–is the identity and meaning of the mystery woman seen with Jessica Chastain’s older and younger self in […]
Since becoming a parent, I’ve become acutely aware of movies that deal with the impact that parents, and particularly fathers, have on their children’s lives, for better or worse. Hirokazu Kore-Eda’s Still Walking fascinated me so because of that theme. Malick’s The Tree of Life left me shaking and undone because of it. It explains why, […]
The film is ultimately an examination of how even seemingly random events are subtly connected in ways that nobody can truly foresee, and how even the most insignificant or arbitrary decision or action can have far-reaching consequences.
Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki was recently interviewed about his work with Terrence Malick on The Tree of Life, and discusses some of the technical aspects of working with the acclaimed director. But this is perhaps the most interesting bit: Lubezki, who has since made his third film with Malick, an untitled love story with Ben Affleck and Rachel […]
Midnight Eye’s Mark Player has written a fascinating and very in-depth essay on the sub-genre of Japanese cyberpunk cinema and its major figures (e.g., Shinya Tsukamoto, Shozin Fukui), notable films (e.g., Tetsuo: The Iron Man, Electric Dragon 80,000V, Akira, Rubber’s Lover), and themes. The world of live-action Japanese cyberpunk is a twisted and strange one indeed; a far cry […]
Hollywood’s remake of Park Chan-Wook’s OldBoy has been percolating for several years now. Steven Spielberg was originally attached to direct Will Smith in the lead role, but earlier this year, it was announced that Spike Lee would be directing Josh Brolin based on Mark Protosevich’s screenplay. While Lee struck many as a more appropriate directorial choice […]