Jason Morehead

The Creators of "Ink" Return With "The Frame"

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, […]

Jason Morehead

The Divine Guide in Terrence Malick’s “Tree of Life”

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 […]

Jason Morehead

Last Fast Ride: The Life, Love, and Death of a Punk Goddess (Ayers, 2011)

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, […]

Jason Morehead

Fish Story (Yoshihiro Nakamura, 2009)

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.

Jason Morehead

Emmanuel Lubezki: Terrence Malick made me a different man

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 […]

Jason Morehead

The World of Japanese Cyberpunk Cinema

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 […]

Jason Morehead

A darker ending for Hollywood's "OldBoy"?

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 […]