Jeffrey Overstreet

A few of Jeffrey Overstreet’s favorite big screen moments of 2009.

Filmwell’s Ron Reed is celebrating his birthday today, and we’d like to invite you to participate in the party. Here’s how: Since Ron is not only a passionate cinephile, but also the Artistic and Executive Director of the excellent Pacific Theatre in Vancouver B.C., let’s honor Ron by revisiting and recommending our favorite stage-to-screen productions. […]

David Brooks in The New York Times turns his attention from America’s occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan to humanity’s occupation of Pandora: Cameron’s handling of the White Messiah fable is not the reason “Avatar” is such a huge global hit. As John Podhoretz wrote in The Weekly Standard, “Cameron has simply used these familiar bromides […]

The Filmwell writers continue to explore their favorite scenes of 2009, as Michael S. Smith remembers Public Enemies, A Christmas Tale, and 35 Shots of Rum.

In this series, Filmwell writers remember the scenes that they will carry with them as souvenirs from 2009. Today: Mike Hertenstein and Jason Morehead

Surprisingly overlooked in 2009’s parade of critics’ awards and top ten lists, this remarkable film and its lead performance deserve closer examination.

Film Comment: If you look across the contemporary filmmaking landscape, which peers would you name as allies, which are the ones whose work you cherish the most? Michael Haneke: I’d have to say Kiarostami. He is still unsurpassed. As Brecht put it, “simplicity is the hardest thing to achieve.” Everyone dreams of doing things simply […]

This week, people around the world are celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall. If only other symbols of injustice and oppression could be torn down like that. Consider this week’s second most significant anniversary: It’s been 15 years since the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s famous snubbing of Steve James’ documentary Hoop […]

Wim Wenders’ Palme d’Or-winning masterpiece is finally available in the extravagant Criterion Collection package it deserves.