It certainly isn’t news that most films are made by men. Women have been working for the chance to be directors for a very long time. Half the Picture, a documentary by Amy Adrion, speaks with some of the women directors who have found success about the hurdles that they have faced. Among those interviewed are… [Read More]
Thelma – Spooky Self-Discovery
While I’m not a fan of supernatural events in horror films, this film does an excellent job of building tension. This is a spooky story as it plays out.
Black Butterfly – Deadly Mind Games
What makes a film frightening? Is it a monster or sudden noises? Those can get the adrenaline flowing. But to really get people, you have to go for their minds. Black Butterfly seeks to create a story that pulls us in with the mind games being played out on screen.
Thursday (the final day) at NBFF
I’ve reached the final day of Newport Beach Film Festival. I’ve managed to take in a load of films, but there are a whole lot more I could get to.
Elle – Obsessions and Revenge
“It’s twisted.” That brief line of dialogue defines Paul Verhoeven’s Elle in more ways than one. The plot certainly has very interesting turns along the way, but the convolutions of the personalities are what really make this entertaining and interesting. This is an intense psychological thriller, with the accent on psychological. Michèle (Isabelle Huppert) is… [Read More]
The Duel – Spiritual Captivity in the Old West
The idea of captivity is important to the film, although it often seems to be operating in the background. There are physical captives, but there are also emotional spiritual captives. These later forms are perhaps even more dangerous that the physical imprisonment of some.
