Kurosawa, Shimura and Mifune by this point are in full swing. There is nothing in the world that matches their ability to relay a story.
Tag: Jeff Nichols
Loving (*****) brick by brick
#loving is one incredible true film event. If you can see it, do so. This should see plenty of nominations, but probably won't because it's not tied to an agenda.
Midnight Special (****) has a familiar shine
Nichols succeeds with this story, but not to the level of his previous work. The pace works, and the effects are in keeping with the rest of the story up until that big reveal. If you loved what Nichols has done before, you will like this one. That it's not the groundbreaking work one would hope for feels like a disappointment, and that's a little unfair. If you hadn't seen the previous work of the director with his number one actor, you'd think this film is more than fine.
Forgotten Gem: Starman (****1/2) is better than Dutch Apple Pie
John Carpenter's Starman - 1984 Director John Carpenter Screenplay by Bruce A. Evans & Raynold Gideon Starring Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaeckel, Robert Phalen, Dirk Blocker, M.C. Gainey In my mind's eye, Starman is a big hit that was seen by everyone in the 1980's. When Jeff Bridges was nominated for an Oscar as … Continue reading Forgotten Gem: Starman (****1/2) is better than Dutch Apple Pie
Nightcrawler (*****) is the best kind of throwback
Nightcrawler - 2014 Written & Directed by Dan Gilroy Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed, Bill Paxton, Ann Cusack, Kevin Rahm, Eric Lange This is the kind of film that keeps me watching movies. The acting, the cinematography, the script and the promise of making an unforgettable experience with a small amount of overhead. … Continue reading Nightcrawler (*****) is the best kind of throwback
I Don’t Have A Vote: 86th Oscars…feel the excitement
The 86th Annual Oscars - Try to stay awake My excitement for the Oscars has never been more quaint. I enjoy the spectacle, but more often than not find myself astounded at who is nominated (Gravity? Really? For anything more than technical?) and who is not (The Great Gatsby? Really? For only technical?). This year … Continue reading I Don’t Have A Vote: 86th Oscars…feel the excitement
Mud: The dream of love lives on
Mud - 2012 Written and Directed by Jeff Nichols Starring Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, Reese Witherspoon, Sam Shephard, Jacob Lofland, Sarah Paulson, Ray McKinnon, Michael Shannon, Joe Don Baker, Stuart Greer, Michael Abbott, Jr., Bonnie Sturdivant I was never more fiercely dedicated to the pursuit of love than when I was in the Grade School. My nerves … Continue reading Mud: The dream of love lives on
Forgotten Gem: Shotgun Stories is a beautiful debut from the makers of Take Shelter
Shotgun Stories - 2008 Written and Directed by Jeff Nichols Starring Michael Shannon, Barlow Jacobs, Glenda Pannell, Douglas Ligon, Lynnsee Provence, Travis Smith, Natalie Canerday, G. Alan Wilkins, Michael Abbott Jr. Son (Shannon), Boy (Ligon) and Kid (Jacobs) Hayes are 3 grown men that had been raised by a single mother. Their father (Cleaman), who left them when the men … Continue reading Forgotten Gem: Shotgun Stories is a beautiful debut from the makers of Take Shelter
Take Shelter is what Black Swan could have been
Take Shelter - 2011 Written & Directed by Jeff Nichols Starring Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain, Shea Whigham, Katy Mixon, Kathy Baker, Tova Stewart There is not a moment in the film, Take Shelter when we see Curtis LaForche (Michael Shannon) unaffected. Given this slippery slope of a premise, we end up with a pretty clear vision of … Continue reading Take Shelter is what Black Swan could have been