Month: February 2017
Revisiting the Oscars: In defense of La La Land
by Matt Ward
Heading into last night’s Academy Awards ceremony, I was fully prepared to write another glowing column about “La La Land,” raving about the film’s actual merits on a night that felt like Damien Chazelle’s masterpiece was going to be picked apart by fans of other nominated films and later derided as “not a good Best Picture winner” by those who actively dislike the movie. … Read More Revisiting the Oscars: In defense of La La Land
Academy Awards stunner: Surprise winner Moonlight steals Oscars stage
by Matt Ward
“Moonlight” deserved to win Best Picture. “La La Land” deserved to win Best Picture. Watch them both. Enjoy them both.
The Great Wall: International fantasy epic wastes potential
by Matt Ward
China’s largest and most iconic landmark never felt so diminutively small as it does in Yimou Zhang’s English-language debut “The Great Wall.” Known for his bold and colorful style paired with intricate character-driven storytelling, the director of international hits like 2002’s “Hero” and 2004’s “House of Flying Daggers” should have been the perfect choice to bring top-notch Asian cinema to American markets. But for … Read More The Great Wall: International fantasy epic wastes potential
Fifty Shades Darker: Erotic sequel eases up on romance, sexuality
by Matt Ward
“Every fairy tale has a dark side.” – ‘Fifty Shades Darker’ tagline Sexual romance drama franchise “Fifty Shades” returned to theaters this weekend with the arrival of “Fifty Shades Darker,” a film that feels safer and brighter than it probably should. Adapted from the E.L. James’ novel, “Darker” follows up within days after the conclusion of 2015’s “Fifty Shades of Grey” as … Read More Fifty Shades Darker: Erotic sequel eases up on romance, sexuality
How I’d write #DeflateGateTheMovie
by Matt Ward
Everything about tonight’s incredible, dramatic Super Bowl that saw the New England Patriots rally back from 19 points down to win 34-28 in the first overtime championship game in NFL history begs to be turned into cinema. I started tweeting about #DeflateGateTheMovie during the Pats’ ridiculous comeback in the fourth quarter and basically started trying to will this concept into existence because, let’s face … Read More How I’d write #DeflateGateTheMovie
Loving: Implied intimacy
by Matt Ward
Richard and Mildred Loving’s inspirational tale of overcoming the odds to keep their love alive was bound for cinema. The couple living in rural Virginia during the 1950s made waves with their arrests violating then-Virginia law against interracial relationships and later with Loving v. Virginia, the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court decision invalidating laws banning interracial marriage nationwide. In “Loving,” writer/director Jeff Nichols opts to … Read More Loving: Implied intimacy
Cinematic Considerations 