Month: February 2018
Phantom Thread: Daniel Day-Lewis heads into retirement with fashion drama
by Matt Ward
Daniel Day-Lewis deserves to go out better than this. Almost by default, Day-Lewis has been earmarked for a sixth Oscar nomination ever since the iconic English actor announced his retirement last year. If in fact “Phantom Thread” truly marks the last on-screen appearance of one of cinema’s most accomplished actors, what audiences will expect to see in theaters is a far cry from what … Read More Phantom Thread: Daniel Day-Lewis heads into retirement with fashion drama
Black Panther: Toeing the line between comic book film, cinematic essay on society
by Matt Ward
When is a movie just a movie, and when does it become something more? These are the questions posed by reviews and think-pieces about the latest comic book film from Marvel Studios, “Black Panther,” a film that stands out for its predominately African American cast from African American director Ryan Coogler. Viewed under the microscope of its place in the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe, … Read More Black Panther: Toeing the line between comic book film, cinematic essay on society
The 15:17 to Paris: Capturing true heroism
by Matt Ward
Ten minutes rarely make a feature as unforgettable as Clint Eastwood’s latest directorial effort, an ode to American servicemen who put their lives on the line for strangers they’ll never truly know. No feat of filmmaking can ever truly express the amount of heroism shown by Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler as well as three other European men on a seemingly random … Read More The 15:17 to Paris: Capturing true heroism
Call Me By Your Name: Love is love is love in Italian drama
by Matt Ward
“Call Me By Your Name”s Italian director Luca Guadagnino delivers one of the year’s most striking, eloquent films, a coming-of-age summer romance with a profound emotional impact. It just happens to be about a 17 year old boy who falls for a somewhat older man in his father’s employ. This shouldn’t be a relevant factor in 2018, but less progressive audiences will balk at … Read More Call Me By Your Name: Love is love is love in Italian drama
Cinematic Considerations 