Month: January 2019
If Beale Street Could Talk: Poetry in motion
by Matt Ward
Intertitles, text at the opening of the film, explain how for celebrated author James Baldwin, “every black person born in America was born on Beale Street, born in the black neighborhood of some American city.” “Beale Street,” he said, “is our legacy.” Within the first five minutes of director Barry Jenkins’ latest film, “If Beale Street Could Talk,” adapted from Baldwin’s 1974 novel of … Read More If Beale Street Could Talk: Poetry in motion
On The Basis Of Sex: A remarkable life made average
by Matt Ward
Every year it seems, Hollywood races out historical docudrama meant to be a rallying cry to remind or influence Americans about a current political topic. Last year, Steven Spielberg rushed through a good, not great feature on The Washington Post’s work on the Pentagon Papers as a defense for freedom of the press amid rampant allegations of “fake news.” That film, “The Post,” felt … Read More On The Basis Of Sex: A remarkable life made average
Vice: Second in title, first in command
by Matt Ward
Three years ago, director Adam McKay broke free from his straight comedy roots with “The Big Short,” a darkly humorous, yet revealing examination of the 2008 U.S. financial crisis. With big banks in the crosshairs, the film was largely an apolitical (or at least bipartisan) thrashing of the series of events that led America to the mortgage crisis and great economic downturn. McKay has … Read More Vice: Second in title, first in command
Cinematic Considerations 