Month: January 2021
Land: Beautiful emptiness out there
by Matt Ward
Grief and tragedy have long been an overarching theme of independent dramas, especially those that find their way across major film festivals in search of studio buyers. But they’re also a fantastic way for first-time directors to plant their flag in the sand as an emerging filmmaker or actors to announce their arrival as a behind-the-scenes star. Golden Globe-winning actress Robin Wright – who … Read More Land: Beautiful emptiness out there
Locked Down: Falling apart, forced together
by Matt Ward
The world-changing impact of the coronavirus pandemic has infiltrated every part of life from business closures to global politics to personal interactions. Cinema has been forced to retreat online in order to find its sheltering audiences and with it, the eventuality of films directly confronting our shared new way of life has finally materialized. Director Doug Liman – based on a script from Steven … Read More Locked Down: Falling apart, forced together
Promising Young Woman: The sweetest revenge
by Matt Ward
Once a year, a film comes along that cuts so deeply against the grain that its ingenuity and craftsmanship push movies forward for years to come. Amidst the backdrop of pandemic-led movie shortages, the stark contrast between the relatively mundane films of 2020 and writer/director Emerald Fennell’s debut feature, an instant hit when it debuted at last year’s Sundance Film Festival on its way … Read More Promising Young Woman: The sweetest revenge
One Night In Miami: Four men, one room, millions changed
by Matt Ward
This review is based on an advance screening of “One Night in Miami” through this critic’s membership as a voter for the annual Film Independent Spirit Awards. Four men gather in a hotel room to celebrate the accomplishments of one of their own. Their party turns into a deep, philosophical conversation that crystallizes a moment in time in American history and challenges each to … Read More One Night In Miami: Four men, one room, millions changed
Soul: Once more, with feeling
by Matt Ward
Everyone assumes animated films made by Disney – or their Pixar Studios brand – are intended for younger audiences. The colors are bright, the plotlines are largely wonderous in scale, the content is cheerful and easy to follow from start to finish. Soul, the third Pixar feature from Oscar-winning director Pete Docter, isn’t for kids by any stretch of the imagination although it’s not … Read More Soul: Once more, with feeling
Cinematic Considerations 