A man. A woman. An underground train. Traded looks. Traded fantasies. No one looking. No one aware. The train stops. The lick of her lips. The ring on her finger. Will they? Won’t they? The crowd in the station. The man is Brandon. We soon meet the rest of him. His job. His coldness. His naked body wrapped in blue sheets. His overpowering sexual impulse. Alleys. Back doors, Luxury hotels. ... more >
ARCHIVES
Steve McQueen’s “Shame”
Another critic hails McQueen's sophomoric effort
Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan and James Badge Dale
Directed by Steve McQueen
Shame
My life as a sex addict
Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan and James Badge Dale
Directed by Steve McQueen
Steve McQueen's second feature reprises his collaboration with Hunger star Michael Fassbender and the effect is no less spellbinding. This time, instead of starving for a cause, Fassbender plays a man at the mercy of his urges rather than in control of them: a sex addict. In the frenetic world of New York City it's easy for Fassbender's Brandon to keep his private life a secret. When a vat of ... more >
VENICE MOSTRA – “A dangerous method”
Reporting from the 68th Mostra
Costume dramas and fairy tales set the tone for the opening days of the 68th Venice Film Festival. David Cronenberg’s hotly awaited “A Dangerous Method,” details the collaboration and rivalry between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud and set on the eve of World War One. “A Dangerous Method” arrived on day three of the festival and has been one of the stronger entries in the 22-film-strong ... more >
Fish Tank
Latest effort makes Brit helmer shine
Katie Jarvis, Michael Fassbender and Kierston Wareing
Directed by Andrea Arnold
Andrea Arnold’s “Fish Tank” was a big hit in Britain and at Cannes and now tries its hand at America, who will probably nickname it “White Precious.” Anchored by a star-making performance from Kate Jarvis, Arnold’s film is more grit and zero melodrama, a step-up from the weepy style of “Precious.” Jarvis plays Mia, a teenager living in the ghetto where kids expect to follow in ... more >
Hunger
Celluloid shock treatment
Michael Fassbender and Stuart Graham
Directed by Steve McQueen
"Hunger" recounts the real events of the blanket strikes in Belfast. In 1981 during the conflict in Ireland a deadly battle was being waged inside the walls of Belfast’s infamous Maze prison. Republican inmates refused to bathe and wear uniforms in protest of Britain's rejection of their plea to be recognized as political prisoners. When their strike fails, Bobby Sands (Michael Fassbender) went ... more >
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