There’s a decent idea for an action and revenge movie lurking somewhere in the mess that is the new Guy Ritchie movie “Wrath of Man.” For one, Jason Statham is present, so it’s foregone before the opening credits—done to the tune of a bizarro world, baroque James Bond style—have finished. In short: bad guys are going to die hard at Statham’s hands. They probably deserve it. What else do you ... more >
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YES! But no. New Guy Ritchie “Wrath of Man” misses the mark | REVIEW
This is Guy Ritchie's only second film that's mostly set in the U.S.
Jason Statham, Holt McCallany and Rocci Williams
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Our Interview with “The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness” director JOSHUA ZEMAN (series is currently showing on Netflix)
"Those are the best stories because we all get to play the game. My version can be right, your version can be right. That allows us all to win the same game"
David Berkowitz, the so-called Son of Sam, has been imprisoned for decades following a string of brutal shootings in New York in the late seventies. He initially claimed that a dog named Sam commanded him to murder, but years later walked that back, saying he had actually been part of a satanic organization known as “the Children” who conspired with him in the murders. If it sounded outlandish, ... more >
HARLEM FILM FESTIVAL 2021 : IT’S ON!
In-person opening night featured the world premiere of Tarabu Betserai Kirkland’s "100 Years from Mississippi"
Like all of 2021’s film festivals the Harlem International Film Festival will also be a hybrid event. The event kicked off Thursday, with some screenings being held in that section of New York and the rest being online—even as more and more people get vaccinated against covid-19. Unlike other festivals whose film complements can be set almost anywhere—real or fictitious—those playing at Harlem ... more >
“The ones that get made are the ones that drop down into your heart and say ‘yes’” (TALKING WITH KEN BURNS AND LYNN NOVICK OF “HEMINGWAY”)
The three-part, six-hour documentary film "Hemingway" is airing on PBS right now
Ken Burns knows he only has so much time left to make a certain number of movies. It’s getting harder to pick and choose which of the many ideas for his trademark multipart documentaries will get his full attention—but choose he must. “As I get older, I get greedier. Because you realize there are so many subjects that you want to touch, and there’s not gonna be enough time to do them all,” ... more >
INTERVIEW : Ed Helms and Patti Harrison of “Together, Together”
Film was a part of the 2021 Sundance Film Festival
Ed Helms and Patti Harrison have such singular chemistry in the new film “Together Together” that one might assume that they have known each other for years. Not so, they both said when speaking about the film. “I knew of him,” said Harrison over video chat, eliciting perhaps the hint of a smile from her co-star, who is known for his time on “The Daily Show” as well as “The Hangover” films and ... more >
MOVIE REVIEW: “East of the Mountains”
Dealing with life, on your own terms
Mira Sorvino, Tom Skerritt and Annie Gonzalez
Directed by S.J. Chiro
How has Tom Skerritt never been the star of a movie before? It took a while—way too long—but now at 87, Skerritt delivers a performance that belies a soulfulness and reservoir of talent that has only been briefly glimpsed in his numerous supporting roles over the years. “East of the Mountains” opened Thursday as part of the (virtual) Seattle Film Festival, which is the precisely correct venue ... more >
THE BEAT | Some quick takes from the Garden State and Santa Barbara film festivals
"The Knot," "Rebooted" and "Reefa"
Festival season is in full swing, even with fests either going hybrid or one-hundred percent virtual as the pandemic continues. Here are some films I was able to catch at this year’s Garden State Film Festival, Santa Barbara Film Festival, as well as another interesting film that will be available on demand soon—hopefully along with these other ones. “The Knot” (SBIFF) An intriguing work ... more >