Since international travel is currently all but impossible the movies provide a way to visit other parts of the world—as they always have. And it was of tremendous importance to writer/director John Patrick Shanley (“Doubt,” “Moonstruck”) that Ireland, the land of his forefathers, be a main character in his new film “Wild Mountain Thyme,” adapted from his play “Outside Mullingar.” “Instead of ... more >
ARCHIVES
“I didn’t hire Christopher Walken for his accent; I hired him for his soul” (talking with playwright and writer/director John Patrick Shanley about his latest film “Wild Mountain Thyme”)
Shanley is best-known for the 2008 film "Doubt"
SICARIO
"Sicario" means "hit man" in Spanish
Starring Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
Every Cannes Festival (and so, every festival) needs a good shoot-em-up movie. We got ours this year with SICARIO, starring Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, and Josh Brolin in the supporting role. SICARIO's at-times lack of depth and the expeditious nature of certain plot twists make this solid revenge drama imperfect. But an extraordinary lensmanship by Roger Deakins and ominous, ... more >
TRIBECA FESTIVAL | “Your sister’s sister”
A heartfelt and recognizably human story
Jack (Mark Duplass) is shell-shocked and angry from the recent death of his brother. His compassionate best friend Iris (Emily Blunt), whom he secretly pines for, sends him to her father’s secluded log cabin, to regain composure. When he arrives, he’s surprised to find Iris’s sister Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt) already occupying the cabin. She’s in recovery mode, too, a lesbian still hurting from a ... more >
Salmon Fishing In the Yemen
Has one of the best movie lines this year (see end of article)
Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt and Amr Waked
Directed by Lasse Hallström
How long can any film review go before calling Salmon Fishing in Yemen a fish out of water story? Not to mention that the film stars Emily Blunt and her prominent lips. Every time Ewan McGregor’s Scottish fish expert looks at mackerel, he must think of her. The man who took over Obi-Wan Kenobi becomes a new Dr. Jones, taking on an impossible mission of faith in Arabia. At one point, he even ... more >
The adjustment bureau
Why do we need men with hats?
Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and Florence Kastriner
Directed by George Nolfi
Few actresses know the torments of fate quite as much as Emily Blunt. Likely there is no actress more affected by the proverbial “shortage of great roles for young women” than this English not-quite-a-star. Each time someone writes a news story on this perpetual topic, it should include her photo. Five years since people took notice in The Devil Wears Prada, one of the best young actresses ... more >
The Wolfman
A posh reboot not to be missed
Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins and Emily Blunt
Directed by Joe Johnston
“The Wolfman” is a perfect choice for updating. So much of the 1941 flick rested on good production and make-up design and now we have this lush remake from director Joe Johnston and screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker. The plot comes up a little short but for the most part they’ve created an awesome-looking film that also comes in just right in the spooky/gory department. Benicio Del Toro takes ... more >
“The Young Victoria”
"Every Oscar season needs a queen"
Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee
So we’ve started to reach that point with Emily Blunt. Is the talented English actress going to become a true star in her own right, rather than supporting everyone else’s star? Or will she turn dull watching Rebecca Hall steal all her roles for the next decade? The very talented English actress has been One to Watch since catching the critical eye, first in 2005’s "My Summer of Love" and as ... more >