Nicolas Winding Refn's intent for his new film, shown in competition this morning, is difficult to discern. Is "Only God Forgives" a send-off to his previous film “Bronson” with a (sustained) nod at David Lynch and liner notes from Eastern philosophies? It would be distasteful to call a film a styling exercise. Filmmakers get our admiration because they invest more into filmmaking than you or I ... more >
ARCHIVES
ONLY CANNES FORGIVES
It's about to get ugly
Ryan Gosling and Kristin Scott Thomas
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
Drive
Get in. Get out. Get away.
Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan and Oscar Isaac
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
It boils down to this: Drive is a decent film but I find its critical adoration bordering on reactionary. It’s fun to watch a team play in its throwback uniforms one game each year, and yes, Drive’s combination of sun-tinged neo-noir, eye-contact chemistry, gear grinding chases and silent leading man charisma makes chilling entertainment. But ever since its release at Cannes this May, the real ... more >
Bronson
We recommend him
Tom Hardy, Kelly Adams and Luing Andrews
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
Films hailing from across the pond can take a while to wash upon our shores. Bronson, by Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn, was released in Europe in 2008. Ah well, good things to those who wait. It is based on the true story of recidivist bar-room brawler and mama's boy Michael Petersen who came during his thirty-odd years in the pen (the majority of which he spent in solitary confinement) ... more >