A.I. has its share of iconic images: the moon rising over the trees, a submerged New York, the tunnels leading to Rouge City, David’s eyes opening at the end but to make it a complete experience the film has to be one of sonorous grace as well. The approach to the sound design of this… [Read more…]
March 31, 2011
Here is the first of a series of articles in which I hope to chronicle, once and for all, the winners of my own personal film awards, the BAM Awards. I may not be able to ever post everyone I ever nominated as my record keeping has been faulty and fragmentary but I hope I… [Read more…]
March 30, 2011
Janusz Kaminski has worked on every Spielberg-directed film since Schindler’s List and has been behind some of his more visually stimulating films. The photography and lighting of A.I. do so much to lend atmosphere and emotion that his responsibility was one of the biggest on the set and he excelled in assisting Spielberg create a… [Read more…]
March 29, 2011
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I have already spoken a lot about delivering lines and the inflection in an actor’s voice. This was a crucial element to the performances in this film and it was especially important when there were many characters who were animated or animatronic who had actors hired to characterize them. These performances were every bit as… [Read more…]
March 29, 2011
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Sam Robards is the son of Jason Robards and Lauren Bacall and just maybe this is his first big role towards a long career like they had. In this film he plays Henry Swinton the husband and also employee of Cybertronics who gets to bring David home to test him out. We first see him… [Read more…]
March 29, 2011
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives is a film that first really came to my attention as a film that was picked as Cahiers du Cinema, the famous French film magazine which once was home to most of (if not all) the founding members of the French New Wave, as the best film… [Read more…]
March 28, 2011
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is a better film than its predecessor. This was something I rather anticipated, however, I don’t believe its to the detriment of this installment that it is second. There is not too much shorthand used and the narrative is accessible enough that that much enjoyment will not be… [Read more…]
March 28, 2011
If one simply looks at the synopsis for Winter in Wartime then one might not be tremendously struck by the concept but upon seeing the film the one thought that kept occurring to me was “How did this film get passed up when it was submitted for the Oscars?” It just goes to show you… [Read more…]
March 25, 2011
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Frances O’Connor plays a pivotal and important role. Her performance has to be one of impact. Her screen time must be amplified. While she is on screen mostly during the beginning portion of the film her resonance must be felt. It’s a lot to ask of an actress something that the likes of Bette Davis… [Read more…]
March 23, 2011
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Jude Law has come a long way since his Oscar-nominated turn in The Talented Mr. Ripley and his subtle turn in the disappointing Gattaca. He was also very surprising in this role. The role of Gigolo Joe is one that is not easier but the journey isn’t as long and harrowing but it was equally… [Read more…]
March 31, 2011
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