For a short while, Majid Majidi was my favorite Iranian filmmaker. But then again, for a while, he was the only Iranian filmmaker that I could name. I’m still a beginner when it comes to international cinema, but while I’ve found other Iranian artists whose work is more exciting for me, I’m still eager to check out anything this director does. I suspect that if any Iranian filmmaker is likely to win a big following in America, it’s Majidi. And his... Read more
I have a favorite t-shirt. It’s from the Flickerings film festival. It’s bright red, and on the back it says “So many subtitles, so little time.” I have friends who groan when they learn a movie is subtitled, and some of them lose interest entirely when they learn a film is in a foreign language. Me, if I charted my rate of enjoyment, I’d probably find that I enjoy films from outside of America far more often than enjoy films... Read more
Roger Ebert bothered many film critics and moviegoers when he turned in a four-star review of Alex Proyas’s new film Knowing. Today, he’s defending his rave review. Meanwhile, Christianity Today’s review was posted last week — more high praise. But that review inspired backlash too. Here are a few of my favorite lines from the comments of CT Movies readers: “Although there are some shorts which may show a little cleavage, it’s never done sexually…” Shorts which show cleavage? I’ve... Read more
I’m happy to see Pixar’s new film opening on the kind of platform that the studio deserves. Up is opening the Cannes Film Festival with a presentation in Disney Digital 3-D on Wednesday May 13th, 2009. That marks the first time an animated film has opened the festival. Wish I could be there. Writer/director Pete Docter was interviewed in Radix (thanks to the CT blog for the link) back when Monsters Inc. was released. Here’s an interesting excerpt: Radix: How would... Read more
Yes, it’s true: In November, Universal Pictures won a bidding war to develop a big screen movie adaptation of Dante’s Inferno, the yet-to-be-released video game from Electronic Arts. Variety reports that Dan Harris, screenwriter of Superman Returns and X2: X-Men United, has been hired to pen the adaptation. The property is a modern interpretation of the famous poem written by Dante Alighieri in the early 1300’s. The narrative poem describes Dante’s imaginary journey through the nine circles of hell where... Read more
You may remember my brief note about the direct-to-DVD adaptation of The Velveteen Rabbit, posted a while back. Now, my friend and colleague Greg Wright has seen the film, and turns in a very positive review. Wright writes that the movie (more…) Read more
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Few places I know are as nourishing to the spirit and the imagination as Laity Lodge. It’s hard to believe the place exists. Located just outside of Kerville, Texas, it’s a handsome lodge with its own library of inspiring spiritual literature, set over a winding river of deep blue water, opposite a canyon that is alive with colors and creatures. You’d never notice it from the highway… and you literally have to drive into the river to get there. Once... Read more
UPDATE: Here’s Steve Lillywhite talking about No Line on the Horizon at NPR. If you’re a U2 fan, you’re in for a treat. Fan club members will receive a two-disc set of rarities called U2:Medium, Rare and Remastered. Here’s the track listing: (more…) Read more
This two-part review of The Class and To Be and To Have was originally published at Christianity Today. – “Carpe Diem.” Remember that? That’s what Professor Keating (Robin Williams) told his class of troubled youngsters in Dead Poets Society. “Seize the days, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” In The Class, “Seize the day” might be the worst thing the teacher could say to his students. This multi-ethnic group of troublemakers, cynics, and egoists have already seized the classroom, and if he’s not... Read more
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