Exploitation films of the ’60s and ’70s are a fascinating study.  Are they exploitative, as the genre asserts?  Are they liberating?  Both?  A recent indie film, Bitch Slap (2009) attempts to parody (s)exploitation films like Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, Last woman on Earth, etc.  While its actresses might have similar dimensions to their predecessors, the film has none of its predecessors’ soul. (more…) Read more

From cultural, theological, and moral perspectives, the Studio Era of Hollywood is a fascinating study.  On one hand, conservative viewers might praise the absence of overtly offensive images on screen.  On the other hand, more liberal viewers might bemoan the limited worldview (white, heterosexual, and decidedly middle to upper class…mostly) that these films often set forth.  Yet, without question, the regulations against representation and dialogue forced writers and directors to be extremely creative when approaching potentially offensive material.  As such,... Read more

If anything, the mechanical owl in the original Clash of the Titans signaled a level of fun and playfulness.  These filmmakers weren’t taking themselves too seriously.  We can’t say the same thing about the re-make, which releases today, even though the owl makes a cameo appearance. (more…) Read more

As would be expected, Pedro Almodovar‘s latest film, Broken Embraces, is an alluring mix of beautiful filmmaking and captivating storytelling.  The ways in which this film comment on filmmaking itself and themes of family, love, obsession, and secrecy demand repeated viewings. (more…) Read more

In preparation for our trip to Belgium next month, my wife wanted to watch In Bruges, and since I absolutely love the film, I had no problem watching it yet again.  It proved to be yet another rewarding experience as I continued to find new elements that stood out in ways I hadn’t noticed before. (more…) Read more