The camera of ‘I Am Cuba’ conquers all
If you’re a cinematographer and haven’t seen I Am Cuba, the Soviet/Cuban movie from 1964, watch it now! Although the film itself is mediocre in parts, the camera is fearless and beautiful. It conquers fire, water, smoke, heights and even gravity to get the right shot. (Note: Try to see the version without Russian overdubbing.)
’12 Years a Slave’ belongs in top 10
“Your story: It is amazing. And in no good way,” Bass (Brad Pitt) tells Solomon (Chiwetel Ejiofor). The same could be said for Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave (4 stars), which will surely end up among the top 10 films of the year, worthy of an Oscar nomination for best picture. It’s emotionally powerful […]
Orlando Film Festival update
The Orlando Film Festival started on Wednesday and continues today and Sunday. For general information, see Erin Sullivan’s story in the Orlando Weekly. The festival has expanded greatly this year, taking up one entire side of the Plaza Cinema Cafe in downtown Orlando. I spent all day there yesterday (Friday), and have a few tips […]
Bringing ‘Gravity’ down to earth
I admit it: I wanted to be blown away, like most critics and bloggers. I just wasn’t. Gravity, it seems, just didn’t pull me in as much as I had hoped. It’s still a good film and definitely one of the must-sees of the year. For me, it’s worthy of 3 ¾ stars, making it […]
Barry Anderson: Movie-Makeup Mayhem
Just in time for Halloween, famed movie-makeup guru Barry Anderson is doing a special demonstration of his art at the North Orange Branch of the Orange County Public Library in Apopka, Fla., from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12. Learn tips and tricks from Anderson, whose work was featured in such films as […]
Disappointing ‘Don’
Despite a remarkably self-assured directorial debut by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who also wrote and stars, Don Jon is not a film I can recommend. It’s as crass as the pornography it depicts, and ends up being to sex what Natural Born Killers was to violence, although the latter film survived on style points alone, which Don […]