Among the nearly three dozen films I saw at Cannes, the one that had the strongest emotional hook was, without question, Asif Kapadia’s in-depth biodoc of the late singer Amy Winehouse. Granted, the tender and trenchant Amy has an added resonance for fans and also for the melancholic question (one of many) that lingers […]
In one of the most diverse and compact film series that New York City has to offer, Rendez-Vous with French Cinema makes its annual late-winter trek to the Film Society of Lincoln Center, bringing with it films that have made the rounds in France’s awards season. (The top prize winner at the César Awards, Timbuktu, […]
With 41 French (co-)productions debuting at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, the event has evolved into an important platform for the country’s film industry, offering premieres that outnumber French debuts at Cannes. Just as Toronto kicks off the awards season in North America, it also serves the same purpose for the French films. Many […]
What went into the creation of this list? Mostly strong first impressions, followed by second (or third or fourth opinions) and a second viewing, confirming that there is some “there” there. Because this compilation is made right at the end of the year, it’s a judgment of its time made under at least condition since […]
Directed by Rob Marshall
Produced by John DeLuca, Rob Marshall, Marc Platt, Callum McDougall
Written by James Lapine, based on the musical by Stephen Sondheim and Lapine
Released by Walt Disney Studios
USA. 124 min. Rated PG
With Anna Kendrick, Daniel Huttlestone, James Corden, Emily Blunt, Christine Baranski, Tammy Blanchard, Lucy Punch, Tracey Ullman, Lilla Crawford, Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, […]
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée
Written by Nick Hornby, based on the book by Cheryl Strayed
Produced by Reese Witherspoon, Bruna Papandrea and Bill Pohlad
Released by Fox Searchlight Pictures
USA. 119 min. Not rated
With Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Thomas Sadoski, Michiel Huisman, Gaby Hoffmann, Kevin Rankin, W. Earl Brown, Mo McRae, and Keene McRae
What propels a young woman in […]
Directed by Tommy Lee Jones
Produced by Michael Fitzgerald, Peter Brant, Brian Kennedy, Luc Besson and Hilary Swank
Written by Jones, Kieran Fitzgerald, and Wesley A. Oliver, based on the novel by Glendon Swarthout
Released by Roadside Attractions/Saban Films
France/USA. 122 min. Rated R
With Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Miranda Otto, Grace Gummer, Sonja Richter, Hailee Steinfeld, Meryl Streep, […]
Directed by Bennett Miller
Produced by Megan Ellison, Miller, Jon Kilik and Anthony Bregman
Written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman
Released by Sony Pictures Classics
USA. 134 min. Rated R
With Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Vanessa Redgrave, and Sienna Miller
The American entry in this year’s Cannes Film Festival competition, Foxcatcher, overcame the speculative buzz from its […]
Directed by Roberto Andò
Produced by Angelo Barbagallo
Written by Andò and Angelo Pasqune, based on the novel Il Trono Vuoto by Andò
Released by Distrib Films
Italy. 94 min. Not Rated
With Toni Servillo, Valerio Mastandrea, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Michela Cescon, and Anna Bonaiuto
This shape-shifting political drama-cum-satire begins in a staid, stately fashion and on an ominous note, to […]
