Into the Abyss

Sunday, April 22nd, 2012—Film

Into the Abyss (USA/UK/Germany 2011, Documentary/Crime), Writer/Director: Werner Herzog Another beautiful, brilliant work from legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog, the genius behind the documentary Grizzly Man (see May 18, 2009 post) and the war drama Rescue Dawn (see November 1, 2008 post). Into the Abyss is, as its subtitle spells out, “A Tale of Death, A [...]

Read more ›

Outland (feat. Kickass Canadian Rob Cohen)

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012—Film

Outland (UK 1981, Crime/Action/Thriller), Writer/Director: Peter Hyams I’ve been asking my good pal Rob Cohen (Kickass Canadian, filmmaker, comedian, part-time weirdo) to co-write a blog post practically as long as I’ve known him. So for more than four years now. This year, the process finally got going when he asked whether I wanted something new [...]

Read more ›

The Hunger Games (feat. Jonathan Walberg)

Sunday, April 1st, 2012—Film

The Hunger Games (USA 2012, Action/Drama/Sci-Fi/Thriller), Writers: Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins, Billy Ray; Director: Gary Ross Uh-oh, my first post since January… I’ve been neglecting this blog a bit. I’m back at it with The Hunger Games courtesy of my brilliant eldest nephew Jon. Only nine years old, he gobbled up the Suzanne Collins trilogy [...]

Read more ›

Shame (and a bit of Hunger)

Saturday, January 28th, 2012—Film

Shame (UK 2011, Drama), Writers: Abi Morgan, Steve McQueen; Director: Steve McQueen Hunger (UK/Ireland 2008, Biography/Drama/History), Writers: Enda Walsh, Steve McQueen; Director: Steve McQueen Watch either of Steve McQueen’s first two feature films, Hunger and Shame, and it’s abundantly clear that this man is a more than just a filmmaker—he’s an artist. I saw Shame [...]

Read more ›

Take Shelter

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011—Film

Take Shelter (USA 2011, Drama), Writer/Director: Jeff Nichols In my teaser about Melancholia and Take Shelter (see November 11, 2011 post), I mentioned being curious about the two films because of their exploration of impending apocalypse and mental illness, and the question of perception vs. reality. In the end, I only made it to Take [...]

Read more ›