Tag: filmmaking

“Saving Private Ryan” (1998) – The Greatest War Film Ever Made

Director: Steven Spielberg Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Edward Burns ‘Wonderful War Epic’ Few filmmakers in the world are as … More

“Babylon” (2022) – Damien Chazelle’s Dazzling Period Piece About Hollywood

Writer/Director: Damien Chazelle Starring: Diego Calva, Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt                      … More

“The Searchers” (1956) – John Ford’s Celebrated Western Classic

Director: John Ford Starring: John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles ‘Wonderful Western’ “The Searchers” is directed by John Ford. Its … More

“The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” (1966) – Sergio Leone’s Wonderful Spaghetti Western Classic

Director: Sergio Leone Starring: Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef ‘A Wonderful Western’ “It’s not a joke, it’s … More

“Captain Phillips” (2013) – Tom Hanks’ Captivating Hijacking Ships Thriller

Director: Paul Greengrass Writer: Billy Ray Starring: Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi ‘Captivating Hijacking Thriller’ “Captain Phillips” is the most … More

“Irrational Man” (2015) – Woody Allen’s Most Underrated Movie

Writer/Director: Woody Allen Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone and Parker Posey ‘An Overlooked Gem’ Few actors in the world have … More

“Blue Jasmine” (2013) – Woody Allen’s Disappointing Mid-Life Crisis Drama

Writer/Director: Woody Allen Starring: Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin and Sally Hawkins ‘Disappointing Drama’ For a reasonable hour or so, Woody … More

“American Hustle” (2013) – David O. Russell’s Captivating Con-Artist Period Piece

Writer/Director: David O. Russell Co-writer: Eric Warren Singer Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper ‘Powerful Period Piece’ In … More

“The Fabelmans” (2022) – Steven Spielberg’s Spectacular Autobiographical Masterpiece

Writer/Director: Steven Spielberg Starring: Gabriel LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano                     … More

“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) – Steven Spielberg’s Iconic Introduction to Indiana Jones

Director: Steven Spielberg Writer: Lawrence Kasdan Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman ‘Timeless Classic’ “Indiana Jones and the Raiders … More

“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019) – Quentin Tarantino’s Powerful Period Piece About L.A.

Writer/Director: Quentin Tarantino Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie ‘Powerful Period Piece’ Few filmmakers in the world have … More

“Goodfellas” (1990) – Martin Scorsese’s Captivating Crime Classic

Writer/Director: Martin Scorsese Starring Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci ‘Mobster Masterpiece’ Few figures fascinate filmmakers as much as … More

“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) – Steven Spielberg’s Incredible Indiana Jones Introduction

Director: Steven Spielberg Writer: Lawrence Kasdan Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman ‘Timeless Classic’ “Indiana Jones and the Raiders … More

“Barbie” (2023) – Greta Gerwig’s Brilliant Comedy About Barbie

Writer/Director: Greta Gerwig Starring: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera                     … More

“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (2019) – Celine Sciamma’s Powerful Portrait of Lesbian Love

Writer/Director: Céline Sciamma Starring: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel and Valeria Golino ‘Powerful Period Piece’ Lesbian love stories are rarely depicted … More

“The Disciple” (2020) – A Magnificent Arthouse Drama About Indian Classical Music

Writer/Director: Chaitanya Tamhane Starring: Aditya Modak, Arun Dravid and Sumitra Bhave ‘Mesmerizing Music Drama’ Over the past decade or so, … More

“Dhobi Ghat” (2010) – An Incredible Arthouse Drama About India

Writer/Director: Kiran Rao Starring: Aamir Khan, Prateik, and Monica Dogra ‘A Powerful Drama’ A person’s life, for the better or … More

“A Quiet Place” (2018) – A Quietly Powerful Horror Blockbuster

Writer/Director: John Krasinski Co-writers: Bryan Woods and Scott Beck Starring: John Krasinski, Emily Blunt and Millicent Simmonds ‘An Intense Thriller’ … More

“Notorious” (1946) – Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious Suspense Classic

Director: Alfred Hitchcock Starring: Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Louis Calhern ‘Unforgettable Hitchcock Classic’ “Notorious” is directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It … More

“Rebecca” (1940) – Alfred Hitchcock’s Haunting Literary Masterpiece

Director: Alfred Hitchcock Starring: Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders ‘A Remarkable Classic’ “Rebecca” is directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Its … More

“Mank” (2020) – David Fincher’s Powerful Period Piece

Director: David Fincher Writer: Jack Fincher  Starring: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried and Lily Collins ‘Filmmaking at its Finest’ When discussing … More

“Hillbilly Elegy” (2020) – A Mediocre Adaptation of a Beloved Memoir

Director: Ron Howard Writer: Vanessa Taylor (based on book by J.D. Vance) Starring: Amy Adams, Glenn Close and Gabriel Basso … More

“Enola Holmes” (2020) – A Fantastic Feminist Period Piece

Director: Harry Bradbeer  Writer: Jack Thorne (based on book by Nancy Springer) Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill and Sam … More

“The Devil All the Time” (2020) – A Riveting Thriller About Religious Violence

Writer/Director: Antonio Campos  Co-writer: Paulo Campos (based on book by Donald Ray Pollock) Starring: Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Jason … More

“Pain and Glory” (2019) – A Glorious Portrait of a Great Filmmaker

Writer/Director: Pedro Almodóvar Starring: Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz and Asier Etxeandia ‘A Glorious Achievement’ Few filmmakers from Spain have achieved … More

“Taxi Driver” (1976) – Martin Scorsese’s Magnificent Masterpiece About Loneliness

Director: Martin Scorsese Starring: Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel and Jodie Foster ‘A Timeless Classic’ Not many directors in Hollywood … More

“The Mustang” (2019) – A Phenomenal Drama About Prison

Writer/Director: Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre Co-writers: Mona Fastvold and Brock Norman Brock Starring: Matthias Schoenaerts, Jason Mitchell and Bruce Dern ‘A … More

“Life Itself” (2014) – A Life-Affirming Documentary About Roger Ebert

Director: Steve James Based on the best-selling novel by Roger Ebert Starring: Roger Ebert, Chaz Ebert and Gene Siskel ‘A … More

“Boyhood” (2014) – A Magnificent Masterpiece About Growing Up

Writer/Director: Richard Linklater Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette ‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’ About halfway through Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood”, … More

“The Searchers” (1956) – John Ford’s Wonderful Classic Western

Director: John Ford Starring: John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles ‘Wonderful Western’ “The Searchers” is directed by John Ford. Its … More

“The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” (1966) – My Favourite Western of All-Time

Director: Sergio Leone Starring: Clint Eastwood, Elli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef ‘A Wonderful Western’ “It’s not a joke, it’s … More

“Goodfellas” (1990) – Martin Scorsese’s Greatest Movie

Writer/Director: Martin Scorsese Starring Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci ‘Mobster Masterpiece’ Few figures fascinate filmmakers as much as … More

“Mank” (2020) – David Fincher’s Most Underrated Movie

Director: David Fincher Writer: Jack Fincher  Starring: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried and Lily Collins ‘Filmmaking at its Finest’ When discussing … More

“Fight Club” (1999) – David Fincher’s Fantastic Cult Classic

Director: David Fincher Written by Jim Uhls (based off screenplay by Chuck Palahniuk) Starring: Edward Norton, Brad Pitt and Helena … More

“Goodfellas” (1990) – My Favourite Gangster Film of All-Time

Writer/Director: Martin Scorsese Starring Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci ‘Mobster Masterpiece’ Few figures fascinate filmmakers as much as … More

“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” (2022) – A Magnificent Murder Mystery Sequel

Writer/Director: Rian Johnson  Starring: Daniel Craig, Janelle Monae, Edward Norton                      … More

“The Fabelmans” (2022) – Steven Spielberg’s Magnificent Autobiographical Masterpiece

Writer/Director: Steven Spielberg Starring: Gabriel LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano                     … More

“Mank” (2020) – A Captivating Tribute to Citizen Kane

Director: David Fincher Writer: Jack Fincher  Starring: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried and Lily Collins ‘Filmmaking at its Finest’ When discussing … More

“The Devil All the Time” (2020) – A Riveting Religious Crime Thriller

Writer/Director: Antonio Campos  Co-writer: Paulo Campos (based on book by Donald Ray Pollock) Starring: Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Jason … More

“Waves” (2019) – A Fantastic Drama About Family Trauma

Writer/Director: Trey Edward Shults Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., Sterling K. Brown and Taylor Russell ‘A Powerful Family Drama’ Family tragedy … More

“Uncut Gems” (2019) – Adam Sandler’s Best Movie

Writer/Directors: Josh and Benny Safdie Co-writer: Ronald Bronstein Starring: Adam Sandler, Lakeith Stanfield and Kevin Garnett ‘Captivating Crime Thriller’ Few … More

“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (2019) – A Powerful Portrait of Lesbian Romance

Writer/Director: Céline Sciamma Starring: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel and Valeria Golino ‘Powerful Period Piece’ Lesbian love stories are rarely depicted … More

“Pain and Glory” (2019) – A Glorious Portrait of a Great Artist

Writer/Director: Pedro Almodóvar Starring: Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz and Asier Etxeandia ‘A Glorious Achievement’ Few filmmakers from Spain have achieved … More

“Spotlight” (2015) – A Spectacular Masterpiece About a Shocking Scandal

Writer/Director: Tom McCarthy Co-writer: Josh Singer Starring: Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams ‘Filmmaking at its Finest’ It is … More

“Life Itself” (2014) – Life-Affirming Roger Ebert Documentary

Director: Steve James Based on the best-selling novel by Roger Ebert Starring: Roger Ebert, Chaz Ebert and Gene Siskel ‘A … More

“Boyhood” (2014) – A Meaningful Masterpiece About Growing Up

Writer/Director: Richard Linklater Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette ‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’ About halfway through Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood”, … More

“Drive” (2011) – Ryan Gosling at His Best

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn Writer: Hossein Amini (based on book) Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, and Albert Brooks ‘Captivating Crime … More

“Joyland” (2022) – Joyous Pakistan Achievement

Writer/Director: Saim Sadiq Starring: Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, Rasti Farooq                     … More

“The Fabelmans” (2022) – Magnificent Autobiographical Masterpiece

Writer/Director: Steven Spielberg Starring: Gabriel LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano                     … More

Why “The Shawshank Redemption” is My Favorite Film of All-time

Writer/Director: Frank Darabont Starring: Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins, Bob Gunton When it comes to the greatest movies ever made about … More

“Mank” (2020) – Magnificent Period Piece

Director: David Fincher Writer: Jack Fincher  Starring: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried and Lily Collins ‘Filmmaking at its Finest’ When discussing … More

“The Disciple” (2020) – Mesmerizing Indian Music Drama

Writer/Director: Chaitanya Tamhane Starring: Aditya Modak, Arun Dravid and Sumitra Bhave ‘Mesmerizing Music Drama’ Over the past decade or so, … More

“Pain and Glory” (2019) – Glorious Autobiographical Drama

Writer/Director: Pedro Almodóvar Starring: Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz and Asier Etxeandia ‘A Glorious Achievement’ Few filmmakers from Spain have achieved … More

“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019) – Tarantino’s Powerful Period Piece

Writer/Director: Quentin Tarantino Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie ‘Powerful Period Piece’ Few filmmakers in the world have … More

“Honey Boy” (2019) – Amazing Autobiographical Drama

Director: Alma Har’el Writer: Shia LaBeouf Starring: Noah Jupe, Shia LaBeouf and Lucas Hedges ‘A Powerful Memoir’ Few actors in … More

“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” (2015) – Captivating Coming-of-Age Comedy

Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon Writer: Jesse Andrews (based on novel) Starring: Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler and Olivia Cooke ‘A Breath of … More

“Life Itself” (2014) – Extraordinary Roger Ebert Documentary

Director: Steve James Based on the best-selling novel by Roger Ebert Starring: Roger Ebert, Chaz Ebert and Gene Siskel ‘A … More

My Favorite Films of 2013

Let’s face the facts. From technology being advanced to unimaginable heights with Alfonso Cauron’s space-thriller “Gravity” to slavery being portrayed … More

“Gravity” (2013) – Spectacular Space Thriller

Writer/Director: Alfonso Cauron Co-writer: Jonas Cauron Starring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney and Ed Harris ‘A Groundbreaking Achievement’ How often do … More

“World War Z” (2013) – Bland Zombie Blockbuster

Director: Marc Forster Writers: Drew Goddard, Matthew Carnahan and Damon Lindelof Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos and Fana Mokoena ‘Bland … More

“Hitchcock” (2012) – Brilliant Hitchcock Biopic

Director: Sacha Gervasi Writer: John J. McLaughlin (based off book by Stephen Rebello) Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson … More

“The Fall Guy” (2024) – Captivating Stuntman Comedy

Director: David Leitch Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson                      … More

My Favorite Films of Summer 2023

Summer was an exhilarating time to be a movie-goer. During a period when the actor’s strike threw the film industry … More

“Past Lives” (2023) – Mesmerizing Korean Masterpiece

Writer/Director: Celine Song Starring: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro                     … More

“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) – Movie Review

Director: Steven Spielberg Writer: Lawrence Kasdan Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman ‘Timeless Classic’ “Indiana Jones and the Raiders … More

“The Fabelmans” (2022) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Steven Spielberg Starring: Gabriel LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano                     … More

“Babylon” (2022) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Damien Chazelle Starring: Diego Calva, Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt                      … More

“West Side Story” (2021) – Movie Review

Directed by Steven Spielberg Starring Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler and Rita Moreno                 … More

“Tenet” (2020) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Christopher Nolan Starring: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki ‘A Mind-Blowing Marvel’ Not many directors in Hollywood … More

“Rebecca” (2020) – Movie Review

Director: Ben Wheatley Writers: Jane Goldman, Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse Starring: Lily James, Armie Hammer and Kristin Scott Thomas … More

“Mank” (2020) – Movie Review

Director: David Fincher Writer: Jack Fincher  Starring: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried and Lily Collins ‘Filmmaking at its Finest’ When discussing … More

“Da 5 Bloods” (2020) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Spike Lee  Co-writers: Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo and Kevin Willmott Starring: Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors and Clarke Peters … More

“Pain and Glory” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Pedro Almodóvar Starring: Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz and Asier Etxeandia ‘A Glorious Achievement’ Few filmmakers from Spain have achieved … More

“The Mummy” (2017) – Movie Review

Director: Alex Kurtzman Writer: David Koepp, Christopher McQuarrie and Dylan Kussman Starring: Tom Cruise, Russell Crowe and Sofia Boutella ‘Mindless … More

“The Nice Guys” (2016) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Shane Black Starring: Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, Angourie Rice ‘Captivating Comedy’ Few actors in Hollywood have built a career … More

The Best Movies of 2013

Let’s face the facts. From technology being advanced to unimaginable heights with Alfonso Cauron’s space-thriller “Gravity” to slavery being portrayed … More

“World War Z” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: Marc Forster Writers: Drew Goddard, Matthew Carnahan and Damon Lindelof Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos and Fana Mokoena ‘Bland … More

The Best Movies of 2012

Let’s face the facts. 2012 was a great year for films. From emotionally driven dramas to tremendously entertaining comic-book movies, … More

“Hitchcock” (2012) – Movie Review

Director: Sacha Gervasi Writer: John J. McLaughlin (based off book by Stephen Rebello) Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson … More

“Argo” (2012) – Movie Review

Director: Ben Affleck Starring: Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin and John Goodman ‘Captivating CIA Thriller’ “Argo” is directed by Ben Affleck. … More

“A Separation” (2011) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Asghar Farhadi Starring: Payman Maadi, Leila Hatami, and Sareh Bayat ‘Mesmerizing Masterpiece’ Certain decisions are difficult to make. Especially … More

“Marriage Story” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Noah Baumbach Starring: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Laura Dern ‘Mesmerizing Marriage Masterpiece’ It is always hard to move … More