They say life imitates art. But in some cases, art imitates life and truer words have never been spoken in the new film Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). This unique motion picture event will not only leave you scratching your head wondering what just happened but will leave an everlasting impression because of its artful and utterly mesmerizing impact. Birdman is already earning praise from critics and seems to be one of the frontrunners come award season. It is a cinematic phenomenon that simply needs to be experienced.
Many things in this world are universal. One of those things is family and the responsibility that goes along with it. The new documentary Waiting For August is a simple film, one which highlights the importance of family togetherness and unconditional love. It takes place in Romania, a land that is fairly unfamiliar to Americans but the film’s ultimate message and style are easy to understand and almost impossible to forget. It is a foreign film with a theme spoken all around the world and in volumes.
Paramahansa Yogananda is one of human history’s great spiritual gurus. He was a man of almost infinite wisdom and had a perception of life few have ever achieved. He was a Hindu Swami who brought methods of yoga, meditation as well as enlightenment to the Western world. His teachings are known the world over and are considered the most precious pieces of knowledge ever to grace mankind. A brilliant new documentary has just been released entitled Awake: The Life of Yogananda and it shines a light on the man and the miracle who has touched so many lives with a spiritual, almost magic touch.
The horror film genre in the United States is somewhat lacking these days. When moviegoers desire quality scares, they usually look oversees. Ireland seems to have done things right with its latest horror picture The Canal, a psychological spook fest that contains many aspects of films before it but does however, offer some freshness and originality. The acting is top notch and the abidance will definitely raise the hairs on your neck. It is a film with more pros than cons and that fact is firmly cemented by an independent feel and solid editing.
Halloween is a time in which fright and the macabre run wild. People love a good scare and haunted houses provide scare-seekers with the most genuine and heart-pounding form of entertainment. Actors (people dressed up as monsters) hide out in dark corners and pop out, causing thrill-seekers to skip a heart beat here and there. The latest found footage horror/drama The Houses October Built is an intriguing entry in the same genre of The Blair Witch Project and the Paranormal Activity saga. It is a hybrid of that which is real and of that which is spooky fiction. It is being released close to Halloween, so horror and haunted house enthusiasts might want to check out this eerie film.
The relationship between man and machine has been the basis for many science fiction stories over the years. Films like The Terminator and Blade Runner are just a few prime examples of how people and robots either coexist or do battle with one another. The latest sci-fi/thriller Automata is an ambitious foray in the futuristic eye candy genre and sadly, the results are rather lackluster. This is especially disappointing because the cast is comprised of usually reliable and gifted actors. The direction is adequate at best but the premise here feels all too familiar.
Throughout history, there have been those who have instilled change and promote progress. Individuals such as these are often seen as heroes and their efforts to better things don’t go unnoticed. Simon Bolivar is one such individual and his political and military endeavors are the stuff of legends. The latest film The Liberator is an epic biodrama that highlights Bolivar’s life and his valiant efforts which made a significant historical impact on Latin America. It is a big budget biography with high ambitions and an even higher production cost.
Little people are often overlooked in films. Sadly, those who are smaller are looked upon as inferior and unimportant. That is a highly ignorant point of view but that ignorance is combated in the latest quirky dramedy The Little Tin Man. It is a story about a man who is anything but inferior and the film raises awareness of little people and makes them as human as the next person. The film is sweet, touching, heartbreaking and downright funny.
The issue of gay rights has always been a controversial one. Homosexuality and same-sex marriage are sadly seen by some as taboo and unacceptable. Thankfully, today the stigma has melted away significantly but in the 1980s, gay people were seen in a less favorable light. The new British dramedy Prime tackles the issue of gay rights in a way that isn’t just lighthearted and funny but inspirational and truly meaningful. All of the cinematic elements come together here to form a film that audiences gay and straight will find charming and downright great.
When attempting to achieve artistic greatness, filmmakers (or auteurs) as they are often described as or want to be described as, there are varying opinions when these directors try to pass off their work as “brilliant”. Art is a highly subjective thing and when a film like Days and Nights is made and features strong themes, decent acting and a script full of pretentiousness, questions may arise and confusion runs rampant. That confusion stems from the fact that all of the actors including writer/director/actor Christian Camargo (Dexter, The Hurt Locker) believe that this film is high art. It sadly is not and it tries so hard to be.
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