– By Ben Escobar – It’s critical to understand before seeing Lean on Pete, that it isn’t your average horse film. Sure, it’s got the jockeys and hill country horse races, but there’s a lot more to it than that. It’s even more critical to understand that if you haven’t seen a film from Andrew Haigh …
‘Isle of Dogs’: An Impressive, Charming Aesthetic Masks an Underwhelming Story
– By Ben Escobar – I love dogs. Who doesn’t? Wes Anderson definitely does, and it shines throughout his latest film, cleverly titled, Isle of Dogs. Known for his signature style that replicates that of a quirky perfectionist telling a story around a campfire, Wes Anderson’s latest film is no exception to that reputation. While I …
5 Influential Directors Every Film Student Should Study
– By Ben Escobar – Before you continue reading the list, it’s critical to note that such a list is nearly impossible to condense down to 5 esteemed artists. The following directors mostly work in independent cinema and are not widely known by the average person. It is in my opinion, that the work and style …
‘Game Night’: A Textbook Thrill Ride that Wins in Every Way
– By Ben Escobar – Seeing the trailer and hearing the concept for Game Night a few weeks before its release, I was expecting a new record-breaking low score for Rotten Tomatoes to have alongside The Emoji Movie. But I cannot express how happily mistaken I was after experiencing the visual gut-punch of just the opening …
‘Boyhood’: A Bittersweet Return to Adolescence
– By Ben Escobar – If someone were to ask me about my favorite memory of my senior year of high school, the first thing that comes to mind is the life-changing night that I watched the masterpiece by Richard Linklater that is known simply as, Boyhood. Having not known much about the film, other than …