– By James Powers – Spoilers below for both It and It Chapter Two Many accusations can be leveled against Stephen King as a storyteller, but dullness is not one of them. Despite the very R-rated content of much of his work, there’s a certain childlike exuberance to the way he invents bonkers scenarios …
What ‘Taxi Driver’ Has to Say About Finding Purpose in the Wrong Places
– By Sam Hendrian – This article is part of our Classic Film Throwback Series “You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to ME?” These words have been parodied so many times in films over the years that it is easy to forget where they originated from: Martin Scorsese’s 1976 film Taxi Driver. Controversial for its graphically …
For Goodness’ Sake: The Power of Light over Darkness in ‘The Conjuring’ Universe
– By Joe Campbell – Spoilers below for: The Conjuring (2013), The Nun (2018), Annabelle Comes Home (2019). Horror movies have a problem: they’re horrific. Oh I know that comes with the territory, but the problem with the genre isn’t so much what it’s about as how it’s about it. In trying to wring out …
Spiritual Blindness and the Sanctity of Life in Disney’s ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’
– By Sam Hendrian – This article is part of our Classic Film Throwback Series “I ask for nothing/I can get by/But I know so many/Less lucky than I” -Esmeralda, “God Help the Outcasts” This haunting prayer uttered by the gypsy Esmeralda partway through Disney’s animated classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame succinctly captures the beautifully …
Renard’s Mid-Year Report on Cinema in 2019
— by Renard N. Bansale — 2019’s summer film season has begun to wind down as the cinema world prepares for the expected annual onslaught of Oscar contenders that seek to attract awards voters throughout autumn and winter. While they do that, I’d like to take a moment and consider cinema in 2019 so far—the …
The Lies & Subtext of Familial Affection in ‘The Farewell’
(2019—Director: Lulu Wang) — by Renard N. Bansale — Low ★★★★ (out of 5 stars) “Chinese people have saying: ‘When people get cancer, they die.’ It’s not the cancer that kills them. It’s the fear.” — Mother Jian (Diana Lin) to daughter Billi (Awkwafina) Potential spoilers below Truth: Mind conforming to reality, grasping that what …
Disney Declares Creative Bankruptcy With ‘The Lion King’ 2019
(2019—Director: Jon Favreau) — by Renard N. Bansale — High ★★ (out of 5 stars) “While others search for what they can take, a true king searches for what he can give.” — King Mufasa (James Earl Jones) to Prince Simba (JD McCrary) (Also, following their initial mentions, I shall distinguish between the two versions …
Spider-Man Gives MCU’s Phase 3 a Stellar Finale in ‘Far From Home’
(2019—Director: Jon Watts) — by Renard N. Bansale — ★★★★ (out of 5 stars) “You’re not a jerk for wanting a normal life, kid.” — Quentin Beck/Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) to Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland) “Aw, I love Led Zeppelin!” — Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland) to Harold “Happy” Hogan (Jon Favreau) Potential spoilers below Of the …