Posts

In recent years, the plights of migrants have yielded many grim cinematic portraits, from “Mediterranea” to “Fire at Sea.” Given that track record, writer/director Ben Sharrock’s “Limbo” provides a welcome alternative. In this quirky, deadpan portrait of a Syrian refugee trapped in an asylum center in the remote Scottish island chain of the Outer Hebrides, the backdrop often provides the punchline to an ironic joke. Omar (Amir El-Masry), a young Syrian refugee intent on pursuing his musician dreams, gazes out at the vast, empty landscapes with a constant befuddled look that always says: That’s it?...

One person who’s not impressed? Mads Mikkelsen, who stars as Grindelwald in “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” taking over the role that Johnny Depp was forced to vacate. In an interview with GQ UK to promote the film, Mikkelsen says he does not use method acting and does not understand the hype. His response? “It’s bullshit.” “You can take [the preparation] into insanity,” Mikkelsen said. “What if it’s a shit film — what do you think you achieved?...

The cast includes Gregoire Ludig, David Marsais, Adele Exarchopoulos (in a reportedly scene-stealing role as a brain-damaged woman who can only speak at screaming volume), India Hair, Romeo Elvis, Coralie Russier, and Bruno Lochet. Dupieux also wrote the film in addition to directing it. “Mandibles” first premiered at the Venice Film Festival back in September of 2020. This was followed by runs at Sitges Catalonia, Busan, Thessaloniki, and Rotterdam. Here’s more from IndieWire’s review of the film out of Venice:...

The 96-year-old director and producer admitted to Paste that he has a “somewhat bad reaction, to be honest” toward the MCU, in part because he had “an option with Marvel to do one of their films, with Orion” years ago. Now semi-retired while still developing a remake of “Little Shop of Horrors” for Paramount, Corman admitted to having notes for what Marvel could do better. “I do think, actually, that they are extremely well made, and the special effects are just phenomenal....

Starting August 25, with a waitlist posted at 9 a.m. ET, cinephiles can sign up for the beta version of the new model. The waitlist will only be open for five days, with free registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants will be notified on Labor Day if they’re accepted for one of three subscription price tiers, with $10, $20, and $30 options. Each subscription option provides credits to cash in each month to see movies, but unlike MoviePass in its $9....

“Phyllis Schlafly used her strong style in public to create a very strong image for herself and this movement,” Daigeler said. “And she had to be creative in unifying this movement. On her first TV appearance, she was simply dressed with a pale blue sweater, and, I think, she was self-conscious at that moment about how it is to be on television and how much power that is.” “But she was [smart] enough after this appearance to dress up as a public person,” Daigeler said, “and she used a lot of strong-colored [clothing] and it was always tailored to her body....

The Academy Board of Governors has danced on a tightrope for years. In order to be rich and powerful, the Academy is sustained by the hefty license fees and global audience attracted by the ABC global telecast. That’s its sustenance, but the show must also satisfy more than 9,000 members from 17 branches —the very industry insiders and artists whose votes make the Oscars meaningful. This year, after the ratings disaster of the stripped-down pandemic Oscars dominated by Best Picture-winner “Nomadland,” the Academy is on notice to swing the pendulum back to a commercial, audience-pandering show complete with star hosts (Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina Hall), star presenters, and star performers....