“Writing is Discovery & Problem Solving” Michael Sarnoski on ‘Pig’ and ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’
“Initially, I never thought film was a career option. I grew up in Wisconsin,” says Michael Sarnoski. “And I didn’t have a lot of artistic, creative people around me or outlets to share in. I think storytelling, doodling, writing, and drawing comics — that was my hobby, my secret.” Over time, Sarnoski met other kindred […]
Why Casablanca Is Considered One Of The Best Films Of All Time
No one expected it at the time. Casablanca sparkled with Hollywood stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid, but was predicted to be yet another Warner Bros. war picture. Based on Murray Burnett and Joan Allison’s unproduced play, Everybody Comes to Rick’s, the rights were acquired by Hal B. Wallis for $20,000— the highest amount […]
“Downhill” Misses the Subtleties of the Original in Remaking “Force Majeure”
If you’ve never seen Force Majeure, the 2014 French/Swedish production, then its 2020 American remake will likely be amusing enough for you. However, if you have seen the original, then you’ll realize Downhill doesn’t quite succeed as a sublime comedy of manners like its predecessor did. Even though stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell are […]
“Birds of Prey” Empowers Its Female Characters with R-rated Mayhem
You can take Katniss Everdeen, Lisbeth Salander, and Charlie’s Angels and invite them all to a Goop candle party because for unencumbered, unadulterated ass-kicking, nothing’s going to beat the ladies of Birds of Prey. The four women and one teen girl who make up the squad in this latest DC Comics big-screen adaptation aren’t taking names […]
Oscar’s 2020 Animated Shorts Forego Cuteness for Consciousness
If you’ve been following the Oscar-nominated animated shorts for the past few years, it will come as no surprise that this year’s crop of candidates includes some cute hand-drawn critters, edgy stop-motion entries from across the pond, and stories with enough pathos to tug at the hearts of old and young Academy members alike. What […]
