Author Archives: Wael Khairy

Film Analysis: “Godzilla”

“The arrogance of man is thinking nature is in their control and not the other way around.” Dr. Ichiro Serizawa   Besides stomping all over the arrogance of man, the king of all monsters also managed to crush box office competition with a towering worldwide gross of over $200 million in less than five days.Continue reading “Film Analysis: “Godzilla””

Film Analysis: Planet of Human, Animal, and Political Rights

“Film is incredibly democratic and accessible, it’s probably the best option if you actually want to change the world, not just re-decorate it.” Banksy Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is one of the finest entries in the Planet of the Apes saga, for unlike the countless sequels of the original, it follows theContinue reading “Film Analysis: Planet of Human, Animal, and Political Rights”

Film Analysis: Martin Scorsese’s Portrayal of New York

There is no such thing as seeing New York through Martin Scorsese’s eyes, for Scorsese merely projects the light detected by the warped eyes of his lonely protagonists. His signature light-reflected visual approach used to showcase New York City is evident in most of his films, but varies in significance and meaning from one pictureContinue reading “Film Analysis: Martin Scorsese’s Portrayal of New York”

Mid-Year List: The 14 Best Films of 2014 (January – June)

This is my first stab at a mid-year list of best films. Usually the great films of any given year come out during awards season, between September and December, but so far it’s been a promising year for movies. Whether or not any of the listed films survive to make it to my end-of-the-year listContinue reading “Mid-Year List: The 14 Best Films of 2014 (January – June)”

Film Analysis: Michael Mann’s Portrayal of Los Angeles

Los Angeles is an overpopulated city, yet it is depicted as a silent milieu of isolation. Mann provides us with a canvas of the great city, only one we’ve never laid eyes on before. A car driving through an empty highway, flickering city lights of a silent night, an empty apartment reflecting an endless ocean,Continue reading “Film Analysis: Michael Mann’s Portrayal of Los Angeles”

Film Analysis: “Grave of the Fireflies”

I’ll go ahead and say it: Grave of the Fireflies, directed by Isao Takahata and animated by Studio Ghibli, is the greatest animated film ever made. It is the most haunting, heart-wrenching and tragic tale ever told on film, and that includes live-action films, as well. If you thought Mufasa’s death or Bambi losing her mumContinue reading “Film Analysis: “Grave of the Fireflies””

Film Review: “47 Ronin” ★ (1/5)

A samurai is a high-ranking member of the military in feudal Japan. A master swordsman practicing the code of Bushido, it is generally deemed unwise to draw a sword against the highly skilled warrior. He serves his master with absolute loyalty and supreme regard. Although, he is a servant, and the word samurai literally translatesContinue reading “Film Review: “47 Ronin” ★ (1/5)”

Film Analysis: “Running Scared”

With the recent passing of Paul Walker, I thought it would be best to honor his memory by visiting his most accomplished film to date. Running Scared is a cinematic beast that flew under the radar and has since earned a small cult following that will probably breed more fans as time goes by. History won’t rememberContinue reading “Film Analysis: “Running Scared””

Film Review: “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” ★★★★ (4.5/5)

At one point, Bilbo Baggins looks at the incarnation of death as it soars into the distance. “What have we done?” he whispers. If this was directed to the audience, I would gladly answer: you’ve done it again. This installation of J.R.R. Tolkien popular Middle-Earth anthology lives up the best in the series, and surpassesContinue reading “Film Review: “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” ★★★★ (4.5/5)”