On a Monday evening in a packed house at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, the crowd erupted in applause as critically acclaimed directors Christopher Nolan and Bennett Miller took the stage. “Just to make things clear…how much of that was for him and how much of it was for me?” joked the two-time Academy AwardContinue reading “Tribeca Talks: Christopher Nolan and Bennett Miller”
Author Archives: Wael Khairy
Film Analysis: “Ex Machina” ★★★★★ (5/5)
What would happen if man faced its God? Would man gratefully embrace God for giving it life and all its joys? Or would man monstrously fear God, and attempt to revoke the Almighty’s ability to strip life away from him. If a chess program suddenly became self aware, and thought on a conscious level beyondContinue reading “Film Analysis: “Ex Machina” ★★★★★ (5/5)”
Film Analysis: “The Babadook”
After watching Lars von Trier’s “Dancer in the Dark”, Jennifer Kent wrote the director an email expressing her willingness to learn from him. At one point she pointed out that she would rather stick pins into her eyeballs than go to film school. She must’ve said something right, because he replied with an invitation toContinue reading “Film Analysis: “The Babadook””
Great Scenes: “Gravity”
The first time Kowalski saved Stone’s life was earlier, when he told her to detach. The second time is in another post impact scene that mirrors the first. Only this time, the roles are reversed. He’s the one about to drift into infinite blackness. We see that he’s dragging her with him and the onlyContinue reading “Great Scenes: “Gravity””
Great Scenes: “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTQYyamoydc Andrew Dominik’s “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” is one of the greatest films ever made and it may just be the most breathtaking film of the past two decades. Who could’ve imagined that the simple arrival of a doomed train could look so cinematically beautiful. This is quite possibleContinue reading “Great Scenes: “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford””
Great Scenes: “The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat”
http://youtu.be/1dgLEDdFddk When Auguste and Louis Lumière first screened their short film, “The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat” in 1896, the audience was so alarmed by the sight of a life-sized train coming their way, they screamed in panic and ran to the back of the room. Who needs 3D when all you needContinue reading “Great Scenes: “The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat””
Film Review: “Interstellar” ★★★★ (4.5/5)
When a filmmaker as ambitious as Christopher Nolan decides to make a science fiction film about space exploration, people are bound to compare it to Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A space Odyssey”; and while one can pinpoint where Nolan drew inspiration from the 1968 classic, the comparison is unfair for anything less is bound to disappoint.Continue reading “Film Review: “Interstellar” ★★★★ (4.5/5)”
Film Review: “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” ★★★★★ (5/5)
Before moving to New York, the one thing I was most excited about was catching small films on limited release before they get released nationwide, and in most cases, worldwide. I always wanted to witness a good independent film snowball through word of mouth, and grow legs, so to speak. You know, to see aContinue reading “Film Review: “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” ★★★★★ (5/5)”
Great Scenes: “Goodfellas”
Jimmy Conway smiles at Morrie from afar, knowing the poor bastard juster walked into the wrong bar. But he’s in no hurry. Before whacking him, Jimmy takes a moment to enjoy a few drags off his cigarette. Scorsese’s use of slow motion, combined with De Niro’s über cool performance and Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love” makesContinue reading “Great Scenes: “Goodfellas””
Great Scenes: “Good Will Hunting”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AvxR5vVgY4 Often regarded as the actor’s best performance to date, Williams delivered a scene-stealing performance as Sean Maguire in the modern classic, Good Will Hunting. Williams proved he can pull of a dramatic role just as easily as he could a comedic one in the turn that landed him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.Continue reading “Great Scenes: “Good Will Hunting””
The Cinephile Fix 