The Oscar nominees for 2017 were announced this morning, with little surprise (Meryl Streep was nominated again?) and plenty of snubs (sorry Cameraperson, The Fits, Sing Street, Tower, A Monster Calls, The Witch, and Silence). While I've yet to view all the Best Picture nominees … [Read more...] about The Cinemayward Oscars 2017
Essays
Reviewing the Classics: Make Way For Tomorrow
When Leo McCarey won an Academy Award for directing The Awful Truth, he began his acceptance speech with the following: “I want to thank the Academy for this wonderful award, but you gave it to me for the wrong picture.” That same year also saw the release of one McCarey’s … [Read more...] about Reviewing the Classics: Make Way For Tomorrow
The Year in Liturgical Cinema: Easter
Note: “The Liturgical Year in Cinema” is an ongoing series, a personal exploration of the thematic connections between the Christian calendar and films. We celebrated Easter Sunday on March 27. This installment explores the connection between our personal Christologies and the … [Read more...] about The Year in Liturgical Cinema: Easter
Reviewing the Classics: Casablanca
If you asked me about my top 10 favorite films of all-time, Casablanca would be on the list. It’s romantic, witty, adventurous. It is both ahead of its time and incredibly timely. The doomed romance between Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) and Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) is … [Read more...] about Reviewing the Classics: Casablanca
The Fixer: HAIL, CAESAR! and the Pastoral Vocation
Eddie Mannix is a good man. At least his priest thinks so when Eddie visits him only a day after his previous confession. "You're really not that bad," the priest mutters, a bit exasperated at the film producer's self-deprecation and religious fervor. There are two scenes in this … [Read more...] about The Fixer: HAIL, CAESAR! and the Pastoral Vocation