Foreign Film Fridays: “Leviathan” (Russia, 2014)

Welcome back to Foreign Film Fridays, where I look back at some of the best non-English language films to grace cinema in the recent past! (And yes, I know it isn’t Friday, but I have another review scheduled for this Friday, so too bad!) In my ongoing quest to see all the worthwhile films of the 2010’s for my end-of-decade film rankings, today I ventured into Russian cinema with Leviathan, a drama from filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev following a down-on-his-luck car mechanic who becomes a target of ire for the local government. Its fascinating Biblical parallels and gripping narrative have enraptured critics around the globe. How did I interpret the film?

“Ad Astra” Film Review: A Flawed Masterpiece

Ad Astra (2019) is a sci-fi space flick from James Gray, starring Brad Pitt as an astronaut tasked with travelling to the edge of the solar system to find his father. The Heart of Darkness-inspired tale is more brooding and introspective than action-adventure, though the film still has its share of action-adventure. It became a surprise favorite at Venice Film Festival last month and got critics buzzing even more about Brad Pitt’s Oscar prospects this winter. Is this truly one of his finest works to date?

My (Post-Festival) 2020 Oscar Predictions

It’s still early in awards season (if you can even call it that at this point), but by now most or all of the major awards players have premiered on the festival circuit. I’ve already given my thoughts on the results of the major film festivals (Sundance, Cannes, Venice, and TIFF), but before I see most of the films for myself, I want to give my updated early predictions. Here are my best guesses for how the major categories will look at the 92nd Academy Awards next February!

2019 Toronto International Film Festival Wrap-Up

The 44th annual TIFF officially drew to a close on Sunday, bringing with it a slightly-clearer picture of the upcoming Oscar awards race. Which films fared best? What will the major contenders be moving forward heading towards the 2020 Academy Awards?

2019 Venice Film Festival Review Round-Up

The 76th annual Venice Film Festival just closed its doors on another spectacular year of films, and critics have been sharing their first thoughts on the major awards contenders that premiered there. What films will have legs heading into Oscar season this year?

“Luce” Film Review & Analysis: Perception vs. Reality

Luce (2019) is a drama directed by Julius Onah and co-written by Onah and JC Lee, who also wrote the play this film is based upon. It stars Kelvin Harrison, Jr. as the titular Luce, a black high school senior and model student who is embroiled in controversy after a questionable writing assignment draws the attention of his concerned history teacher (Octavia Spencer). His adopted parents (Naomi Watts and Tim Roth) are taken on a wild ride of doubt and mistrust as their perception of who their son really is challenged. It’s an endlessly-fascinating and complex tale that has enthralled critics but gone woefully unnoticed by the general public. What gives?