Marius de Vries and Nick Baxter spoke with Solzy at the Movies about their process for the Sundance-winning CODA, streaming on Apple TV+. How did you first become attached to CODA? Nick Baxter: The CODA script had been circulating for a while. I’m trying to remember when I first read it—it was a while back and they were trying to figure out a way to make it work. We couldn’t quite do it—there was budgetary…
"Marius de Vries and Nick Baxter talk CODA"
The Sheik, celebrating its 100th anniversary later this month, becomes the first silent film to join the Paramount Presents line. This film became a box office sensation upon its release in 1921. Domestically, the film would gross some $1.5 million against a production budget of under $200,000. In some international markets, the film also played between six months to a year! Moreover, the film also made Rudolph Valentino, dubbed The Latin Lover, a sex symbol…
"The Sheik: Silent Classic Joins Paramount Presents"
Rob Paulsen and Maurice LaMarche, who star as Yakko Warner/Pinky and the Brain, respectively, spoke about the new Animaniacs season, The new season, which premieres November 5 on Hulu, is a lot of fun if the five press screeners were any indication. I have to say that as a student of comedy, I loved the scratched Pinky and the Brain pilot episodes. They are so fun to watch. If you’re a fan of the classics,…
"Rob Paulsen, Maurice LaMarche on Animaniacs"
Paper Spiders adds to the conversation about mental health but this is a film that should not be ignored during awards season. This is a very personal film for co-writer Natalie Shampanier. She draws upon her own experiences in telling this story. Her mother was a victim of persecutory delusional disorder. Unlike Melanie (Stefania LaVie Owen) in the film, Natalie is a therapist but no therapy could help her late mother’s situation. It’s these personal…
"Paper Spiders: Do Not Sleep on This Film!"
William Friedkin discussed his future in a recent interview as The French Connection recently marked its 50th anniversary. Friedkin’s comments about his future came while discussing the Oscar-winning film with NBC News. The NBC interview alone is worth it for his comments on shooting the film. He would not make some of the same decisions today. Of course, Friedkin also touches on his filmmaking future as well as the future of cinema. It’s possible that…
"William Friedkin Likely Done Directing Films"
Last Night in Soho might have a 60s soundtrack but it is a horrifying psychological thriller starring Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy. The film is classified in the synopsis as a psychological thriller. Let’s get it out of the way right now: Last Night in Soho is more than a psychological thriller. There are aspects of horror in this film. Put it this way: there’s enough horror in the film where I had to close…
"Last Night in Soho: A Horrifying Thriller"
Writer-director Joanna Hogg follows up on her critically acclaimed 2019 coming-of-age drama, The Souvenir, with The Souvenir Part II. Julie Harte’s (Honor Swinton Byrne) story continues where it left off in 2019 with Julie seeking to know more about Anthony’s last days. In many ways, the sequel improves on its predecessor. Julie no longer sees the world as she did during the earlier film. She’s changing for better or worse. Like many artists in real…
"The Souvenir Part II Continues Where It Left Off"
Stripes, which marked its 40th anniversary in June, recently got an upgrade in the recent Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Vol 2. John Winger (Bill Murray) turns to enlisting in the army after losing his job, girlfriend, and apartment in the single span of one day. He’s a slacker so it’s no surprise to see Anita leave him. Best friend Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis), who teaches English as a second language, joins him in…
"Stripes Celebrated 40 Years In June"
James L. Freedman spoke with Solzy at the Movies this week ahead of Wednesday night’s TCM broadcast of Carl Laemmle: The Film. Laemmle was a German-Jewish immigrant that went on to found Universal Pictures. This came as a result of Laemmle’s Independent Moving Pictures (IMP) merging with other companies to form the Universal Film Manufacturing Company in 1912. Originally founded in Fort Lee, N.J., Laemmle would open the largest motion picture production facility, Universal City…
"James L. Freedman talks Carl Laemmle Film"
Eternals is an epic sci-fi adventure and different from other Marvel Studios films as Chloé Zhao puts her own mark on the MCU. If you do not read any further, there are mid-credits and post-credit scenes. When it comes to the mid- and post-credit scenes, I have questions. I will not get into those questions right now in case you still need to see the film. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 previously introduced Marvel…
"Eternals Is An Epic Unlike Any Marvel Film"