Life is not what it seems for a small-town California barber in the Coen brothers’ 2001 film noir, The Man Who Wasn’t There. Even this is a film noir, the Coens bring their own ideas into the genre. It’s not your typical film noir. The lead character does not intentionally set out to commit any crime. It just kind of happens. But if you read any of James M. Cain’s work, you’ll find characters behaving…
"The Man Who Wasn’t There: A Film Noir"Tag: James Gandolfini
Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini deliver a masterclass in acting in Nicole Holofcener’s 2013 romantic comedy, Enough Said. Watching this film in 2013 marked time getting to experience writer-director Nicole Holofcener’s work on the big or small screen. While I confess that I’ve not seen her first four features, I attended the world premieres of her 2018 and 2023 feature films. I may just go back through her earlier filmography as my schedule allows. Holofcener…
"Enough Said Is Still Charming Ten Years Later"
While Zero Dark Thirty is about the manhunt for terrorist Osama bin Laden, the film has not aged particularly well on its 10th anniversary. In early 2013, I would have said that this film was one of the best films of 2012. But now, I’m not so sure especially with what The Report had to say about it. It is through the lens of having watched The Report in which I watched Zero Dark Thirty…
"Zero Dark Thirty Marks 10th Anniversary"
Oscar-winning filmmaker William Friedkin gathered an all-star cast in his made-for-TV remake of 12 Angry Men, which marks 25 years. Twelve jurors gather in the jury room on one of the hottest days in New York to debate the fate of the accused. The judge informs them that a non-unanimous verdict will result in a mistrial while a guilty verdict means the accused will receive a death sentence. Leave it to Davis/Juror #8 (Jack Lemmon)…
"12 Angry Men Marks 25th Anniversary"