Film

New Zealand is often described as Hollywood’s open-air studio. From the rolling hills of Hobbiton to the dramatic fjords of Milford Sound, the country’s theatrical landscapes have anchored some of the world’s most iconic film productions. Yet despite its cinematic prominence, New Zealand remains less top-of-mind than more established filming centers. Exactly the paradox that makes it…

A QUARTET WORTH TUNING INTO Les Musiciens (The Musicians) is a comedy that is not afraid to be intelligent. It’s a welcome cinematic entry for discerning moviegoers who care about more than superheroes and vampires. The engaging and well-paced plot is about the creation of an impossible concert by a quartet of musicians who’ve never…

There is a unique intensity that true crime documentaries create — an almost magnetic pull that keeps you watching longer than planned. The moment a crime is introduced, your mind starts racing with questions. Who did it? Why? Will justice be served? Each detail builds the suspense, and before you know it, you’re emotionally invested…

ANDERSON’S REPUBLIC OF OBJECTS Something has shifted in Wes Anderson’s dollhouse universe. The Phoenician Scheme arrives with all the expected geometric precision, but underneath the familiar symmetries lurks an unfamiliar bite. Arms dealer Anatole “Zsa-Zsa” Korda (Benicio del Toro) has survived six assassination attempts by the time we meet him in 1950. He’s a jaded…

Classic films have an enduring charm that continues to captivate both nostalgic viewers and new generations of movie lovers. Often made decades ago, they still evoke strong emotions and remain deeply relevant in today’s world. But what is it that makes these timeless stories so captivating? The answer lies in their universal appeal, cultural significance,…

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CARL BEAN Directors Daniel Junge and Sam Pollard have given the world a much needed uplift in the guise of their fascinating new documentary on the life of Archbishop Carl Bean named, I Was Born This Way. But why is the title reminiscent of Lady Gaga’s mega-hit, “Born This Way?” Because…

COSTUMES, CONFIDENCES AND THE CANOVA SISTERS SPARKLE LIKE DIAMONDS Director Ferzan Özpetek’s latest dramedy, Diamonds, is about to open at the Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center, and I had the pleasure of getting an early view. I knew it centered on a costume atelier reminiscent of the legendary Umberto Tirelli’s, and I immediately thought…

A HOUSE DIVIDED E.1027: Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea is what I would call—in a good way—an eccentric film. It’s a curiously interpretive pastiche of multiple elements: docu-fiction, bio-pic, archival footage, imagined scenes with actor recreations, narrative voiceovers, stylized scenes dramatically lit on a stage, readings from diaries and letters, along with…

WHEN THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS GOT A WAKE-UP CALL Drop Dead City is that rare beast: a documentary that turns a major city’s fiscal crisis into an edge-of-your-seat thriller. There’s a strong parallel to what’s happening in our economic and political times today, nationally and locally. It could’ve just been a wonky educational film but…

Over the past decade, the British film industry has not shied away from exploring the complexities of sexuality, desire, and the human psyche through cinema. Erotic films from the UK have carved out a distinctive niche, often blending sensuality with psychological depth, emotional nuance, and cultural commentary. Below is a rundown of five standout erotic…

There’s something magnetic about watching a great athlete come to life on screen. Maybe it’s the roar of the crowd recreated with surround sound. Maybe it’s seeing the weight of pressure behind the highlight reels. Or maybe it’s just that sports, with all their heartbreak and triumph, make perfect drama. It’s no wonder so many…

You know the type. Slouched on a couch, hoodie half-zipped, snack crumbs everywhere—and somehow, still the most grounded person in the room. The stoner character has been a pop culture fixture for decades, drifting through comedies and cult classics with a glazed smile and oddly profound one-liners. But lately, that image has evolved into something…

TIME AND TIME AGAIN, THIS FILM IS WILD, WITTY, AND WICKEDLY FUNNY Here’s a British delight that serves up a deliciously daffy mix of cunning comedy and science fiction—let’s call it “Sly-Fi,” a perfectly fitting term for this kooky genre blend. The triumphant mockumentary, Time Travel Is Dangerous, dares to be loopy and over the…