Category: Longform Profiles

One On One: Director Daniel Adams Delivers Biting Satire With ‘An L.A. Minute’

Director Daniel Adams‘ satire An L.A. Minute centers on Ted Gould (Gabriel Byrne), a bestselling novelist who, despite living in the lap of luxury, is frustrated by his life’s work and is in need of a spark. A chance encounter with a performance artist named Velocity (Kiersey Clemons) may inject some long forgotten humanity in the now jaded millionaire, but this is Los Angeles, and things can absolutely turn on a dime. During our discussion with Adams, he talked to us about the evolution of his narrative and why, even though it was written over 20 years ago, it’s a very timely (and in my opinion, refreshingly uncompromising) tale.

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Flipping the Script on: The ‘Alien’ Franchise’s Underappreciated Gem, ‘Prometheus’

Welcome to “Flipping the Script,” a monthly column where I will reconsider recent films that have been panned, frowned upon, or simply under appreciated. I believe that movies should speak to us on a deep, personal level, and this column will consist of films that have done that for me despite widespread derision or apathy. Join me on my noble quest for cinematic redemption!

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’13 Reasons Why’ Tackles Tough but Important Topics – and that’s why it’s Must-See TV

13 Reasons Why, Netflix’s hit new show, is an impossible endeavor. Adapted from the #1 New York Times bestselling young adult novel by Jay Asher, 13 Reasons Why revolves around a suicide and prominently features cyberbullying and sexual assault. For many, the subject matter is deemed too weighty; for others, the “teen drama” genre is dismissed as insubstantial. But these seemingly contradictory elements combine in a way that makes the show all the more important. For all of its flaws – and the internet proclaims that there are many – 13 Reasons Why succeeds in bringing certain issues into the open, promoting discussion in order to de-stigmatize. Through a staggeringly talented cast of young actors, the show also offers a more authentic look at the teenage experience (as opposed to, say, anything on the CW) that should be embraced by current teens, former teens, parents of teens, and pretty much everyone else, too.

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Flipping the Script on: Benedict Cumberbatch’s ‘Third Star’

Welcome to “Flipping the Script,” a monthly column where I will reconsider recent films that have been panned, frowned upon, or simply under appreciated. I believe that movies should speak to us on a deep, personal level, and this column will consist of films that have done that for me despite widespread derision or apathy. Join me on my noble quest for cinematic redemption! This month we go on the search for the Third Star!

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Flipping the Script on: ‘Pacific Rim’

Welcome to “Flipping the Script,” a monthly column where I will reconsider recent films that have been panned, frowned upon, or simply under appreciated. I believe that movies should speak to us on a deep, personal level, and this column will consist of films that have done that for me despite widespread derision or apathy. Join me on my noble quest for cinematic redemption!
Robots vs. monsters. Enough said, right?

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‘Human: Fall Flat’ Splatters Onto Xbox One & PS4 This Spring

 

I haven’t played the game on Steam, but considering the memorable moniker should be emblazoned on a shirt and the simple plotline is actually intriguing, I’m excited to catch Human: Fall Flat’s Xbox One and PlayStation 4 release this spring. Details on the game after the jump!

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Flipping the Script on: Tarsem’s ‘The Fall’

Welcome to “Flipping the Script,” a monthly column where I will reconsider recent films that have been panned, frowned upon, or simply under appreciated. I believe that movies should speak to us on a deep, personal level, and this column will consist of films that have done that for me despite widespread derision or apathy. Join me on my noble quest for cinematic redemption!

Continue reading “Flipping the Script on: Tarsem’s ‘The Fall’” →

‘The Voice’ Finale: Who Did It Their Way?

We’ve embraced the singers in their auditions, seen them through battle rounds, watched them put their stamps on songs and cringed on cut nights. As we enter the finale for this season of The Voice, there is no clear cut favorite, which makes the stakes all the more with each act’s final performances. So let’s see how they did: Continue reading “‘The Voice’ Finale: Who Did It Their Way?” →

Annette Bening Honored With ‘Career Achievement Award’ From PSIFF

 

Annette Bening (The Grifters, In Dreams) will be honored at the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) with a Career Achievement Award. Hosted by Mary Hart, the Film Awards Gala will be held January 2 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

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‘The Voice Top 8’: Which Four Will Score?

It’s arguably one of the biggest nights of The Voice season. After getting down to a Top 12, the show has slowed the chopping block a bit recently allowing audiences to fully get behind their remaining favorites. But all that goes out the window tonight as the field is cut from eight to four, with the final four getting a chance to battle it out for The Voice crown next week. So who will move on? Let’s revisit Monday’s performances: Continue reading “‘The Voice Top 8’: Which Four Will Score?” →