Author: Claire L. Smith

www.clairelsmith.com
Acting, Best Actresses of The Decade, Female Characters, Women in Film

Best Actress of the Decade, Entry No. 4: Toni Collette

To celebrate the last decade 2010-2019, we are counting down the best actresses and discussing some of their most notable and memorable performances of the decade. With the help of Film Twitter, the ITOL team has selected 30 actresses. Writer Claire L. Smith examines Toni Collette’s career over the last decade and discusses her performances in “Hereditary” and “Knives Out”. Continue reading Best Actress of the Decade, Entry No. 4: Toni Collette

Claire L. SmithLeave a comment
Female Characters, Female Filmmaker, Film Reviews, Reviews, Women in Film

ITOL 2019 Round-up: Booksmart

Staring Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever, Olivia Wilde’s comedic coming-of-age film “Booksmart” follows two overachievers who attempt to cram years of high school fun into one night. Yet, their friendship will be tested when they are confronted with the changes and obstacles that come with graduation and growing up.

One of the main messages of this film revolves around the importance of experience and breaking out of your comfort zone. Best buds, Molly and Amy both seem to have wasted the fun times of high school by relentlessly studying so they decide to turn the night before graduation into the ultimate high school experience. Continue reading ITOL 2019 Round-up: Booksmart

Claire L. Smith2 Comments
Directors, Female Characters, Female Filmmakers, Interviews, Women in Film

Interview: Director Claire McCarthy on Ophelia and The Importance of Female Voices

At ITOL we love getting a chance to speak to filmmakers, and we were especially excited to speak to Claire McCarthy after recently catching her latest film, “Ophelia”. McCarthy is an Australian filmmaker, screenwriter, producer and visual artist. Throughout her career, she has brought audiences such films as “The Waiting City” (2009), “Little Hands” (2011) and “Skins” (2007) with actress Mia Wasikowska. Her feature film “The Waiting City”, which starred Joel Edgerton and Radha Mitchell, was released in North America after premiering at TIFF 2010, and has gone to be sold to over 40 territories world-wide. Continue reading Interview: Director Claire McCarthy on Ophelia and The Importance of Female Voices

Claire L. SmithLeave a comment
Female Filmmaker, Film Reviews, Reviews, Top 50 of the Decade

ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 21: The Edge of Seventeen

Kelly Fremon Craig’s 2016 film, “The Edge of Seventeen” is an insightful and relatable look into the exhausting, confusing journey of growing up. Filled with authenticity, the film follows awkward high school junior Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) as she struggles with the rollercoaster that is high school, an overwhelmed mother and the death of her loving father. As Nadine being sot reach the dreaded edge of seventeen, she is suddenly pushed out of her comfort zone as her only friend, Krista (Haley Lu Richardson), starts dating Nadine’s all-star footballer older brother, Darian (Blake Jenner) and suddenly becomes more popular at school, leaving Nadine in a space of neglect and having to finally discover her sense of self. Continue reading ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 21: The Edge of Seventeen

Claire L. SmithLeave a comment
Female Characters, Female Filmmakers, Film Reviews

Review: Ophelia

Despite being one of Shakespeare’s most notable heroines, Ophelia has unfortunately been lost in the heavily male-driven narrative of “Hamlet”. However, Claire McCarthy’s “Ophelia” will give her, and many other neglected female characters, their long-deserved voice. Starring Daisy Ridley as the titular character and Naomi Watts as Queen Gertrude, this film is equally empowering and inspiring.  Continue reading Review: Ophelia

Claire L. Smith2 Comments
Film Reviews, Retrospect Reviews, Reviews, Top 50 of the Decade, Women in Film

ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 42: The Love Witch

Anna Biller’s 2016 film, “The Love Witch”, is a magical, sensual exploration of female sexuality and empowerment. With stunning cinematography, set design and costume design, this film inspires praise for both it’s undeniable style and thought-provoking messages.

The film follows witch and burlesque dancer, Elaine on her quest to find true love. However, her outlook on men and their capability to love is concerning to her fellow witches, especially since many of Elaine’s intense love potions do not result in a happy ending of any kind. Continue reading ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 42: The Love Witch

Claire L. SmithLeave a comment
31 Days of Horror, Activism, Female Characters, Female Filmmaker, Female Writer, Feminism, Halloween, Uncategorized

31 Days of Horror, Day 8: A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night

One would think that vampires are a trope in horror that has been beaten to death with a clove of garlic. However, Ana Lily Amirpour’s “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” not only breathes live into this overdone trope but also gives the classic monster a feminist twist that is both innovative and empowering. Style-wise, the film filled to the brim with moody, cinematography which contributes greatly to the dark, tense vibe that consumes the narrative in a “Sin-City” (2005) meets “Cat People” (1942) vibe.

Described as the ‘first Iranian Vampire Western’, the film (written and directed by Amirpour) follows a lonely vampire that roams Bad City, a crime-filled ghost town whose residences are unaware that a bloodthirsty beast lives among them. However, the vampire known only as ‘The Girl’ (Sheila Vand) is certainly not the only monster that lurks in the shadows. Continue reading 31 Days of Horror, Day 8: A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night

Claire L. Smith1 Comment
Female Filmmakers, Feminism, Retrospect Reviews, Writers

Jennifer’s Body: Why Karyn Kusama’s Cult Classic Is Still Relevent Today

Upon its release in September 2009, Karyn Kusama’s horror film, “Jennifer’s Body” received poor reviews from critics and returned an average amount at the box office, leaving it to fall into obscurity as another needlessly sexual and camp horror film. However, like films such as “The Craft” (1996), “Jennifer’s Body” gained cult status. Continue reading Jennifer’s Body: Why Karyn Kusama’s Cult Classic Is Still Relevent Today

Claire L. Smith1 Comment