The Lineup: The Films We’re Eyeing this June (2024)

By Tom Moore and Valerie Kalfrin Ah, June. The start of a fresh-feeling summer. School gets out. Everyone’s got vacation plans or, at least, is thinking about how they capitalize on the nice weather. For us at In Their Own League, we’re thinking about all of that…and the big summer movie season that’s finally arrived. Huge blockbusters like “Inside Out 2” and “Bad Boys: Ride … Continue reading The Lineup: The Films We’re Eyeing this June (2024)

Review: Origin

Year: 2023 Runtime: 135 minutes Written and directed by: Ava DuVernay Actors: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Myles Frost, Emily Yancy, Jon Bernthal, Connie Nielsen, Finn Wittrock, Victoria Pedretti, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Isha Blaaker, Hannah Pniewski, Matthew Zuk, Lennox Simms, Niecy Nash-Betts, Audra McDonald, Dr Suraj Yengde, Gaurav J. Pathania, Nick Offerman By Sarah Manvel Many movies about the creative process either fixate on the visual form the … Continue reading Review: Origin

The Lineup: The Films We’re Eyeing this January (2024)

By Tom Moore and Valerie Kalfrin There’s nothing like the start of a new year, right? A fresh new slate of movies to be excited for and a whole host of possibilities when it comes to who’s going to scoop up wins at upcoming awards shows. 2024 already has some promising films to watch out for on the horizon – including a new bout between … Continue reading The Lineup: The Films We’re Eyeing this January (2024)

The Lineup: The Films We’re Eyeing this December (2023)

By Tom Moore and Valerie Kalfrin While December is a fitting time to reflect on our favorite films and the incredible strides female directors have made throughout the year, there are still some noteworthy upcoming films. From new films from prolific talent – like “Selma” director Ava DuVernay – to a concert documentary that’s got big box office potential, December has a couple big releases … Continue reading The Lineup: The Films We’re Eyeing this December (2023)

Women’s History Month- 10 Inspiring Women Who Deserve Their Own Biopic

For this Women’s History Month, I have decided to focus on creating some top ten lists which discuss films, biopics and documentaries about women in history that will hopefully inspire and inform readers about the accomplishments of women throughout history. For this piece I am focusing on ten women who deserve their own biopics and will be discussing who I think should star in the film, who could possibly direct the film and why their stories deserve to be seen on the big screen. Continue reading Women’s History Month- 10 Inspiring Women Who Deserve Their Own Biopic

Ava DuVernay @TIFF: “We are in the midst of history”

“These are strange and important times,” she said this month at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). “Because truly, you can feel in the very vibration of the day, one day after the next, that we are in the midst of history. That 2020 will be long remembered. That we will be talking about this year and this time and remembering how we felt and what we thought and where we were and who we were engaged with for the rest of our lives. Continue reading Ava DuVernay @TIFF: “We are in the midst of history”

#WOMENINACTION: HALF THE PICTURE – FEMALE DIRECTORS

For August, In Their Own League decided to focus on women in action. I decided to twist it by emphasizing the “action” uniquely, directing. After watching “Half the Picture” (2018) by Amy Adrion, I was inspired to give a deserving spotlight to women who are taking action to increase the representation of women behind the camera; those same women who call “action!” for their films.  Continue reading #WOMENINACTION: HALF THE PICTURE – FEMALE DIRECTORS

Editorial: There Are More Female Directors Than Gerwig and Coppola (And We Need to Learn Their Names)

There was a recent post on Twitter asking for the film community to name a female filmmaker but not name famous directors Sofia Coppola or Greta Gerwig. Sure, people were able to name other directors. However, I was struck by the fact that there are truly so many women working behind the camera, but only a few are widely known by audiences. Continue reading Editorial: There Are More Female Directors Than Gerwig and Coppola (And We Need to Learn Their Names)

Editorial: White People, You Gotta Stop Watching “The Help”

Given that the systematic racism perpetuated against Black people is now in the forefront of the news, white people are trying to understand the insidiousness of racism in white society. It is not just the United States that is racist, though we elected a man who is blatant racist. The racism in the United Kingdom and Australia is also being noticed. But, given that George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others were killed in the U.S., we are currently under a microscope. Continue reading Editorial: White People, You Gotta Stop Watching “The Help”

Exclusive Interview With Director Amy Adrion About “Half the Picture”

“Do you want to watch this with me?”  I am home for the holidays and my mom, a movie-buff, is gearing up to watch the documentary film, “Half the Picture” (2018).  “Half the Picture” looks at female filmmakers, their stories, their films, and more importantly, giving them the space to talk about the hurdles they have had to climb throughout their careers.  The filmmakers each had unique hurdles for their films, but the blatant gender inequality experienced was universal.  Thanks Mom for introducing me to this film.

“Half the Picture” was directed by female filmmaker, Amy Adrion. Adrion’s film perfectly balances the valiant victories and the lowest lows.  It is an intimate look at women in different stages of their careers, all with a plethora of film credits.  It ponders if the current conversations in film will lead to a paradigm shift or if this is simply a brief respite from systemic discrimination.  Will the current atmosphere lead to the change film and TV need?  It is an inspiring, and at times frustrating, film.  So much has been done, yet there remains so much to do. Continue reading Exclusive Interview With Director Amy Adrion About “Half the Picture”