LFF2022 Review: She Said
Film critic Calum Cooper continues coverage of the London Film Festival by reviewing investigative journalism drama “She Said”. Continue reading LFF2022 Review: She Said
Tag: #MeToo
Review: Men
What is Alex Garland’s “Men” all about? It’s perhaps one of this year’s most intriguing and most haunting horror films, but its actual meaning is wrapped in a cocoon of mystery and enigma. Is it a modern retelling of the legend of the Green Man? Is it a home invasion film for the #MeToo era? It’s hard to find the words to describe “Men” to you. How do I give a brief synopsis of the film without revealing too much? With a film like “Men” it’s best to go into the theater knowing as little as possible in order to gain the most impact from the film’s content. Continue reading Review: Men
Review: “Stagiaire”
Year: 2021 Runtime: 10 minutes Director/Writer: Marina Michelson Cast: Marina Michelson, Spenser Granese, Chloe Wepper, Briana Venkus, Ramiz Monsef, Aaron Smith, Angel Halford, Michael Ashley, Patricio Cabrera-Sanchez By Morgan Roberts If reality television has taught us anything, the professional kitchen is a very male-dominated arena. So, what does it look like to walk into that environment as a woman? Writer/director Marina Michelson explores just that … Continue reading Review: “Stagiaire”
Review: “The New York Times Presents … Framing Britney Spears”
“Framing Britney Spears” aims to delve into the conservatorship that placed Spears’s father in control of her estate after her public breakdown and involuntary hospitalization in 2008. (Since filming wrapped, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge earlier this year denied her father’s objections to share monetary control with a financial institution, Bessemer Trust.) Continue reading Review: “The New York Times Presents … Framing Britney Spears”
Don’t Shut the Door.
(Photograph owned by Rachel Feldman. Photograph of Feldman and cinematographer Nancy Schreiber shot by Erin Brown.) By Special Guest Writer Rachel Feldman I have grey hair, no longer menstruate, and am a Hollywood director. For 35 years I endured employment discrimination and exclusion in my industry. Luckier than most, I managed to carve out a decent career, with some great jobs albeit in fits and … Continue reading Don’t Shut the Door.
ITOL Top 15 Films of 2020 (So Far), Numbers 5-1
Phew! We’ve finally reached numbers 5 through 1. We hope you like our picks and maybe seek out the films that you haven’t yet seen. You can find numbers 15-11 here and numbers 10-6 here. Please let us know which films make your top 15 list and what films are you looking forward to catching later this year! A massive thank you to all the ITOL writers who contributed and voted. Here’s hoping the rest of 2020 won’t be so eventful! Continue reading ITOL Top 15 Films of 2020 (So Far), Numbers 5-1
Review: Nevertheless
Year: 2020 Runtime: 80 Minutes Director: Sarah Moshman By Erica Richards “Nevertheless” hits the ground running at full speed and does not hold back. So, prepare and buckle up—otherwise you will be left in the dust. This is one of those documentaries that I passionately believe every person can benefit from watching and should watch, if you are able to. If for nothing else than … Continue reading Review: Nevertheless
Review: The Other Lamb
“The Other Lamb” is the English language debut from filmmaker Malgorzata Szumowska. You may not be familiar with Szymowska’s work, but she is an auteur with a distinct voice and style, her previous films have been divisive “Elles” (2011) a sexually explicit drama which followed Anne (Juliette Binoche), a journalist in Paris for French Elle who is writing an article about female student prostitution, the 2013 film “In the Name Of” which told the story of a closeted gay Catholic priest living in rural Poland and the 2018 film “Mug”, a strange comedy that told the story of fun-loving Jacek (Mateusz Kościukiewicz) who is disfigured in an accident at work, and becomes the first person in Poland to receive a face transplant, which leads to his status as a national hero and martyr. As a filmmaker, Szumowska isn’t afraid to take on unusual and challenging narratives which push boundaries and are designed to make the viewer think. Continue reading Review: The Other Lamb
The “Bombshell” Backlash is Problematic
For me, 2019’s most divisive film was “Bombshell.” which chronicles the downfall of right-wing propagandist Roger Ailes (John Lithgow). Ailes, a well-known predator, was eventually ousted at Fox News, the ‘fascist’ juggernaut he created. Numerous women came forward with horrific stories of sexual harassment and abuse.
“Bombshell” highlights the story of three characters – two real women and one who is the amalgamation of stories. The real women Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron) and Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman) have a history of perpetuating the far-right ideology of Fox News. Kayla (the stellar Margot Robbie) is a fictional portrayal of many women who encountered Ailes. Continue reading The “Bombshell” Backlash is Problematic
Exclusive Interview with director Courtney Hope Thérond
During LFF 2019 I encountered many short films, there were many that I enjoyed but there was one that stayed with me long after the festival had ended. This film was “Rehearsal” written and directed by Courtney Hope Thérond, who very kindly agreed to talk to ITOL regarding her film and the it’s production. During our interview we discussed what inspired her to make the film, the issues concerning consent and what filmmakers inspired her. We would like to extend our thanks to Courtney and wish all the best of her luck with her future projects! Continue reading Exclusive Interview with director Courtney Hope Thérond
In Their Own League 