X Men-Dark Phoenix, Review: X-Men, ex X-Men and X-Women Every fan knows that the X in X-Men is for Xavier, the teacher-trainer who runs a school for the differently abled (gifted with a power or force other humans do not possess). In Dark Phoenix, there is a lot of play on the ‘word’, if one may call it that, X-Men. There are X-Men, and there are ex X-Men, then there are women members of X-Men who tell Xavier disparagingly that he should consider changing the name to X-Women, in v...

Alien: Covenant, Review by Siraj Syed: Paradise morphed Five years after Prometheus, this film is the second instalment in the Alien prequel series, and the sixth one in the Alien film series, as well as the third one to be directed by Ridley Scott. Prometheus was his second directorial effort in the series. He was 42 when he directed Alien (1979) and is in his 79th year, when Covenant is releasing. Imagine making a prequel 38 years after the original! Alien Covenant is an interesting film in...

For Slow West, debut director John Maclean tapped veteran cinematographer Robbie Ryan to make it a visual bonanza. I caught up with Ryan several weeks ago, when the film was screening at the Tribeca Film Festival. Click below for his insights:  http://www.thalo.com/articles/view/1037/cinematographer_robbie_ryan_on_shooting_slow_west   ...

  by Quendrith Johnson, Los Angeles Correspondent   When Alfonso Cuarón directed and co-wrote the critically acclaimed Y Tu Mamá También in 2001, it was obvious the Mexican-born director had a few tricks up his sleeve. Last night he paid off those expectations with a huge victory in a tough field as Best Director at the DGA Awards. Cuarón was up against the heavies: Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street), Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), David O. R...

By Maria Esteves – October 13, 2013 The 51st New York Film Festival 2013 (NYFF51) Presentation of 12 YEARS A SLAVE, directed by Steve McQueen commenced Tuesday, October 8, 7:30PM at Walter Reade Theatre in Lincoln Center. Presented by Film Comment Magazine, red carpet arrivals included industry executives, celebrity guests, cast and crew. Golden Globe Award winning artist Madonna appeared as a surprise guest. 12 YEARS A SLAVE in theatres Friday, October 18, 2013. Watch Trailer NYFF51...

Sunday, October 23, 2011 20th Philadelphia Film Festival - Shame Michael Fassbender has a Dirk Diggler size schlong!  And an Adonis rear-end. Beyond that, I don't remember anything about the film Shame.  Just kidding. Well, about the film resonance, not about Fassbender.  In actuality, the film stayed with me for quite awhile.  Seeing two people in so much pain with no clue how to get relief, yet basically from the outside, look as if they are managing the day in a...