Track my film passions of the past year and the result is this list. These are the films that wowed and moved me, that turned me into a rabid champion, that gave me hope that brilliant cinematic storytelling — and a rebel spirit — is alive and well. It turned out to be a strong year for women directors (five), romances (three), World War II dramas (two), Angelina Jolie movies (two), animation (one), and documentaries (one).
See More:The Best Movies of 2017, According to IndieWire Critic Eric Kohn 12. “The Breadwinner” (GKids)
Directed by Nora Twomey of Cartoon Saloon (“The Secret of Kells”) and executive produced by Angelina Jolie, Irish-Canadian “The Breadwinner” is based on Deborah Ellis’s Ya novel about 11-year-old Parvana (voiced by Canadian actress Saara Chaudry), a strong-willed Afghan girl who disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family and save her father under threat from the Taliban.
See More:The Best Movies of 2017, According to IndieWire Critic Eric Kohn 12. “The Breadwinner” (GKids)
Directed by Nora Twomey of Cartoon Saloon (“The Secret of Kells”) and executive produced by Angelina Jolie, Irish-Canadian “The Breadwinner” is based on Deborah Ellis’s Ya novel about 11-year-old Parvana (voiced by Canadian actress Saara Chaudry), a strong-willed Afghan girl who disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family and save her father under threat from the Taliban.
- 12/1/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Greta Gerwig has a story about the moment she knew she would become a director. Shortly after she starred in and co-wrote “Frances Ha” with Noah Baumbach, she met “Orlando” director Sally Potter at a party. Gerwig cornered Potter, to pick her brain.
“I do that with people I admire,” Gerwig said. “I was writing a lot. I was asking her about how she does what she does. Does she do it first thing in the morning in longhand, or many computer drafts? I was being nerdy and needy, and she was answering and being very kind.
“Then she grabbed me by the arm and looked me in the eyes and asked me, ‘What do you really want to ask me about?’ My blood ran cold. ‘You really want to ask me about directing.’
‘How do you know that?’
‘I’m part gypsy and it’s written all over you!
“I do that with people I admire,” Gerwig said. “I was writing a lot. I was asking her about how she does what she does. Does she do it first thing in the morning in longhand, or many computer drafts? I was being nerdy and needy, and she was answering and being very kind.
“Then she grabbed me by the arm and looked me in the eyes and asked me, ‘What do you really want to ask me about?’ My blood ran cold. ‘You really want to ask me about directing.’
‘How do you know that?’
‘I’m part gypsy and it’s written all over you!
- 11/3/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Greta Gerwig has a story about the moment she knew she would become a director. Shortly after she starred in and co-wrote “Frances Ha” with Noah Baumbach, she met “Orlando” director Sally Potter at a party. Gerwig cornered Potter, to pick her brain.
“I do that with people I admire,” Gerwig said. “I was writing a lot. I was asking her about how she does what she does. Does she do it first thing in the morning in longhand, or many computer drafts? I was being nerdy and needy, and she was answering and being very kind.
“Then she grabbed me by the arm and looked me in the eyes and asked me, ‘What do you really want to ask me about?’ My blood ran cold. ‘You really want to ask me about directing.’
‘How do you know that?’
‘I’m part gypsy and it’s written all over you!
“I do that with people I admire,” Gerwig said. “I was writing a lot. I was asking her about how she does what she does. Does she do it first thing in the morning in longhand, or many computer drafts? I was being nerdy and needy, and she was answering and being very kind.
“Then she grabbed me by the arm and looked me in the eyes and asked me, ‘What do you really want to ask me about?’ My blood ran cold. ‘You really want to ask me about directing.’
‘How do you know that?’
‘I’m part gypsy and it’s written all over you!
- 11/3/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Writer-director Sergio Sollima gives us one of the best 'political' Italo westerns from the pre- May '68 era... with two top stars in great form, Gian Maria Volontè and Tomas Milian. This two-disc German import has both the long and short versions of the movie in HD, with full language options for each. Face to Face (Faccia a faccia; Von Angesicht zu Angesicht) Region A+B Blu-ray Explosive Media (Alive) 1967 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 93, 112 min. / Street Date April 29, 2016 / available at Amazon.de / E 21,93 Starring Gian Maria Volontè, Tomas Milian, William Berger, Jolanda Modio, Gianni Rizzo, Carole André Ángel del Pozo, Aldo Sambrell, Antonio Casas, Lidia Alfonsi, John Karlsen, Gastone Moschin, G&eacutge;rard Tichy. Cinematography Raphael Pacheco Film Editor Eugenio Alabiso Original Music Ennio Morricone Art Direction and sets Carlo Simi Written by Sergio Donati, Sergio Sollima Produced by Arturo González, Alberto Grimaldi <Directed by Sergio Sollima
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Wow,...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Wow,...
- 10/4/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
"Jersey Shore" stars Snooki stopped by The Grove to talk about season 5 of the MTV reality show. The new season promises not to disappoint viewers and is just as outrageous as past seasons. Snooki revealed, "They probably show more fights, more drunkenness, more drama... I don't want to watch 'cause it's embarrassing."
Thanks to the success and cult-like following of "Jersey Shore," Snooki and JWoww will get their own spin-off show. When Mario Lopez commented,...
Thanks to the success and cult-like following of "Jersey Shore," Snooki and JWoww will get their own spin-off show. When Mario Lopez commented,...
- 1/10/2012
- Extra
Reality star Jenny "JWoww" Farley from MTV's "The Jersey Shore" covers the January issue of Maxim in a barely-there bikini -- showing off her "Woww" factor.
The brunette bombshell talked about the "insane" moments while filming in Italy, saying, "Even watching it is pretty intense! It's very emotional, and I was there and lived it. But we're fine now. We watch it together and laugh at what we went through."
Jwoww has noticeably calmed down over the last few seasons,...
The brunette bombshell talked about the "insane" moments while filming in Italy, saying, "Even watching it is pretty intense! It's very emotional, and I was there and lived it. But we're fine now. We watch it together and laugh at what we went through."
Jwoww has noticeably calmed down over the last few seasons,...
- 12/7/2011
- Extra
Before they were stars of the "Jersey Shore," Snooki was an aspiring veterinary technician and Jenni "JWoww" spent three years studying computer programming.
Check out more fun facts about the "Jersey Shore" cast.
Fun Facts About the 'Jersey Shore' CastNicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole was raised by her adoptive parents in Marlboro, New York.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Before "Jersey Shore," Nicole was an aspiring veterinary technician.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole's other self-imposed nickname is "Princess of Poughkeepsie.
Check out more fun facts about the "Jersey Shore" cast.
Fun Facts About the 'Jersey Shore' CastNicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole was raised by her adoptive parents in Marlboro, New York.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Before "Jersey Shore," Nicole was an aspiring veterinary technician.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole's other self-imposed nickname is "Princess of Poughkeepsie.
- 1/6/2011
- Extra
Chicago – Early last month, the Midwest Independent Film Festival had their year-end “Best of the Midwest” Awards, honoring their showcase films throughout the 2010 calendar year. Director John Naughton and two actresses – Elizabeth Laidlaw and Erica Lynn Schmeck – were interviewed during the event.
The Midwest Independent Film Festival will resume their ongoing film program on Tuesday, February 1st, 2011, and will gather every first Tuesday thereafter throughout the year.
Director John Naughton of “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” and “Mad Dog and Glory”
Chicago native John McNaughton made his feature film debut with the notorious “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” (1986) and has had notable mainstream film success with “Mad Dog and Glory” (1993), starring Bill Murray and Robert De Niro, and “Wild Things” (1998), with Neve Campbell, Kevin Bacon and Denise Richards. He has also directed a number of familiar TV shows including “Homicide: Life on the Streets” and “Without a Trace.
The Midwest Independent Film Festival will resume their ongoing film program on Tuesday, February 1st, 2011, and will gather every first Tuesday thereafter throughout the year.
Director John Naughton of “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” and “Mad Dog and Glory”
Chicago native John McNaughton made his feature film debut with the notorious “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” (1986) and has had notable mainstream film success with “Mad Dog and Glory” (1993), starring Bill Murray and Robert De Niro, and “Wild Things” (1998), with Neve Campbell, Kevin Bacon and Denise Richards. He has also directed a number of familiar TV shows including “Homicide: Life on the Streets” and “Without a Trace.
- 1/3/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Before they were stars of the "Jersey Shore," Snooki was an aspiring veterinary technician and Jenni "JWoww" spent three years studying computer programming.
Check out more fun facts about the "Jersey Shore" cast.
Fun Facts About the 'Jersey Shore' CastNicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole was raised by her adoptive parents in Marlboro, New York.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Before "Jersey Shore," Nicole was an aspiring veterinary technician.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole's other self-imposed nickname is "Princess of Poughkeepsie.
Check out more fun facts about the "Jersey Shore" cast.
Fun Facts About the 'Jersey Shore' CastNicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole was raised by her adoptive parents in Marlboro, New York.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Before "Jersey Shore," Nicole was an aspiring veterinary technician.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole's other self-imposed nickname is "Princess of Poughkeepsie.
- 7/29/2010
- Extra
Before they were stars of the "Jersey Shore," Snooki was an aspiring veterinary technician and Jenni "JWoww" spent three years studying computer programming.
Check out more fun facts about the "Jersey Shore" cast.
Fun Facts About the 'Jersey Shore' CastNicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole was raised by her adoptive parents in Marlboro, New York.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Before "Jersey Shore," Nicole was an aspiring veterinary technician.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole's other self-imposed nickname is "Princess of Poughkeepsie.
Check out more fun facts about the "Jersey Shore" cast.
Fun Facts About the 'Jersey Shore' CastNicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole was raised by her adoptive parents in Marlboro, New York.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Before "Jersey Shore," Nicole was an aspiring veterinary technician.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole's other self-imposed nickname is "Princess of Poughkeepsie.
- 5/22/2010
- Extra
Before they were stars of the "Jersey Shore," Snooki was an aspiring veterinary technician and Jenni "JWoww" spent three years studying computer programming.
Check out more fun facts about the "Jersey Shore" cast.
Fun Facts About the 'Jersey Shore' CastNicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole was raised by her adoptive parents in Marlboro, New York.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Before "Jersey Shore," Nicole was an aspiring veterinary technician.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole's other self-imposed nickname is "Princess of Poughkeepsie.
Check out more fun facts about the "Jersey Shore" cast.
Fun Facts About the 'Jersey Shore' CastNicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole was raised by her adoptive parents in Marlboro, New York.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Before "Jersey Shore," Nicole was an aspiring veterinary technician.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Nicole's other self-imposed nickname is "Princess of Poughkeepsie.
- 4/14/2010
- Extra
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