Wildlife’s signature image is of a husband and wife pensively looking at each other across an empty chair. Momentarily, their only child will occupy that chair, but his presence will not unite them. Instead, it will only amplify the gulf … Continue reading DFF Review — WILDLIFE
It’s only a matter of minutes before a loaded gun is produced. Not unusual considering Ash is Purest White revolves around two gangsters, but this is mid-’90s China and unregister firearms are illegal and come with a heavy penalty. Just showing someone … Continue reading DFF Review — ASH IS PUREST WHITE (江湖儿女)
The 41st Denver Film Festival brings together more than 300 shorts and feature films from Oct. 31–Nov. 11. Sure, there are bound to be some duds in there, but 2018 is a veritable cinematic bumper crop, particularly when you look … Continue reading The World Comes to DFF: Dispatches From the 41st Denver Film Festival
The Denver Film Festival (DFF) turns 40 this year, and for the next two weekends, the Sie Film Center, the UA Pavilions, and the Ellie Caulkins Opera House become the center of moviegoing in the Centennial State. With roughly 150 … Continue reading The Cinema Awaits: Dispatches From the 40th Denver Film Festival
One of the many pleasures of going to the movies is the discovery of new ideas, new voices, and new faces. Last weekend, that discovery belonged to newcomer Hayden Szeto as he charmed the screen in The Edge of Seventeen. Though The Edge … Continue reading Hayden Szeto on THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN
THE PULITZER AT 100 Hungarian immigrant and yellow journalist Joseph Pulitzer wanted to elevate his chosen profession by honoring the best in the business. He gave his fortune to Columbia University to start a school of journalism, and on June … Continue reading The 39th Denver Film Festival — Days 8–12
I, DANIEL BLAKE When I, Daniel Blake was announced as the winner of the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the critical press was stunned that anything could have topped Maren Ade’s German comedy, Toni Erdmann. Par for the course, really: … Continue reading The 39th Denver Film Festival — Day 6 & 7
There is something in the air at the 39th Denver Film Festival (DFF), something musical. Be it Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling channeling the spirits of Rogers and Astaire in the opening night film La La Land, the swinging jazz musicians … Continue reading A Couple of Clowns: Dispatches From the 39th Denver Film Festival
ACTOR MARTINEZ If acting is reacting, what is Actor Martinez? Blurring the lines between documentary and fiction, a Denver-based actor, Arthur Martinez (playing himself), hires two indie directors, Mike Ott and Nathan Silver (also playing themselves), to make a movie about … Continue reading The 39th Denver Film Festival — Day 4 & 5
Michael J. Cinema 
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