Tag: Sally Hawkins

Reviews

OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS 2015 – LIVE ACTION

Michael J. Casey

For the past ten years, ShortsHD™, the global Short Movie Channel (www.shorts.tv), has worked with Magnolia Pictures to bring the Oscar Nominated short programs (Live Action/Animation/Documentary) to theaters, giving audiences a chance to see the nominees prior to Hollywood’s Big Night. This Friday, the five nominees for Live Action short film will play as one program Denver, CO at Landmark’s Chez Artiste. Visit http://www.landmarktheatres.com/denver/chez-artiste-theatre for screening times, ticket prices and additional info. All photos courtesy of ShortsHD. Aya (Israel – France/39 mins/2012) – Aya (Sarah Adler) was waiting for her friend’s flight to land when a driver (Gil Wasserman) handed her a sign … Continue reading OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS 2015 – LIVE ACTION

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THE DOUBLE

Michael J. Casey

The Double, an adaptation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s 1866 novella, is brought to the screen via writer/director Richard Ayoade and co-screenwriter Avi Korine. What Ayoade and Korine get right is Dostoyevsky’s impending sense of doom. No one is going to walk out of this situation unscathed, and they know it. The only thing left to do is play out the script, go through the motions and bring down the house. As Hunter S. Thompson used to say, “Buy the ticket, take the ride.” The scenario is as such: Simon James (Jesse Eisenberg) is a meek and timid data processor for a … Continue reading THE DOUBLE

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GODZILLA

Michael J. Casey

Consider what it must have been like for an ant building a hill on the island of Guadalcanal in 1942. You, and a thousand of your closest friends, are going about the business of collecting food and constructing tunnels when suddenly, a giant boot comes crashing down. Pandemonium. Destruction. Carnage everywhere. Then, an explosion nearby scatters debris and sand everywhere, killing more. A branch falls on the hill, burying more ants, collapsing the western corridor. Another explosion. Another batch for the Grim Reaper. Another boot. Then another. Bullets hit the dirt, spraying hot sand all around. Ants run hither and … Continue reading GODZILLA

Movie Beat

Movie Beat – 05.16.14

Michael J. Casey

Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case – Reactionary and revolutionary Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei is out on bail. Apparently the Chinese government is taking cues from The Untouchables, because Weiwei was thrown in solitary confinement for 81 days due to Tax Evasion. Ai Weiwei tries his best to dismantle the system from the inside, but the battle is taking its toll. Andreas Johnsen directs the documentary that follows China’s infamous political activist. International Film Circuit gives it a limited release.   Chinese Puzzle – Marriage can sometimes be very complicated. Especially when you toss lesbian-lovers, green cards and psychotics into the … Continue reading Movie Beat – 05.16.14

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THE OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT SUBJECTS – ANIMATION

Michael J. Casey

Of the twenty-four categories, The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences devotes three categories to honor achievement in a short subject: Animation, Documentary, and Live Action. Submissions must be less than 40 minutes in length and have held a seven-day theatrical run in either Los Angeles County or the Borough of Manhattan during the eligibility period (October 1, 2012 – September 30, 2013 for Animation and Live Action, September 1, 2012 – August 31, 2013 for Documentary). The Academy has presented an Oscar for the Animated Short Film since 1932. Shorts HD TV have done an excellent job making these … Continue reading THE OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT SUBJECTS – ANIMATION

Movie Beat

Movie Beat – 07.26.13

Michael J. Casey

Blue Jasmine – It’s Woody Allen’s latest. Those words are enough. There are few filmmakers who have earned that right, but way up at the top of the heap is the great and prolific Mr. Allen. Set in San Francisco, a housewife struggles with her life after her scamming husband destroyed it all. Lots of insight, lots of jokes, and lots of acidic observations about people with First World Problems. Starring Cate Blanchett, Sally Hawkins, Alden Ehrenreich, Michael Stuhlbarg, Alec Baldwin, Peter Sarsgaard, Louis C.K., Andrew Dice Clay, among others great acting talent. In limited release from Sony Pictures Classics. … Continue reading Movie Beat – 07.26.13