character study

From THE KING'S SPEECH to TOLKIEN: The Reductiveness Of The Paint-By-Numbers Biopic
From THE KING’S SPEECH to TOLKIEN: The Reductiveness Of The Paint-By-Numbers Biopic

We delve into biopics, specifically how the mundaneness of the stories of these real people actually do them a disservice.

Rubber Duckies And Killing Kittens: Why Has Mainstream Film Become Fixated on Backstory?
Rubber Duckies & Killing Kittens: Why Has Mainstream Film Become Fixated On Backstory?

With more and more sequels, prequels and spin-offs hitting our screens, Luke Walpole examines the focus on backstory in cinema.

NATIVE SON: A Modern Retelling
NATIVE SON: A Modern Retelling

Despite its Green Book-esque premise, Native Son creates a Chicago that draws the audience in with its effortlessly alternative pizzazz.

Lana Banana, Candyman, Candyman: Being an Ally in American Horror
Lana Banana, Candyman, Candyman: Being An Ally In American Horror

Evoking Candyman in this season, American Horror Story dredges up misplaced allyship and the appropriation of another’s culture and story.

Luke Skywalker: The Hero of the Mono-Myth
Luke Skywalker: The Hero Of The Mono-Myth

We break down six scenes from the original Star Wars trilogy to understand audience’s attatchment to Luke Skywalker, the classic protagonist who goes on a transformational journey to defeat evil.

DRIVERX: An Exploration of Our Society Through Its Character Study
DRIVERX: An Exploration Of Our Society Through Its Character Study

DriverX is a memorable character study, managing to capture the beauty of a city at night, while exploring generational differences and self-discovery.

THE CLOVEHITCH KILLER: An Eternal Debate and Strong Characters Are Not Enough
THE CLOVEHITCH KILLER: An Eternal Debate & Strong Characters Are Not Enough

A slow-burner, The Clovehitch Killer toys with your mind, leaving you to question what you already know to be true.

THE WILD PEAR TREE: An Engrossing Study of an Insufferable Character
THE WILD PEAR TREE: An Engrossing Study Of An Insufferable Character

The Wild Pear Tree is a character study so richly detailed, the audience is left feeling like we’ve actually spent time with such an insufferable individual once its all over.

Interview with Dominic West, Star of COLETTE
“We are still having these arguments we had hundreds of years ago,” Interview With Dominic West, Star Of COLETTE

We spoke with Dominic West who is currently starring in Colette (and known for The Wire and The Affair), about fame, women’s voices in film and more.

A SECOND CHANCE: Subverting Familiar Character Types
A SECOND CHANCE: Subverting Familiar Character Types

A Second Chance manages to pose a shocking moral quandary without falling into an academic exercise by grounding its characters in real feelings.

LIZ AND THE BLUE BIRD: Intimacy in Style and Song
LIZ AND THE BLUE BIRD: Intimacy In Style & Song

Liz and the Blue Bird is an indepth and stylistic chracter study that explores the details and hidden emotional gravity of seemingly unremarkable situations.

DOUBTFUL: A Heartfelt & Earnest Debut
DOUBTFUL: A Heartfelt & Earnest Debut

Doubtful proves to be an intelligent, intimate, and potent first feature for Israelian director Eliran Elya.

SXSW Review: FIRST REFORMED: The Culmination Of Schrader's Career
SXSW Review: FIRST REFORMED: The Culmination Of Schrader’s Career

First Reformed had its U.S. premiere at SXSW, with Paul Schrader and Ethan Hawke in attendance. First Reformed brings Paul Schrader’s career to a full circle, with both strong Bressonian and Taxi Driver influences.

Interview With Stephanie Beatriz, Star Of HALF MAGIC

“[It] should be the norm that we’re just casting across the board all kinds of different people, because that’s how our world looks” – we spoke with the insightful and delightful Stephanie Beatriz, who stars in Heather Graham’s HALF MAGIC.

There's Something Missing From PHANTOM THREAD
There’s Something Missing From PHANTOM THREAD

Have critics been too easy on Phantom Thread? Emily Wheeler examines how the tenets of auteur theory may be causing some viewers to overlook the film’s underdeveloped women and generic clumsiness.