The films which are included come from different corners of the world, in chronological order, the focus being on the European cinema. So, without a further ado, let’s dive into the strange realms ruled by ten daring artists. 1. Who’s Crazy (Tom White, 1966) / Belgium | USA Tom White’s one and only feature had been considered lost for… Read more »
The element of surprise is a major weapon in any storyteller’s arsenal. Their seeming voyeuristic delight in watching someone expecting one thing and delivering the complete opposite must be ultimately satisfying. To kill off a major character unexpectedly (happens a few times in this list) when the character is ingrained in the viewers mind as one that WILL see it… Read more »
So many will be lost. All those memories, so meaningful to the individual, will fade away. Their lives had purpose, their narratives were inspired through experience, by the love or harsh teachings of a parent, a vengeful or forgiving deity, a chemical spur in the brain, by the ultimate randomness of interlinked cells or by the biochemical wishes of a… Read more »
Cinema started as an entertainment business more than an art business; it was a brand new technology and an art form whose artistic potential was not suspected. There were no filmmakers, only people deeply interested in storytelling and moving images. These people who had never seen a film had to start somewhere and they used what they knew about other… Read more »
It was a decade of differences in that there are only nine entries due one of our chaps winning twice and America doesn’t quite have a stranglehold on producing great directors with only six of the nine being born in the USA. Also this decade has three of the six men best known as actors who went on to win… Read more »
Throughout film history, geniuses made masterpieces that represent not only the issues of their own times but also reaching universal themes — these movies are relatable years after their initial release. This list compiles such works from around the world: Italy, Japan, France and beyond, crossing over genres from horror to comedy. 10. In Search of Fellini (2017) This… Read more »
As another year draws to a close and we wonder where the time went, we find ourselves facing the last few weeks of the year. And with that, comes another awards season and the films that go along with it. As expected, there are some pretty interesting films on the way for fans to anticipate. Whether they’re based on true… Read more »
Film is one of the most successful mediums at feeding in to our greatest fears, and playing on them. Whatever your fear may be, there is bound to be a film that has you running from the room/hiding behind a cushion/quaking in your boots. But fear is a big seller in Hollywood, and audiences love to be scared. Claustrophobia is… Read more »
Well, now that the sun has set on the sensational 36th annual Vancouver International Film Festival (which ran from September 28th to October 13th, 2017), Taste of Cinema offers up our favorites from what was yet another bustling, exciting, and very impressive festival. As with previous years at VIFF, it was a very crowded field with so many movies vying… Read more »
Stephen King’s “It” is a powerhouse at the box office. It is a truly remarkable sight to behold. Whether or not you like the movie, there’s no denying that it is like a lightning in a bottle moment for cinema. Horror movies are never this big. Even after seeing “Get Out” slay the box office in a truly unique way… Read more »
For any cinephile, there is nothing more exciting than an independent film. With a scene that is comprised of ambitious filmmakers eager to push envelopes (and buttons, sometimes) and free from complete studio control, the possibilities of an independent film are endless, and the viewer is usually guaranteed to see something they never thought possible in a movie. Below, one… Read more »
There are many reasons for not wanting to rewatch a film. Very disturbing themes, approaching themes that are very difficult to digest, or just being bad (which is not the case of any movie on this list), there are films we simply are not able to watch for a second time. On this list, the decision was to approach good… Read more »
Generally made to milk a concept, character or genre, movie sequels have never been especially renowned for their artistic integrity. In the case of movies with more than one sequel, these often mammoth series of spin offs and money grinders—series which can last decades in some cases—are all too often perfect examples of the law of diminishing returns. Both artistically… Read more »
Sequels are a hard nut to crack. Hollywood’s insistence on utilizing any name brand they can get their hands on doesn’t always work. It rarely does. Just because something had a name that was worthwhile at some point, or worthwhile to a niche audience, doesn’t mean it’s going to make money, and money is what these suits want. It’s even… Read more »
Steve McQueen’s “Shame” is a film one can rarely encounter. The director is also a visual artist, which obviously has an immense impact on his visual and narrative style. “Shame” is his second film, following his debut film “Hunger” which doesn’t shy away from showing the brutality and violence inflicted upon an individual, in a way that is straightforward but… Read more »
New York-based indie filmmaker Nathan Silver (Soft in the Head, Stinking Heaven) steps out of his comfort zone for the City of Lights in his wonderfully warped new film, Thirst Street. Initially, during the film’s pre-title preface the viewer is deftly launched into what feels like a keyed up Sirkian melodrama –– imagine, if you will, Douglas Sirk did some… Read more »
