From Indie to Blockbuster: the Evolution of “The Twilight Saga”
Morgan Holly analyzes how “the Twilight Saga” grew from a small budget to launching the over $3.3 billion worldwide grossing vampire franchise.
Essays
The Michael Myers Impact
Lauren Bjella analyzes the “Halloween” franchise and its impact starting as an independent film, with the 40th anniversary of “Halloween II” (1981).
No Ghost Land: Chinese Horror Growing Under Strict Censorship
Xinyan Fu dives into the Chinese horror movie history and the ideology behind the censorship that targets horror movies.
Sustaining Joy and Creativity within a Pandemic
We find ourselves in a global pandemic, quarantined in our homes, and collectively isolated from our loved ones. Members of…
Going for The Jugular: Actor/Writer/Director Camille Hollett-French
Ever doubt your sanity after selling your condo and moving halfway across the country? Meet Camille Hollett-French, writer, director, and actor of Her Story (In Three Parts): No. 3 In the Absence of Angels. Despite doubts and financial obstacles, her efforts were awarded when was selected to screen at the 2019 Slamdance Film Festival, the Park City film festival focused on emerging artists and low-budget independent films. In this piece, Courtney Gardner writes from a conversation with Hollett-French about the use of film to discuss sexuality and shame, and about what it means to go for the jugular.
The Wild Immersion: What is The Role of VR in Saving Wildlife?
Ready for an unforgettable ride? Fasten your VR headset as Courtney Gardner shares her first experience with VR in The Wild Immersion at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. The film’s director, Adrien Moisson, takes the journey too, sharing with Courtney his views about the potential for VR technology to create new forms of compassion and empathy—in this case around the needs of large animals around the world.
Meet the Director: Alice Waddington
Courtney Gardner, who attended this year’s Sundance Film Festival (January 23—February 3) shares insights abut Paradise Hills, the feature debut of 28-year-old, Spanish director Alice Waddington. Bringing her love of science fiction and fantasy to the screen, Alice tells a story of women traditionally underrepresented in film. Alice spoke with Courtney about the identities she holds close, the barriers she sees and has faced in the film industry, and of the symbolism in Paradise Hills
A Tribute to Jonas Mekas (1922-2019)
Immigrant artisan, insatiable curator, preservationist, fearless exhibitor who got the world to understand that raw and unruly “underground” cinema could be classic independent moviemaking —Jonas Mekas did it all, passing away January 23 at age 96. Senior film critic Kurt Brokaw salutes the life and work of the pioneer who built Anthology Film Archives in lower Manhattan, proudly calling himself a filmer and not a filmmaker.
“What Would Happen If ‘The Goods’ Got Together?”
In this final installment of Bette, Marilyn, and #MeToo, Kerry McElroy brings her timely and informative series to a close. But not before considering what today’s feminists and Hollywood insiders have to say about the relevance of studio-era actresses on this contemporary moment.