Obsessed with Independent Film Since 1976
From Indie to Blockbuster: the Evolution of “The Twilight Saga”
By Morgan HollyMorgan Holly analyzes how “the Twilight Saga” grew from a small budget to launching the over $3.3 billion worldwide grossing vampire franchise.
Features
The Michael Myers Impact
By Lauren BjellaLauren Bjella analyzes the “Halloween” franchise and its impact starting as an independent film, with the 40th anniversary of “Halloween II” (1981).
DOC NYC Nov 10-18 – Critic’s Choice
By Kurt BrokawSenior Film Critic Kurt Brokaw reviews this year’s DOC NYC and reviews Film, The Living Record of Our Memory, Storm Lake and The Art of Making It from the festival.
No Ghost Land: Chinese Horror Growing Under Strict Censorship
By Xinyan FuXinyan Fu dives into the Chinese horror movie history and the ideology behind the censorship that targets horror movies.
Beat the Algorithm: Top Five Hidden Gems on Netflix
By Jake PeterSifting through the glut of content available on streaming services can sometimes feel like more work than it’s worth. Algorithms that supposedly know your tastes better than yourself present wave after wave of movies and series spanning all genres and eras. Even the most focused browsers can find themselves lost in the weeds. Netflix is… Read more »
The Female Gaze: Framing Trauma in Fairchild
By Lou BalikosIn the second installment of The Female Gaze series, Lou Balikos provides a thought-provoking examination of filmmaker Kali Kahn’s debut short film, Fairchild, a narrative that follows a young girl as she grapples with the traumatic effects of her sexual assault.
The Female Gaze: To Think, Not To Dream
By Anna BrosnihanRevisiting and redefining our Women in Film Portraits series, Anna Brosnihan analyzes Celine Sciamma’s 2019 hit film, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, in celebration of International Women’s Month.
New York Film Festival – Critic’s Choices
By Kurt Brokaw2020 New York Film Festival – For the first time in its 58 year history, Manhattan’s NYFF wasn’t shown in its Lincoln Center home. Senior Film Critic Kurt Brokaw watched it all online, reviewing his favorite narrative dramas, documentary features, and outstanding shorts.
The Gay Agenda is Alive and Well: These Thems
By Courtney Gardner“Look at all these…thems, shes, hes, zirs…” Vero says, leaning against the bar, as the smile of a proud parent reaches across their face. This scene ends with a powerful, incredibly joyful, dance montage overlayed with the Hallway Swimmers’ Night Out, “We are the lucky ones; we have already won. We are together now. Can’t… Read more »
The 58th annual New York Film Festival Starts September 17
By John RodzvillaFilm at Lincoln Center recently announced the 25 films that comprise the Main Slate of the 58th New York Film Festival, which will run from September 17 – October 11. The festival has an expanded schedule in order to provide additional access to the festival via drive-in screenings at The Brooklyn Army Terminal and Queens… Read more »