The Forty-Year-Old Version (2020)
85%RT Audience Score: 72%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
23 wins & 43 nominations total
The Forty-Year-Old Version opens a compelling window into the ebbs and flows of the artist’s life — and announces writer-director-star Radha Blank as a major filmmaking talent with her feature debut
The Forty-Year-Old Version is the perfect movie for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re not where they’re supposed to be in life. Radha Blank’s hilarious and heartwarming story of a struggling playwright turned rapper is a love letter to New York City and a reminder that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. With a killer soundtrack and a standout performance from Blank herself, this movie is a must-watch for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re stuck in a rut. So grab some popcorn, turn up the volume, and get ready to be inspired!
Production Company(ies)
Apple Original Films, Cartoon Saloon Mélusine Productions,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Streaming, Streaming (Netflix)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for pervasive language, sexual content, some drug use and brief nudity
Year of Release
2020
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:NA
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Oct 9, 2020
Genre(s)
Music
Keyword(s)
starring Radha Blank, Welker White, Reed Birney, Peter Kim, Jacob Ming-Trent, Haskiri Velazquez, directed by Radha Blank, written by Radha Blank, music, struggling playwright, rapper, New York City, middle-aged Black womanhood, artist’s life, major filmmaking talent, feature debut, box office performance, budget, R rating, drug use, brief nudity, sexual content, pervasive language, critic reviews, reviewed by Violet Lucca, Robert Daniels, Soraya Nadia McDonald, David Sims, Tim Cogshell, Lindsey Bahr, Dan Bayer, David Reddish, Kay-B, Ruth Maramis, Nicholas Oon, DarkSkyLady, produced by Radha Blank
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Reed Birney – Josh Whitman
Radha Blank – Radha
Peter Kim – Archie
Jacob Ming-Trent – Lamont
Haskiri Velazquez – Rosa
Director(s)
Radha Blank
Writer(s)
Radha Blank
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
23 wins & 43 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (134) | Top Critics (46) | Fresh (132) | Rotten (2)
The Forty-Year-Old Version paints a loving portrait of parts of New York City that aren’t represented with such care, if at all, in narrative films of this scale.
February 12, 2021
Violet Lucca
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
Everything about The Forty-Year-Old Version feels fresh.
February 12, 2021
Robert Daniels
Polygon
TOP CRITIC
The Forty-Year-Old Version offers a refreshing, unpretentious and often hilarious take on middle-aged Black womanhood.
January 20, 2021
Soraya Nadia McDonald
Andscape
TOP CRITIC
This movie doesn’t follow the Hollywood-friendly narrative of suddenly experiencing great success against all odds. It is more interested in the little details and is all the better for it.
December 3, 2020
David Sims
The Atlantic
TOP CRITIC
Screenwriter, director, co-producer, and star, Radha Blank has come up with an “astute” feature film debut reminiscent of the works of Woody Allen, Noah Baumbach, and Paul Mazursky. Only Blacker, and more girly.
November 6, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4.0
Tim Cogshell
Alt Film Guide
TOP CRITIC
“The Forty-Year-Old Version” makes a compelling case for another set of lists: The 40-Over-40. They deserve it just as much, if not more.
October 30, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4
Lindsey Bahr
Associated Press
TOP CRITIC
A bravura debut, one that will hopefully lead to more opportunities for its multi-talented creator.
May 13, 2022 | Rating: 8/10
Dan Bayer
Next Best Picture
Always interesting and downright hilarious at times, we found its mix of observations about neurosis and the art life original and very smart. Blank gives a splendid performance in the leading role.
March 20, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
David Reddish
Queerty
Without a single lull in storytelling, we all got to witness a rarity onscreen: seeing a Black woman unapologetically in her full glory and essence.
February 9, 2022 | Rating: A+
Kay-B
Pay or Wait
A a phenomenal directorial debut from Radha Blank who’s also magnetic in front of the camera. It’s rare to find a film that has such an authentic voice, so it’s so refreshing to see one that has it in abundance.
November 27, 2021 | Rating: 4.5/5
Ruth Maramis
FlixChatter Film Blog
Radha Blank’s arc embodies the theme of growth and experience, and shows that no matter how much time has passed in life, there’s still plenty of room to grow, and make something of yourself.
September 5, 2021
Nicholas Oon
Maximum Hype (YouTube)
Radha is a heroine who refuses to sacrifice her integrity and vision for her stories and people to dance for the white gatekeepers and white gaze.
July 2, 2021
DarkSkyLady
Nerdist…
Plot
Radha is a down-on-her-luck NY playwright, who is desperate for a breakthrough before 40. Reinventing herself as rapper RadhaMUSPrime, she vacillates between the worlds of Hip Hop and theater in order to find her true voice.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Radha Blank is the writer, director, and star of The Forty-Year-Old Version, showcasing her multi-talented abilities in her feature debut.
Radha-Blank.jpg
85%
The Fight (2020)
85%RT Audience Score: 70%
Awards & Nominations: NA
The Fight takes an engaging look at some of the people working on the front lines for the ACLU — and makes a passionate case for the legal battles they wage
The Fight” is a documentary that shows the hard work and dedication of the ACLU in fighting for the rights of citizens. It’s not your typical “eat your vegetables” kind of film, but rather a thrilling and gut-wrenching examination of how these things work. The hand-drawn animations that accompany courtroom audio and the dark sense of humor make it an engaging watch. It’s a call to arms for all of us to join the fight and turn things around. Plus, it’s a great reminder that lawyers can be cool too!
Production Company(ies)
Warner Bros.,
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
TV-14
Year of Release
2020
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Stereo
-
Aspect ratio:1.78 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 36m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 31, 2020 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 30, 2020
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
The Fight, ACLU, abortion rights, immigrant rights, LGBTQ rights, voting rights, documentary, PG-13, Elyse Steinberg, Josh Kriegman, Eli B Despres, Eli B Despres, Peggy Drexler, Josh Kriegman, Maya Seidler, Kerry Washington, Brigitte Amiri, Lee Gelernt, Brett Kavanaugh, Chase Strangio, Joshua Block, Jeffery Robinson, reviewed by Christy Lemire, Tim Cogshell, Charlotte O’Sullivan, Zach Long, Steve Pond, Peter Bradshaw, Witney Seibold, Proma Khosla, Vadim Rizov, Steve Erickson, produced by Eli B Despres, Peggy Drexler, Josh Kriegman, Maya Seidler, Elyse Steinberg, Kerry Washington, Magnolia Pictures, box office performance, budget
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Lee Gelernt – Self
Brett Kavanaugh – Self
Chase Strangio – Self
Joshua Block – Self
Jeffery Robinson – Self
Director(s)
Elyse Steinberg, Josh Kriegman, Eli B. Despres
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Eli B. Despres, Peggy Drexler, Josh Kriegman, Maya Seidler, Elyse Steinberg, Kerry Washington
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (68) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (67) | Rotten (1)
Very informative. It’s not an “eat your vegetables” thing at all; it is shot and cut very thrillingly and you really come to care and appreciate the hard work that these folks put in.
August 13, 2020
Christy Lemire
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
It’s a fairly thrilling and gut-wrenching examination of how these things work.
August 13, 2020
Tim Cogshell
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
This is a jubilant and mischievous documentary that suggests changing the world for the better is something we can all do.
July 31, 2020 | Rating: 5/5
Charlotte O’Sullivan
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
Effective stylistic choices, like the hand-drawn animations that accompany courtroom audio, and a dark sense of humour smooth out any rough edges.
July 31, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Zach Long
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
It gives each of the cases enough time to play out and also add up to a rich portrait of a complex organization.
July 31, 2020
Steve Pond
TheWrap
TOP CRITIC
A lively and watchable account of the full-tilt battle being fought by the ACLU…
July 31, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Overall, this is an engaging documentary that finds the passion in the struggle to fight the rights of citizens.
June 5, 2022 | Rating: 7/10
Josh Parham
Next Best Picture
How hard is the ACLU fighting? This hard.
March 30, 2021
Witney Seibold
Critically Acclaimed Podcast
It’s tough as a viewer to treat every ideology equally when there is a clear faction inflicting or invoking harm… The film mostly avoids reckoning with this, except in the Charlottesville case, which does not give a satisfying conclusion
March 5, 2021
Proma Khosla
Mashable
…what we have is an eminently well-meaning call to arms, with a closing reminder from the subjects that it’s not lawyers but We, the People, who can turn things around.
September 15, 2020
Vadim Rizov
Filmmaker Magazine
Jamming all of this into a brief documentary results in a shallow montage of soundbites.
September 3, 2020
Steve Erickson
Nashville Scene
It’s a solid film if you care to see the inner workings of the ACLU.
August 18, 2020 | Rating: B+
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews…
Plot
Based on a true story, California Love takes place in 1992 Los Angeles. Joanne Beck (Christa B. Allen) is a young, aspiring entrepreneur whose idealistic outlook suffers a blow when she experiences sexism in the workplace. Looking for a change, Joanne volunteers at community leader Leon Watkins’ (Allen Payne) help center in South Central. Meanwhile, reputed gang member Jay Hunter (Robert Ri’chard), back on the streets following a bid in prison, is nearly killed in a drive-by shooting. When Jay comes to Leon for a loan, he meets Joanne, and their fate is set in motion. The unlikely duo defies social constructs and forms an organization that gains national recognition in the fight against racial injustice. Along the way, they experience love, tragedy, and the deep-seated racism that continues to plague America, ultimately leaving behind a legacy that is as relevant today as ever before.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The Fight features appearances from prominent figures such as Brett Kavanaugh and Chase Strangio.
Elyse-Steinberg.jpg
85%
Ready or Not (2019)
85%RT Audience Score: 78%
Awards & Nominations: 4 wins & 24 nominations
Smart, subversive, and darkly funny, Ready or Not is a crowd-pleasing horror film with giddily entertaining bite
Ready or Not is the perfect blend of horror and comedy, making it a must-watch for anyone who loves a good scare and a good laugh. The plot may not be the most well-thought-out, but who cares when you’re having this much fun? And let’s be real, who doesn’t love cheering on a badass final girl as she takes down the rich and powerful? Plus, the gore is top-notch and will satisfy even the most bloodthirsty horror fans. So grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and get ready for a wild ride with Ready or Not.
Production Company(ies)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,
Distributor
Fox Searchlight
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Parkwood Estate, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for violence, bloody images, language throughout, and some drug use
Year of Release
2019
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Atmos
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 35m
-
Language(s):English, Latin
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 21, 2019 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 27, 2019
Genre(s)
Horror
Keyword(s)
starring Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien, Henry Czerny, Andie MacDowell, Melanie Scrofano, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, written by Guy Busick, Ryan Murphy, horror, R-rated, Fox Searchlight, produced by Tripp Vinson, James Vanderbilt, William Sherak, Bradley J Fischer, $28.7M box office, reviewed by Cody Corrall, Wenlei Ma, David Stratton, Mark Kermode, Simran Hans, Amanda Mazzillo, Britany Murphy, Brian Eggert, Frederick Blichert, Jake Wilson, Dolby Digital, Scope (2.35:1), Grace, Daniel Le Domas, Tony Le Domas, Becky Le Domas, Emilie, midnight hunt, survival, wealthy family, wedding night, hide and seek, deadly game, weapons, dark comedy, horror-fantasy-satire
Worldwide gross: $57,615,777
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $66,572,411
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,215
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 7,259,805
US/Canada gross: $28,714,231
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $33,177,989
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,246
US/Canada opening weekend: $8,015,590
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $9,261,650
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 979
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $6,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $6,932,727
Production budget ranking: 1,807
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $3,733,274
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $55,906,410
ROI to date (est.): 524%
ROI ranking: 244
Adam Brody – Daniel Le Domas
Mark O’Brien – Alex Le Domas
Henry Czerny – Tony Le Domas
Andie MacDowell – Becky Le Domas
Melanie Scrofano – Emilie
Director(s)
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
Writer(s)
Guy Busick, Ryan Murphy
Producer(s)
Tripp Vinson, James Vanderbilt, William Sherak, Bradley J. Fischer
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
4 wins & 24 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (317) | Top Critics (51) | Fresh (280) | Rotten (37)
Weaving comes alive as a hilarious and deeply macabre play on the “final girl” archetype, and it’s nothing short of cathartic to cheer her on and echo the rage that quickly consumes and empowers her.
February 15, 2020
Cody Corrall
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
It’s wildly entertaining and at a tight 90 minutes, it crackles with energy, never letting your attention waver.
November 27, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5
Wenlei Ma
News.com.au
TOP CRITIC
Even by its own humble standards the plot is poorly worked out (a few lame attempts at social commentary criticising the rich are feeble in the extreme) and the dialogue is wretched.
October 25, 2019 | Rating: 1/5
David Stratton
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
There’s no attempt to be seriously disturbing, or to offer us anything more than a macabre good time. Still, on that level the film delivers.
October 24, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Jake Wilson
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
Laugh-out-loud moments with slight revulsion…rather than running out of steam, it keeps picking up pace and cracking along.
October 3, 2019
Mark Kermode
Kermode & Mayo’s Film Review
TOP CRITIC
There is an elegance to the premise – an otherwise straightforward cat-and-mouse chase around a gothic mansion – and a satisfying clip to the rewardingly gory action.
September 29, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Simran Hans
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Ready or Not brings a new twist to the familiar story of trying to impress your soon-to-be in-laws by combining horror, mystery, and a little bit classic screwball comedy
March 8, 2022
Amanda Mazzillo
Amanda Mazzillo’s Cinematic Adventures
Ready Or Not blends horror and comedy effortlessly to give the audience a great viewing experience.
February 26, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Britany Murphy
The Reel Roundup
It’s the kind of low-budget, bound-for-cult-glory movie whose eccentricities will grow on you with repeated viewings.
February 26, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
A darkly hilarious new entry in the ever-expanding cinema of discontent inspired by the one percenters and Donald Trump.
February 13, 2022
Frederick Blichert
The Tyee (British Columbia)
The gorier, gushier, nastier cousin to Knives Out…
January 11, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Josh Larsen
LarsenOnFilm
Episode 48: Ready or Not / It Chapter Two / Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
October 18, 2021 | Rating: 82/100
Taylor Baker
Drink in the Movies…
Plot
All of us have made certain efforts so our in-laws will like us, but Grace is going to have to give it her all if she wants to fit in with her brand new husband’s wealthy dynasty, who require her to follow a brutal tradition: for the bride to try to survive her wedding night while the rest of them hunt her down. The class struggle stuff hits the proverbial fan in this extremely black satire starring a brilliant Samara Weaving and including an uncommonly perverse Andie MacDowell.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
According to Fresh Kernels, Samara Weaving gives an excellent performance in Ready or Not.
Matt-Bettinelli-Olpin.jpg
85%
The Pool (2008)
85%RT Audience Score: 73%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Beautifully crafted with loosely drawn characters and a lilting, natural pace, Chris Smith’s The Pool features a universal message to which everyone can relate
The Pool” is a movie that takes you on a journey to South India, where you get to experience the rural culture and the poverty of the underclass. While the plot may not be action-packed, the film’s natural and unforced style, along with the pure-and-simple performances, make it a fascinating narrative. The movie manages to find moving moments through subtle observation, and the largely non-professional cast delivers engaging performances. Overall, “The Pool” is a truthful, moving story of class, ambition, friendship, and romantic yearning that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Plus, who doesn’t love a good pool?
Production Company(ies)
Produzioni De Sica
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2019
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.78 : 1
-
Runtime:NA
-
Language(s):Thai
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Sep 10, 2018
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Venkatesh Chavan, Jahangir Badshah, Ayesha Mohan, Nana Patekar, directed by Chris Smith, written by Chris Smith, Randy Russell, drama, Hindi language, box office gross $94.9K, reviewed by Tim Robey, Derek Malcolm, Peter Bradshaw, David Jenkins, Nigel Andrews, David Parkinson, Adam Lowes, Alistair Harkness, Philip French, Rich Cline, Allan Hunter, Hannah McGill, universal message, working-class youth, wealthy family, poverty, India, natural pace, subtle observation, engaging characters, involving story, non-professional cast, sweetly elemental, classic tale
Worldwide gross: $201,822
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $233,196
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,905
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 25,430
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Jahangir Badshah – Jhangir
Ayesha Mohan – Ayesha
Nana Patekar – Nana
Chris Smith – Director, Screenwriter
Director(s)
Chris Smith
Writer(s)
Chris Smith, Randy Russell
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (47) | Top Critics (27) | Fresh (45) | Rotten (2)
[A] wholly unobjectionable, likeably performed but faintly soporific drama …
November 16, 2012 | Rating: 3/5
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
It tells you a lot about South India, its essentially rural culture and the stifling poverty of its underclass.
November 16, 2012 | Rating: 4/5
Derek Malcolm
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
Smith’s film is natural and unforced, with a winning fluency and calm observational style.
November 15, 2012 | Rating: 4/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Hopefully Smith will make more movies in this laid-back, poetic style.
November 15, 2012 | Rating: 3/5
David Jenkins
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
Here are filigree detailing, pure-and-simple performances (especially from Venkatesh Chavan as the boy) and a subtly lambent moral tale …
November 15, 2012 | Rating: 4/5
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
A fascinating narrative set in modern-day Indian and full of insights into a class-riven country.
November 13, 2012 | Rating: 2/5
David Parkinson
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
A gentle, leisurely-told tale which strenuously avoids anything resembling even the slightest trace of melodrama, and it manages to find moving moments through subtle observation.
February 5, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Adam Lowes
CineVue
Though plot-wise nothing much happens, Smith elicits strong sense of place and teases out the film’s themes …
December 17, 2012 | Rating: 3/5
Alistair Harkness
Scotsman
It’s a subtle, truthful, moving story of class, ambition, friendship and romantic yearning, extremely well acted by a largely non-professional cast.
November 18, 2012
Philip French
Observer (UK)
Shot with a level of realism we rarely seen in Indian cinema, this film combines sharply engaging characters with an involving story that really gets under the skin. A
November 16, 2012 | Rating: 4/5
Rich Cline
Contactmusic.com
Told with real warmth and charm, this is a confidently handled tale boosted by natural, engaging performances from Venkatesh and Jahangir Badshah as his young friend.
November 16, 2012 | Rating: 4/5
Allan Hunter
Daily Express (UK)
It tells a tale so sweetly elemental and classic that it could pretty much have happened along at any point in storytelling history.
November 13, 2012 | Rating: 4/5
Hannah McGill
The List…
Plot
Day, an insecure art director of a commercial production company is left alone to clear up a 6-meter deep deserted pool after the shooting. He falls asleep on an inflatable raft due to an unbearable fatigue. When he wakes up again the water level has sunk so low that he cannot climb out of the pool on his own. He screams for help but the only thing that hears him is some creature from a nearby crocodile farm.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels mentions that the cast of The Pool is largely non-professional.
Chris-Smith.jpg
85%
Liyana (2018)
85%RT Audience Score: 71%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Liyana is a cinematic masterpiece that showcases the power of storytelling in the most heartwarming and inspiring way possible. The film’s ability to tackle heavy subjects with such grace and optimism is a testament to the filmmakers’ skill and sensitivity. The children’s stories are not only compelling but also beautifully illustrated, adding depth and emotion to an already powerful narrative. Liyana is a must-see for anyone who believes in the transformative power of creativity and the resilience of the human spirit. It’s a film that will leave you feeling uplifted, inspired, and grateful for the power of storytelling.
Liyana is like a warm hug from your grandma, if your grandma was a group of orphans in Swaziland telling a story about a brave girl on a quest. The animation is stunning and the children’s stories are both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times, creativity and imagination can be a powerful tool for healing and hope. Plus, who doesn’t love a good hero’s journey? Highly recommend for anyone in need of a little inspiration and a lot of feels.
Production Company(ies)
Backup Media, Big Farm Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
Distributor
Abramorama
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Swaziland
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2018
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 17m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2018 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2019
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, Swazi girl, twin brothers, Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp, Davis Coombe, Sakheni Dlamini, Daniel Junge, Albie Hecht, Susan MacLaury, Abramorama, Gcina Mhlophe, $23.1K, English, 1h 17m, reviewed by Ben Sachs, Karen Han, Kimber Myers, Matt Fagerholm, Ben Kenigsberg, Guy Lodge, Sandie Angulo Chen, Cate Marquis, MaryAnn Johanson, Jennifer Merin, Betsy Bozdech, genre, producer, director, box office performance, MPAA rating, budget, actor, writer
Worldwide gross: $44,045
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $51,831
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 3,082
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 5,652
US/Canada gross: $44,045
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $51,831
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,750
US/Canada opening weekend: $2,160
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $2,542
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,845
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Aaron Kopp – Director
Amanda Kopp – Director
Albie Hecht – Executive Producer
Susan MacLaury – Executive Producer
Davis Coombe – Producer
Director(s)
Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Davis Coombe, Sakheni Dlamini, Daniel Junge, Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (42) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (41) | Rotten (1)
Like Abbas Kiarostami’s documentary ABC Africa (2001), the result is an unexpectedly joyous film about heavy subjects.
April 9, 2020
Ben Sachs
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
If the rule is “show, don’t tell,” then Liyana is a success.
October 22, 2018
Karen Han
L.A. Weekly
TOP CRITIC
The children’s stories alone would have been compelling, but illustrating them in this medium adds even more depth, nuance and emotion.
October 18, 2018
Kimber Myers
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
As tough as the subject matter may get at times, the film is guaranteed to be an uplifting one for viewers of all ages, with its emphasis placed on the joy of its subjects, whether it be in their everyday life or in the midst of their creative process.
October 10, 2018 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matt Fagerholm
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
There are ways in which “Liyana” might seem to put too rosy a spin on its subject matter, but it shows the optimism and self-awareness that can come from creativity.
October 10, 2018
Ben Kenigsberg
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
A film for enterprising, discussion-inclined parents and teachers to share with their own young ones, passing the story on in the process.
October 10, 2018
Guy Lodge
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Liyana is a beautiful film about the way storytelling can empower, heal, and reveal truths.
October 11, 2021
Sandie Angulo Chen
AWFJ Women on Film
In lesser hands, this documentary could have been something simple and too sweet, but Aaron Kopp, who grew up in Swaziland, and his wife Amanda, wisely let the children’ express their darker thoughts as well as the hopeful ones.
October 11, 2021
Cate Marquis
AWFJ Women on Film
Liyana is an absolutely lovely and heartening vision of the power of story to help children cope with trauma, overcome their fears, and find hope in a world that has been too harsh to them.
October 11, 2021
MaryAnn Johanson
AWFJ Women on Film
Movies can matter. Liyana clearly does.
October 11, 2021
Jennifer Merin
AWFJ Women on Film
The two worlds the film captures – the orphans’ African home and Liyana’s gorgeously rendered environment – are ultimately beautiful, despite all of the pain and tragedy they hold…
October 11, 2021
Betsy Bozdech
AWFJ Women on Film
While much of the story is basic Joseph Campbell Hero’s Journey stuff, like any story, it’s made memorable by its details.
August 21, 2021 | Rating: B
Kip Mooney
College Movie Review…
Plot
In “Liyana,” a Swazi girl sets out on a dangerous mission to save her twin brothers, as her story is brought to life through animation and documentary footage.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing to add here about Liyana.
Aaron-Kopp.jpg
85%
I Am Not a Witch (2018)
85%RT Audience Score: 73%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 BAFTA Award
17 wins & 36 nominations total
I Am Not a Witch approaches real-life injustices with a beguiling blend of sorrow, anger, and humor, marking debuting writer-director Rungano Nyoni as an exciting new talent
If you’re looking for a movie that spells everything out for you, then I Am Not A Witch is not your cup of tea. But if you’re up for a visually stunning and thought-provoking film that explores themes of gender, superstition, and identity, then this is the movie for you. Plus, it’s got one of the greatest cinematic images of the year – the witch truck. Who knew a truck could be so bewitching?
Production Company(ies)
Kurosawa Production Co., Sammy Toho Company,
Distributor
Film Movement
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Zambia
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2018
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 30m
-
Language(s):English, Nyanja, Bemba, Tonga, (, Tonga, Islands)
-
Country of origin:France, United Kingdom
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 7, 2018 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 4, 2018
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
I Am Not a Witch, drama, Rungano Nyoni, Juliette Grandmont, Emily Morgan, Maggie Mulubwa, Nancy Murilo, Henry B.J Phiri, Nellie Munamonga, Margaret Spinella, James Manaseh, witch camp, injustice, humor, anger, sorrow, new talent, critic reviews, box office, Film Movement, English, Nyanja, exploitation, oppression, superstition, gender, identity, Zambia, elite, capitalism, ruling class, light tone, profound sadness, captivating story, horror movies, MCU movies, Netflix series, TV shows, streaming movies, director, producer, writer, MPAA rating
Worldwide gross: $182,462
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $214,716
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,917
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 23,415
US/Canada gross: $50,868
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $59,860
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,734
US/Canada opening weekend: $8,252
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $9,711
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,710
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Nancy Murilo – Charity
Henry B.J. Phiri – Mr. Banda
Nellie Munamonga – Officer Josephine
Margaret Spinella – Mama
James Manaseh – Witch Doctor
Director(s)
Rungano Nyoni
Writer(s)
Rungano Nyoni
Producer(s)
Juliette Grandmont, Emily Morgan
Film Festivals
Sundance, Cannes, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 BAFTA Award
17 wins & 36 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (81) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (78) | Rotten (3)
Nyoni teases our assumptions of culpability. She paints portraits of implied mysticism with elegance and precision, slowing time and framing the girl as the center of the film’s universe-not a witch, but a force to be reckoned with nevertheless.
October 30, 2018
Kelley Dong
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
If you like things to be spelled out, this is not the film for you.
October 11, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Danielle White
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Even if writer-director Rungano Nyoni’s film were a lesser achievement – less unsettlingly complicated, less bitterly funny, less bluntly sad – it would still have the witch truck, one of the great cinematic images of this or any other year.
September 28, 2018 | Rating: 3/5
Matthew Lickona
San Diego Reader
TOP CRITIC
Nyoni presents one dazzling set piece after another.
September 27, 2018 | Rating: 4/4
Leah Pickett
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Nyoni, working in English and the local language of Nyanja, has an unforced way of dealing with themes like exploitation, oppression and superstition, showing how easy it can be for nonsense to pass itself off as sense.
September 13, 2018
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
A remarkable, strange and politically potent first film.
September 12, 2018 | Rating: 3/4
Michael O’Sullivan
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
I Am Not a Witch is an arresting exploration of gender, superstition, and identity wrapped up in a magical realist ribbon.
October 11, 2021
Sandie Angulo Chen
AWFJ Women on Film
I Am Not A Witch is a sad and striking film, told with dignity and visual grace…
October 11, 2021
Cate Marquis
AWFJ Women on Film
I Am Not A Witch is the beautifully crafted and profoundly provocative first feature from writer/director Rungaro Nyoni…
October 11, 2021
Jennifer Merin
AWFJ Women on Film
Nyoni has elegantly crafted a tale that points to the exploitation of Zambia’s poor by an elite that shamelessly promotes superstition and backwardness.
February 21, 2021
Joanne Laurier
World Socialist Web Site
Smartly, Nyoni contrasts the polemical thematics of a capitalist, self-sabotaging country’s ruling class with an accessible filmmaking style and a light tone.
August 13, 2020
Luke Gorham
In Review Online
A captivating story with humour and profound sadness. [Full review in Spanish]
July 5, 2020
Ricardo Gallegos
Pólvora…
Plot
Following a banal incident in her local village, 8-year old girl Shula is accused of witchcraft. After a short trial she is found guilty, taken into state custody and exiled to a witch camp. At the camp she takes part in an initiation ceremony where she is shown the rules surrounding her new life as a witch. Like the other residents, Shula is tied to a ribbon which is attached to a coil that perches on a large truck. She is told that should she ever cut the ribbon, she’ll be cursed and transformed into a goat.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No specific tidbit is given about someone in the cast.
Rungano-Nyoni.jpg
85%
Hearts Beat Loud (2018)
85%RT Audience Score: 74%
Awards & Nominations: 3 wins & 10 nominations
Thoroughly sweet, comfortably familiar, and elevated by the chemistry between Nick Offerman and Kiersey Clemons, Hearts Beat Loud offers feel-good father-daughter drama
Hearts Beat Loud is the perfect movie for anyone who’s ever dreamed of starting a band with their dad, or anyone who just loves a good indie flick. Nick Offerman and Kiersey Clemons have amazing chemistry as father and daughter, and their musical performances will have you tapping your toes and humming along. Sure, it’s not the most groundbreaking movie out there, but sometimes you just need a feel-good film to lift your spirits. So grab your guitar and get ready to rock out with Hearts Beat Loud!
Production Company(ies)
Ferndale Films, Granada Television, Hell’s Kitchen Films,
Distributor
Gunpowder & Sky
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for some drug references and brief language
Year of Release
2018
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.00 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 37m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 8, 2018 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 13, 2018
Genre(s)
Music
Keyword(s)
starring Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Ted Danson, Sasha Lane, Blythe Danner, Toni Collette, directed by Brett Haley, written by Brett Haley, Marc Basch, music, father-daughter relationship, record store, Brooklyn, college, jam sessions, internet breakout, musical discovery, PG-13, Gunpowder & Sky, Houston King, Sam Bisbee, Sam Slater, $2.4M box office, reviewed by Paul Byrnes, Robert Daniels, Kambole Campbell, Larushka Ivan-Zadeh, Wendy Ide, Taylor Baker, Kip Mooney, Sydney Morning Herald, 812filmreviews, One Room With A View, Times (UK), Observer (UK), Drink in the Movies, College Movie Review, Battleship Pretension, KSDK News (St Louis), ScreenAnarchy, Nick Offerman as Frank Fisher, Kiersey Clemons as Sam Fisher, Ted Danson as Dave, Sasha Lane as Rose, Blythe Danner as Marianne Fisher, Toni Collette as Leslie, father-daughter drama, feel-good, music genre, streaming, limited release, Marc Basch
Worldwide gross: $2,417,165
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,844,456
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,327
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 310,192
US/Canada gross: $2,386,251
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,808,078
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,953
US/Canada opening weekend: $74,524
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $87,698
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,983
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Kiersey Clemons – Sam Fisher
Ted Danson – Dave
Sasha Lane – Rose
Blythe Danner – Marianne Fisher
Toni Collette – Leslie
Director(s)
Brett Haley
Writer(s)
Brett Haley, Marc Basch
Producer(s)
Houston King, Sam Bisbee, Sam Slater
Film Festivals
Sundance, South by Southwest
Awards & Nominations
3 wins & 10 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (159) | Top Critics (43) | Fresh (146) | Rotten (13)
Offerman holds it all together with a performance as powerful as it is quiet.
September 14, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Paul Byrnes
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
Anyone who’s written a song knows how much heart is poured across the sheet; Hearts Beat Loud actualizes that “overflowing of spontaneous emotion.”
August 27, 2018 | Rating: 3.5/4
Robert Daniels
812filmreviews
TOP CRITIC
Hearts Beat Loud is a light, enjoyable film that washes over you – though perhaps doesn’t linger in the mind long after the credits roll.
August 25, 2018 | Rating: 3/5
Kambole Campbell
One Room With A View
TOP CRITIC
Offerman puts in a subtle turn beneath his humongous ageing-hipster beard and Clemons is deliciously natural as the exasperated Sam.
August 6, 2018 | Rating: 3/5
Larushka Ivan-Zadeh
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A slice of pure cinematic joy with Offerman and Clemons on top form.
August 6, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Hannah Strong
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
It’s remarkable just how grating this perkily inoffensive premise manages to be.
August 6, 2018 | Rating: 2/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
…a lesser Band-Aid, that every fan of Eighth Grade should see…
August 22, 2021 | Rating: 66/100
Taylor Baker
Drink in the Movies
When Sam and Frank are jamming together, the movie soars.
August 21, 2021 | Rating: B+
Kip Mooney
College Movie Review
Hearts Beat Loud is really a lovely film.
December 10, 2020
Sarah Brinks
Battleship Pretension
Hearts Beat Loud is one of the warmest films I’ve seen in a long time and one of the best of 2018.
November 10, 2020
Dan Buffa
KSDK News (St. Louis)
An intimate and comfortingly familiar tale that hits the right notes, just so long as you can live with a low-key ditty and don’t expect any sweeping crescendo.
August 3, 2020 | Rating: 3/5
Tom Kiesecoms
ScreenAnarchy
[S]ome moments overvalue sweetness instead of substance. Be that as it may, I cared. I cared about these characters, and I cared about their journey.
July 24, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5
Matt Cipolla
Film Monthly…
Plot
In the hip Brooklyn neighborhood of Red Hook, single dad and record store owner Frank is preparing to send his hard-working daughter Sam off to college while being forced to close his vintage shop. Hoping to stay connected through their shared musical passions, Frank urges Sam to turn their weekly jam sessions into a father-daughter live act. After their first song becomes an internet breakout, the two embark on a journey of love, growing up and musical discovery.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nick Offerman’s performance as Frank Fisher is “powerful as it is quiet,” according to one critic review on Fresh Kernels.
Brett-Haley.jpg
85%
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
85%RT Audience Score: 77%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 3 Oscars
7 wins & 41 nominations total
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs avoids anthology pitfalls with a consistent collection tied together by the Coen brothers’ signature blend of dark drama and black humor
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get. Some critics found it smug and lacking in originality, while others praised its unique blend of comedy and dread. Personally, I thought it was a fun and entertaining ride through the Wild West, with each story offering something different. Sure, it may not reinvent the genre, but it’s a polished and well-crafted tribute to classic Westerns. Plus, who doesn’t love a good Coen brothers film?
Production Company(ies)
Apple Original Films, Interscope Films, Lighthouse Management & Media,
Distributor
Netflix
Release Type
Streaming, Streaming (Netflix), Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for some strong violence
Year of Release
2018
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 12m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 2018 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 16, 2018
Genre(s)
Western
Keyword(s)
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Western, anthology, Coen brothers, dark drama, black humor, Tim Blake Nelson, Willie Watson, David Krumholtz, James Franco, Stephen Root, Ralph Ineson, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle, R-rated, Netflix, Dolby Digital, Flat (1.85:1), box office, budget, critic reviews, producer names, MPAA rating, Old West, post-Civil War, short films, vignettes, tragicomic, moral themes, violence, death, bank robbery, hangings, con-artist, amputee, prospector, wagon train, supernatural twist, meaninglessness of life, dark drama
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Willie Watson – The Kid (Segment “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”)
David Krumholtz – Frenchman in Saloon (Segment “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”)
James Franco – Cowboy (Segment “Near Algodones”)
Stephen Root – Teller (Segment “Near Algodones”)
Ralph Ineson – The Man in Black (Segment “Near Algodones”)
Joel Coen – Director, Producer, Writer
Ethan Coen – Director, Producer, Writer
Megan Ellison – Producer
Sue Naegle – Producer
Director(s)
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Writer(s)
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Producer(s)
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle
Film Festivals
Venice
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 3 Oscars
7 wins & 41 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (235) | Top Critics (65) | Fresh (210) | Rotten (25)
As with the Coens’ oeuvre on the whole, the various stories are unified by an impressive sense of craft and a lamentable sense of smugness.
February 24, 2020
Ben Sachs
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
It’s disappointing that the Coens don’t even try to upend any classic Western clichés in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs – they apply some grim humor to various situations, but that’s about it.
February 7, 2019
Roxana Hadadi
Pajiba
TOP CRITIC
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs feels like the Coen brothers’ B-sides compilation… . That smugness to which the Coens are susceptible is in plentiful supply here.
January 26, 2019
Ryan Gilbey
New Statesman
TOP CRITIC
Though the stories are individually captivating and very much worth the price of admission-see the film on a big screen if you can-they fit together awkwardly.
December 19, 2018
Christopher Orr
The Atlantic
TOP CRITIC
… an unabashedly bleak yet oddly hopeful and entertaining meditation on the Coens’ perennial preoccupations – the folly of human nature and death.
December 4, 2018 | Rating: 4.5/5
Adam Kempenaar
Filmspotting
TOP CRITIC
The anthology format gives the Coens room to tinker with new tones and forms, while delivering their unique blend of comedy and dread.
December 3, 2018
Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
It’s far more existential and even primal in the way the film circles around, as most Coen films do, to the simple and unforgiving notion that the meanings people assign to their lives rarely matter.
March 4, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Episode 20: When Jeff Tried To Save The World / Creed II / The Ballad of Buster Scruggs / The World Is Yours / Burning
September 3, 2021 | Rating: 68/100
Taylor Baker
Drink in the Movies
Highs, lows, and everything in between, slapped between two fraying book covers
July 2, 2021
Jason Adams
The Film Experience
It’s great to get new Coen Brothers material in whatever form it takes, but here’s hoping their next project is an honest-to-goodness feature film designed to play in theaters, where their work belongs.
April 29, 2021
Alex Bentley
CultureMap
[The Coen brothers] haven’t reinvented a genre, but they’ve certainly polished it up somethin’ purrtty.
March 25, 2021 | Rating: 4.5/5
Tori Brazier
Flickering Myth
This is not satire, for the most part, aimed at those who rule, manipulate and exploit Americans, but at those who are ruled, manipulated and exploited in America.
February 11, 2021
David Walsh
World Socialist Web Site…
Plot
Six tales of life and violence in the Old West, following a singing gunslinger, a bank robber, a traveling impresario, an elderly prospector, a wagon train, and a perverse pair of bounty hunters.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs features an all-star cast including Tim Blake Nelson, James Franco, and Liam Neeson.
Joel-Coen.jpg
85%
Katyn (2009)
85%RT Audience Score: 75%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Masterfully crafted by an experienced directorial hand, Katyn is a powerful, personal depiction of wartime tragedy
Katyn is a movie that will make you feel like you’re back in history class, but with better visuals. While some critics found it lacking in emotional impact, I found it to be a great tribute to the victims of the Katyn massacre. Director Andrzej Wajda’s passion for the subject matter is evident in every shot, and the film’s concise and elegant storytelling makes it a must-watch for anyone interested in Polish history. Plus, it’s a great way to impress your friends with your knowledge of a lesser-known historical event.
Production Company(ies)
Chernin Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Turnpike Films,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
UK
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2018
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:NA
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Aug 11, 2009
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
Katyn, drama, 2h 1m, starring Joachim Paul Assböck, Waldemar Barwiński, Stanisława Celińska, Andrzej Chyra, Magdalena Cielecka, Maja Ostaszewska, directed by Andrzej Wajda, written by Andrzej Mularczyk and Andrzej Wajda, box office gross of $114.8K, reviewed by Ty Burr, Hank Sartin, Joshua Rothkopf, Roger Ebert, James Adams, Mick LaSalle, David Harris, Mattie Lucas, Anne Applebaum, Dennis Schwartz, Dan Lybarger, Sean Axmaker, genre drama, Polish language, produced by Michal Kwiecinski, MPAA rating not specified, World War II, Soviet soldiers, mass execution, captured Polish officers, Lt Jerzy, Anna, Germans, propaganda, wartime tragedy
Worldwide gross: $3,058
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,599
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 3,152
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 392
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Waldemar Barwiński – Polish Officer
Stanisława Celińska – Stasia
Andrzej Chyra – Jerzy
Magdalena Cielecka – Agnieszka
Maja Ostaszewska – Anna
Director(s)
Andrzej Wajda
Writer(s)
Andrzej Mularczyk, Andrzej Wajda
Producer(s)
Michal Kwiecinski
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (68) | Top Critics (34) | Fresh (62) | Rotten (6)
November 24, 2011 | Rating: 3/4
Ty Burr
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
November 18, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Hank Sartin
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
November 17, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Joshua Rothkopf
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
[Director] Wajda has brought some small measure of rest to their names, to Poland, and to history.
July 23, 2009 | Rating: 3.5/4
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
Katyn is remarkably concise and (if one may say this about a cinematic commemoration of mass murder) elegant.
July 17, 2009 | Rating: 4/4
James Adams
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
Wajda’s intensity and passion, as well as his intelligence and craft, are unmistakable from the very first sequence. Virtually from the first shot.
June 19, 2009 | Rating: 4/4
Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Unfortunately, the history behind the film is more engaging than the movie itself.
October 9, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/5
David Harris
Spectrum Culture
Far too weak structurally to have the emotional impact it should.
July 7, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/4
Mattie Lucas
From the Front Row
Katyn is deliberately intended to inspire patriotism, in the most positive sense of the word.
August 23, 2018
Anne Applebaum
The New York Review of Books
This was the film Wajda wanted to make all his life.
January 31, 2014 | Rating: B+
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
Oscar-winning Polish writer/director Andrzej Wajda is now 83 years old. But he thankfully hasn’t lost his ability to outrage viewers for all the right reasons.
October 2, 2009 | Rating: 4/5
Dan Lybarger
eFilmCritic.com
Andrjez Wajda, whose father was one of the officers killed in Katyn, uses the event to explore some of the unhealed wounds suffered by the Poles in World War II.
August 13, 2009
Sean Axmaker
Seanax.com…
Plot
During World War II, a Polish officer named Lt. Jerzy chooses to stay behind with his wife Anna as the Germans and Soviets engage in brutal warfare, but as the Germans round up Jerzy and other officers, propaganda efforts cover up the truth about the Soviet soldiers’ shocking brutality in the powerful and personal drama, Katyn.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing to add here about Katyn.
Andrzej-Wajda.jpg
85%
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
85%RT Audience Score: 76%
Awards & Nominations: NA
With a terrific cast and a surfeit of visual razzle dazzle, Crazy Rich Asians takes a satisfying step forward for screen representation while deftly drawing inspiration from the classic — and still effective — rom-com formula
Crazy Rich Asians is the perfect movie to watch when you want to escape reality and indulge in some opulence. Sure, it may not be the most accurate representation of Southeast Asia, but who cares when you’re drooling over the stunning fashion and luxurious settings? Plus, Michelle Yeoh’s icy performance as the mother-in-law is worth the price of admission alone. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride.
Production Company(ies)
Warner Bros., Star Thrower Entertainment, Westbrook Studios,
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2018
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:2h 0m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 15, 2018 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 20, 2018
Genre(s)
Comedy/Romance
Keyword(s)
starring Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, Sonoya Mizuno, Chris Pang, Jimmy O Yang, Ronny Chieng, Nico Santos, Remy Hii, Jing Lusi, Carmen Soo, Fiona Xie, Pierre Png, Tan Kheng Hua, Harry Shum Jr., directed by Jon M Chu, written by Peter Chiarelli, Adele Lim, produced by Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, John Penotti, comedy, romance, box office performance, budget, reviewed by critics, PG-13, Warner Bros Pictures, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS, Scope (2.35:1), Rachel Chu, Nick Young, Singapore, wealthy family, socialites, mother-in-law, Asian representation, rom-com formula
Worldwide gross: $238,532,921
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: $174,532,921
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Henry Golding – Nick Young
Michelle Yeoh – Eleanor Young
Gemma Chan – Astrid Young Teo
Lisa Lu – Ah Ma
Awkwafina – Peik Lin Goh
Director – Jon M. Chu
Producers – Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, John Penotti
Writers – Peter Chiarelli, Adele Lim
Director(s)
Jon M. Chu
Writer(s)
Peter Chiarelli, Adele Lim
Producer(s)
Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, John Penotti
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (369) | Top Critics (79) | Fresh (334) | Rotten (35)
Crazy Rich Asians represents people and places with so little thought that it upholds a painful, brutal hegemony that’s painfully apparent to people who live in Southeast Asia, where the film is actually set.
March 11, 2021
Li Sian Goh
Bitch Media
TOP CRITIC
A binge-able series might have been a better way to go, since the script squeezes a sprawling supporting cast into boisterous caricatures and transforms an intricate flow chart of status among Singapore’s superrich into a flood of affectations.
September 27, 2018
Michael Sragow
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Aside from these important issues of representation and diversity, Crazy Rich Asians marks a welcome return for the funny, giddy, likeable, glamorous Hollywood romcom.
September 18, 2018 | Rating: 3/5
Tara Brady
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
Somewhere between My Big Fat Greek Wedding and a Jane Austen novel: meticulous and hilariously alert to social structures, family dynamics and money, with a plucky underdog heroine.
September 15, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Simran Hans
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Michelle Yeoh takes the acting honours as the heroine’s steely prospective mother-in-law.
September 15, 2018
Jake Wilson
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
Michelle Yoh is terrific not least because… you have [her] character who is very not funny in a way which is kind of impressive in a comedy.
September 14, 2018
Mark Kermode
Kermode & Mayo’s Film Review
TOP CRITIC
That seldom experienced rom-com that proves crowd-pleasing and accessible without demeaning itself.
March 11, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Films like Crazy Rich Asians don’t come around a lot, but for goodness sake, let’s see more of them.
February 11, 2022
Cory Woodroof
Williamson Home Page
The opulence of Crazy Rich Asians makes it different from other movies, but it’s the solid and straightforward storytelling that makes it great.
August 30, 2021
Alex Bentley
CultureMap
Episode 7: Globalism
August 28, 2021 | Rating: 50/100
Taylor Baker
Drink in the Movies
It ties itself to its theme very well: the idea that relationships are affected by differences in social class…how the stereotypical Western mindset of individuality clashes with the more Eastern mindset of the community.
August 17, 2021 | Rating: 9/10
Nicholas Oon
Maximum Hype (YouTube)
A good rom-com should sustain that sensation of blissful ignorance from credits to credits, and Crazy Rich Asians is a great rom-com, full of bubbles and bliss.
July 6, 2021
Jason Adams
My New Plaid Pants…
Plot
Rachel Chu accompanies her boyfriend to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore, only to discover that he comes from an extremely wealthy family and must navigate jealous socialites and his disapproving mother in Crazy Rich Asians.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Michelle Yeoh leaves a deep impression on every scene she is in, reflecting both her acting skill and the intimidating effect of her character.
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