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Author Archives: Ross Birks
Climates (2006)
Before Ceylan ascended to God-like status with Once Upon a Time in Anatolia and Winter Sleep (in my opinion at least) he was a filmmaker with a relatively small canvas. Like Uzak before it, Climates is focused on two people … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews
Tagged Climates, Ebru Ceylan, Nuri Bilge Ceylan
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Winter Sleep (2014)
An ambitious and novelistic investigation of the human psyche, Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s Palme d’Or winning epic Winter Sleep is a film I’ve thought about every day since seeing it six days ago. At a whopping 196 minutes this is easily … Continue reading
Nymphomaniac (2013)
Upon rewatching Nymphomaniac in its extended Director’s Cut form I found myself appreciating it a lot more. The differences aren’t glaringly obvious at first but the whole thing does feel more comprehensive and complete. This is what Lars von Trier … Continue reading
Linklater Discovers Digital: Tape (2001)
I’ve always been fond of this little-seen Linklater B-side. A bunch of characters talking in a room for 90 minutes could be the synopsis for any number of Linklater’s movies yet Tape is unquestionably the darkest and most sinister to … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews, Rewatch
Tagged Ethan Hawke, Richard Linklater, Robert Sean Leonard, Tape, Uma Thurman
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Matchstick Men (2003)
“Have you ever been dragged to the sidewalk and beaten until you PIIIISSSSSSEDDDDDD BLOOOOOOOODDD!?!?!” Ridley in mega-underrated mode and probably his most re-watchable film by some margin. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve gone back to it. Such an … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews, Rewatch
Tagged Alison Lohman, Hans Zimmer, Matchstick Men, Nicolas Cage, Ridley Scott, Sam Rockwell
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The Best Film Made In My Lifetime? Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood (2007)
I’ve seen There Will Be Blood close to twenty times since it was released in 2007. I’ve had a few years off before this revisit yet it remains the most monolithic American movie made in my lifetime. It begins Paul … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews, Rewatch
Tagged Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
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24 Hour Party People (2002)
“But my epitaph wiII be…that I…never, Iiterally nor metaphoricaIIy… soId out. I protected myseIf from ever having to have…the diIemma of having to seII out…by having nothing to seII out.” – Tony Wilson A multi-format, multimedia, practically interactive and kaleidoscopic … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews, Rewatch
Tagged 24 Hour Party People, Michael Winterbottom, Steve Coogan
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Secretary (2002)
Secretary is a real oddity. But a good oddity. Perverse and sincere in equal measure, it is refreshing in the way it presents a sadomasochistic relationship very frankly and without shock or “hot-topic” dashings. This is Maggie Gyllenhaal’s breakout performance … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews
Tagged James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Secretary
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Crimson Peak (2015)
Guillermo del Toro builds an aesthetic dreamhouse that seems to be in a constant nightmare. From the faces that build up the cast to the smallest stitch in every costume, the design of Crimson Peak is so constant; it’s impeccable … Continue reading
The Mutilator (1984)
If you watch the extensive special features accompanying Arrow video’s recent release of The Mutilator, one thing is clear: Buddy Cooper seems like a really, really nice guy. This film is the result of him fulfilling a lifelong dream to … Continue reading
Posted in Arrow Films, Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews
Tagged Buddy Cooper, The Mutilator
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"This Film Should Be Played Loud" 