Movie and TV show reviews

Kicking off with a robust and multinational lineup, the opening slot goes to “The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent,” a Croatian short film that won the Palme d’Or at Cannes last year. This gripping tale takes place on a train journeying through Bosnia in 1993, with director Nebojša Slijepčević basing his fact-inspired thriller around the tense and unsettling moment when armed men board the train to segregate Muslim passengers. The narrative centers on an ordinary man named Dragan (played by Goran Bogdan), who, despite the ominous atmosphere, realizes the injustice unfolding. However, the intimidating gun-wielding officer (portrayed by Alexis Manenti) is so terrifying that Dragan hesitates to act heroically. As viewers, we find ourselves witnessing and sharing the shame of the subsequent events. The film is a tribute to Tomo Buzov, a veteran who paid a heavy price for defying the soldiers, serving as an inspiration during times when standing up against injustice becomes a moral necessity.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I couldn’t help but notice the sudden absence of Harrison Ford from the Oscars on Saturday. According to Entertainment Weekly, who broke the news first, his unexpected departure was due to a shingles diagnosis received on Friday. The Mayo Clinic explains that shingles is an incurable viral infection, not life-threatening, but it can be quite uncomfortable, characterized by a painful rash that appears as a single stripe of blisters wrapping around either the left or right side of one’s torso.

Max Dagan” is a drama that revolves around characters who are imperfect and have their own share of flaws and baggage. It’s a tale about making regrettable decisions and facing the repercussions, but it also showcases resilience in the face of adversity. It highlights the journey towards self-improvement and forgiveness for those who have hurt you. However, Weisman doesn’t sugarcoat the struggles; they can often feel insurmountable. This is a common theme among the characters in “Max Dagan,” as many grapple with past mistakes and their consequences.

Once “Anora” won those two awards, its film seemed destined for success. It immediately became the clear and undeniable frontrunner for the best picture category. A week later, when the Writers Guild awarded it the best original screenplay prize, that was just the final touch. What’s peculiar about this shift in odds is that it only solidified “Anora” in the position of front-runner that many had predicted it would hold from the start.

Once Anora won two awards, its movie became a sure winner for best picture. When it also won the Writers Guild’s best original screenplay award a week later, it was just the finishing touch. It’s strange that this series of wins only confirmed what many had thought all along – that Anora would be the front-runner from the start.

Since 1962, the Women in Film organization has consistently fought for gender equality, offering aid during pivotal moments such as the #MeToo movement, the coronavirus pandemic, labor union disputes, and most recently, the destructive wildfire crises.

The movie titled “Last Breath” garnered $3 million during its debut on Friday and previews at 3,018 theaters. This survival thriller, based on a true deep-sea rescue operation, is estimated to bring in $7.3 million during its initial release. Alex Parkinson, who also adapted it from his 2019 documentary of the same name, directs a star-studded cast that includes Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, and Finn Cole. Focus Features secured distribution rights for the film last summer.

Here are a few impressions out of the eight films included in the block…

This month, I can’t wait to catch Sean Baker’s “Anora” on Hulu! It’s been making waves after winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival last May, and it’s not the only award-winning gem arriving on streaming platforms. For instance, “Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat,” a Best Documentary nominee, can be found on the Kino Film Collection, while the four-time Oscar nominee “Nosferatu” is streaming on Peacock. Although they missed out on Oscars this year, don’t miss “Queer,” “Heretic,” and “The Outrun” – all favorites of awards season and now available on various streaming platforms for your viewing pleasure!

The movie was recently unveiled to potential buyers during the European Film Market last month, by CAA Media Finance and FilmNation. Now, Netflix is reportedly finalizing a global deal worth approximately $55 million – one of the biggest deals to come out of EFM ever.

The Hulu documentary delves into the events of October 21, 2021, and the aftermath surrounding Alec Baldwin, who accidentally discharged a prop gun, and the subsequent case. In this documentary, Rachel Mason, a close friend and fellow director of Hutchins, speaks openly about the tragedy and the heartbreaking experience of losing a dear friend and collaborator.