You've no doubt heard about my meticulous (albeit high-strung and some-would-say-pointless) documenting of every film I've watched since the summer of 2005. If you haven't, you can bring yourself quickly up to speed here and here, where you can read the 2005 and 2006 lists, respectively. 2013 was no exception and today I bring you … Continue reading Best Films of 2013
Because You Cannes Cannes Cannes
Sunshine tickling the celebrity yachts in the French Riviera, all manner of parties and to-dos at night, open air screenings at the Cinéma de la Plage, and a feast of cinema (by invitation only, of course) unlike any other gracing the hallowed The Grand Théâtre Lumière: welcome to the annual Cannes Film Festival. For the … Continue reading Because You Cannes Cannes Cannes
Derek
Ever since stumbling upon The Office (UK) and Extras, I have been quite the admirer of most things Ricky Gervais. Much has been written about the splendor of these television shows, so I shall refrain from clogging up the air waves with my own brand of gushing here. Some time back, I heard that Mr. … Continue reading Derek
And the Oscar Goes to…
Well, it's Oscar season and yours truly has decided to weigh in on the nominees. Not that the Oscars are a particular favourite of mine (Cannes being my film festival holy grail for all its agony and ecstasy), but I can't seem to resist joining the hubbub. Below, I have selected a few of my … Continue reading And the Oscar Goes to…
A Calendar of Films: Part Two (2006)
To date, I have only had one truly life-changing film experience. Undoubtedly, cinema has offered me plenty of magical, moving, and memorable occasions the deposits of which have only burrowed deeper over time - but what I am speaking of is something that evokes a little more violence. You see, things were processing quite happily … Continue reading A Calendar of Films: Part Two (2006)
A Calendar of Films: Part One (2005)
Ever since the summer of 2005, I have kept a record of every film I have watched, whether it be in the cinema or on DVD. It was a class I took that year - in my last semester of university - called "Cinema" that did the trick, ushering me from Hollywood fluff (which I … Continue reading A Calendar of Films: Part One (2005)
Best of 2012
Though I'm just as much a sucker as the next guy when it comes to end-of-the-year lists (see below), I would like to engage in a few moments of reflection as a means of taking stock of the past year. After all, Socrates said that "The unexamined life is not worth living" and seeing as … Continue reading Best of 2012
Why You Shouldn’t See Sarah’s Key
In a truly bold (aka lazy) move, below I re-publish (aka copy and paste) a piece I wrote for HK Magazine last year. I had a lovely time hanging out with the editorial team at the magazine, and to be honest having to watch this film was perhaps the only lowlight of my entire experience. … Continue reading Why You Shouldn’t See Sarah’s Key
In Treatment: The Fairest Mirror of Them All
I wrote about the following story in another article, but I just can't resist reiterating it here (with some embellishment). I once heard a rumor (or started one) about a man who was convinced he was dead. Despite the arguments of his friends and colleagues to the contrary, he remained steadfast in his conviction. Eventually, … Continue reading In Treatment: The Fairest Mirror of Them All
Cannes Do
1947 was a special year which forever altered the trajectory of human history. India gained its independence from Britain, Arnold Schwarzenegger was born, and the Festival du Film de Cannes was properly inaugurated a year after its founding. To be honest, it's a wonder that the world was turning prior to '47. Cannes has since … Continue reading Cannes Do
Writing Is Prayer 