The documentary has an interview with a New York Times art critic who discusses modern (or abstract) art and the reasons behind the sometimes apparently insane valuations for what looks like some paint splashed on a canvas. Part of his explanation is that the story behind the artwork contributes to the value. What has the artist gone through, for example? In Marlas's case part of the value is due to the fact of her young age and the apparent sophistication of the w

Carvel turned in an exceedingly exuberant performance during one of the more enjoyable miniseries on TV in 2015. His Jonathan Strange held his own against Eddie Marsan's Mr. Norrell, to bring the dynamic duo of Susanna Clarke's weighty tome to life. The show came and went without much recognition, but Carvel's lively performance deserves a bit of the spotlight h

This is the sort of pick you make with your gut. Ansari doesn't necessarily deliver the same kind of performance in Master of None as his fellow nominees do in their series, but it gets big points for being as honest and as heartfelt as it is. Besides, if anyone is going to deliver an unforgettable speech after winning a Golden Globe, it's Ansari. Maybe he could take his dad up on stage with

If you missed our live-chat for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards this evening, don't fret, we have the winners and a brief recap of the ceremony for you. In short, The Hurt Locker took home the big categories, beating out Avatar and the predictable choices won for the four acting categor

The Signal is a 2007 horror film directed by David Bruckner, Dan Bush, and blog Jacob Gentry. The film follows the inhabitants of the city of Terminus as they grapple with a mysterious broadcast signal that turns people into violent aggressors. The story is divided into three interconnected parts, each showcasing different perspectives on the ensuing ch

If Mr. Robot wins Best Drama, there's a good chance its star will also be recognized. It makes sense that the two would go together. And besides, Malek took on a complicated, potentially disastrous role as the troubled Elliot and turned it into an affecting and exciting example of just how fascinating an unreliable narrator can be when placed in the hands of such a talented perfor

The film opens with Nancy discussing her thoughts on what happens after you die with another woman. At this point it sounds like she is optimistic about the afterlife while her friend is very negative and keeps bringing up counterpoints to make it sound like she could be somehow trapped in some way after death. As it turns out, the friend turns out to be a therapist who is trying to convince Nancy that death is not an escape or free

Downloading Nancy is a psychological drama that follows the story of Nancy Stockwell, a troubled woman who forms a complex bond with a man she meets on the internet. As their relationship deepens, Nancy's dark past and desires are revealed, leading to a downward spiral of obsession and destruct

Like many films shown at Sundance this year, Towelhead combined different styles (humor and drama), but does it more successfully than most. It's the story of a thirteen year old girl who is half Lebanese / half WASP whose physical development is quite ahead of her age. Towelhead (aka Nothing is Private) was written, directed and produced by Alan Ball , the same fellow who wrote the screenplay for the similarly themed American Beauty a few years

Apparently she is a bit folllicaly overdeveloped and is being teased by the girls at school. Later, when her mother (played by Maria Bello ) discovers that Jasira shaved and that HER boyfriend helped, she becomes outraged and sends Jasira off to live with her father in Texas. Her mother stupidly blames her for being overdeveloped and having breasts at 13 instead of placing the blame on her creepy boyfri

The Signal was one of my favorite films from those I had the opportunity to watch and review at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. As a longtime horror movie fan (much more of older stuff than what's come out recently), it was great on many levels and fortunately you'll be getting the opportunity to see it soon as it was picked up for theatrical distribut

My Kid Could Paint That is a documentary directed by Amir Bar-Lev, exploring the story of Marla Olmstead, a 4-year-old abstract painter whose work garnered international attention and considerable market value. The film examines the ensuing media frenzy, accusations of fraud, and the ethics of exploiting a child prodigy for commercial gain, while questioning the authenticity and value of modern

When we meet her father (played wonderfully by Peter Macdissi ) we immediately get a sense of how detached and odd he is. When she gets off the plane, after not having seen him for who knows how long, the first thing he says is "Your plane was late." Jasira, not knowing how to respond to that says "I'm sorry" - to which he replies "Why? Where you flying the pla