Good and evil are inextricably entwined in STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI. It makes for a pleasing metaphysical subtext to a film with spectacular action sequences, pointed references to the political economics of the class struggle, and a character in Benicio Del Toro whose nihilism carries with it a whiff of Zen philosophy at its… Read More »
NED RIFLE Completes the Cycle
Hal Hartley is the master of astringent whimsy and scathingly erudite satire. No better examples of his talents are to be found than HENRY FOOL (1997) and its follow-up, FAY GRIM (2007). Both deal with a character, Henry (Robert John Burke), who may or may not be the devil inserting himself into the desperately dull… Read More »
Barrie Osborne Welcomes LORD OF THE RINGS – RETURN OF THE KING
When I got word that I’d be talking with producer Barrie Osborne, I didn’t have to think twice about the first thing I wanted to ask him. Taking on the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy was something that no one had done before, so what prepares you for it? Then, of course, when we could expect… Read More »
Deepa Mehta Sails WATER
When I talked with Deepa Mehta on March 20, 2006, it was the third time I’d had the chance to interview this remarkable filmmaker. A magnet and a catalyst for controversy, she makes films that challenge not just society in her native India, but also the ones elsewhere that tolerate intolerance in the name of tradition. WATER, the third… Read More »