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Image Source: Amazon When Robert Evans passed away in October 2019, Hollywood said goodbye to one of its most captivating and influential figures. Evans was a trailblazer, a man who defied conventions and blazed his own path to the top of the film industry. His evolution from a clothing retailer to a legendary film producer showcased his relentless ambition, unshakable confidence, and ability to reinvent himself. Evans legacy in cinema is unmatched. As the head of Paramount Pictures, he championed some of the most iconic films of all time. Classics like The Godfather (Parts I and II), Chinatown, Harold and Maude, and Love Story became cultural cornerstones, with Evans vision driving Paramount into a new golden era. But his influence wasn’t confined to the movies themselves—Evans left an undeniable mark on Hollywood’s culture. His larger-than-life personality inspired memorable fictional characters, such as Dustin Hoffman’s manipulative producer in Wag the Dog,...

Between the Temples.On a cold day in Rhinebeck, New York, Ben Gottlieb, the cantor of the local synagogue, walks into a Catholic church. Anxious, and recently widowed, Ben has come to talk about the afterlife. “Yeah, we don’t have Heaven or Hell,” he explains to the priest, pausing sheepishly, “we just have, you know, Upstate New York.” Ben is wondering whether, if he starts believing in heaven, he might be able to “grandfather” his late wife in. “I think that’s more of a Mormon thing,” the priest replies.On a mild day in Eastern Poland, David chases his cousin Benji through a Pkp Intercity train—they haven’t bought tickets. Anxious, and recently bereaved, they have come to Poland on a Holocaust memorial tour, paid for by an allotted sum in their grandmother’s will. “We shouldn’t have to pay for train tickets in Poland—this is our country,...

There have been many stories about Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean bonding during the production of George Stevens’ epic “Giant” in Marfa, Texas, in 1955. Though not exactly a “Harold & Maude” scenario, the 24-year-old Dean also developed a strong friendship with Edna Ferber, the diminutive Pulitzer Prize-winning author of such classic novels as “So Big,” “Showboat,” “Cimarron,” and “Giant,” who turned 70 that summer in Marfa. Ferber, who never married, was seen sitting on the back of Dean’s motorcycle as they would take rides during breaks. And she even tried her hand at twirling the lasso.

Author Julie Gilbert, Ferber’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated grand nice and biographer (“Ferber: The Biography of Edna Ferber and Her Circle”), doesn’t think the two were in love. “He was very young,” said Gilbert, who writes about her great aunt and the making of the Oscar-winning film in her latest book “Giant Love” set for a Dec.

"Re-visiting Fight Club is like a time machine and makes me remember details of my life that I would have otherwise have forgotten. I remember being with David Fincher during the early edit of the film. One night we decided to take a break and watch “Harold and Maude”. Halfway through Fincher said, 'This film is kind of like Fight Club.' That memory would have been lost had I not revisited the film."...

Australian stop-motion animator Adam Elliot, who is showing his second stop-motion animation feature aimed at adults, “Memoir of a Snail” at Telluride and Toronto, hasn’t been diagnosed with Ocd, “but I am probably at the very tip of it,” he told IndieWire on Zoom. “I love the number nine.” Thirty years ago, when he was at film school, he thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to make a trilogy of trilogies? I’ve always loved a triptych of paintings, the number three? And I thought, ‘I’ll do three short shorts, three long shorts, and three features.’ I never thought it would happen. But I’m getting close.”

So far, he has completed seven of the nine films, with two left, including one feature. Elliot, like Guillermo del Toro, is proving that animated films do not have to only be aimed at children. Many of his films deal with outsiders,...

With his long hair, sunglasses and bellbottoms, Hal Ashby was the epitome of the 1970s flower child, even though he was a decade older than most of the filmmakers working at the time. Though his flame burned brightly and briefly, he left behind a series of classics that signified the nose-thumbing, countercultural attitude of the era, with a bit of humanism and heart thrown in for good measure. Let’s take a look back at all 12 of his films, ranked worst to best.

Born on September 2, 1929 in Utah, Ashby ambled around before becoming an apprentice editor for Robert Swink, working for Hollywood legends William Wyler and George Stevens. He moved up the ranks to become an editor for Norman Jewison, with whom he shared a fraternal and professional relationship. They cut five films together, including “The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!” (1966), which earned him his first Oscar nomination,...

Jason Schwartzman as Ben and Carol Kane as Carla, in Nathan Silver’s dark humor yet sweet Jewish comedy Between The Temples. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Jason Schwartzman plays a cantor who has lost his singing voice, his wife and maybe even hope, whose life is changed when his grade-school music teacher, played by Carol Kane, becomes his adult bat mitzvah student, in Nathan Silver’s offbeat, darkly funny but sweet Jewish comedy Between The Temples.

After the sudden death of his wife, Ben Gottlieb (Jason Schwartzman) has lost his singing voice, his enjoyment of life, and even, maybe, his faith. Unable to bear living in the house he shared with his late wife Ruth, Ben now lives with his doting artist mother Meira (Caroline Aaron) and his overeager, real estate agent stepmother Judith (Dolly de Leon) in the basement of their big home. Rabbi Bruce (Robert Smigel), still...

The 20th anniversary HollyShorts Film Festival is set to honor a quartet of major Hollywood talents, from industry veterans to an up-and-coming star.

Actor Tom Skeritt, actor-director Alden Ehrenreich, director Catherine Hardwicke, and young actress Lexi Underwood will receive laurels at the prestigious Oscar-qualifying festival, which runs from August 8-18.

HollyShorts will present its Luminary Award to Ehrenreich in recognition of his work in front of and behind the camera. Ehrenreich’s directorial debut, Shadow Brother Sunday, screened last year at HollyShorts following its world premiere at Tribeca Festival.

‘Shadow Brother Sunday’

“I was very flattered to have my film Shadow Brother Sunday included in this wonderful festival last year and had a great time meeting all those involved,” Ehrenreich said in a statement. “I am even more flattered – flattered times two – to be chosen to receive this special honor. I am proud to see the Los Angeles film community gather and support each other.

Zach Braff never thought he’d beat out Quentin Tarantino at any awards show, let alone the Grammys.

Braff recalled to The Ringer that Tarantino congratulated him in a classically subversive way after the “Garden State” soundtrack won the award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media over Tarantino’s “Kill Bill: Vol. 2.”

“I was up against Quentin Tarantino. I certainly didn’t think there would ever be a chance where I would beat Quentin Tarantino at anything,” Braff said. “My father wanted to come, and I was like, ‘Dad, there’s no way I’m gonna win a Grammy. Tarantino is winning the Grammy, and you’re wasting your trip from Jersey out here.’ And then we fucking won! I couldn’t believe it.”

Braff continued, “Tarantino jokingly said, ‘You stole my fucking Grammy, man,’ and then gave me a big smile and a hug. He was super sweet and supportive.

Crossing, the fourth feature film from Swedish filmmaker Levan Akin (And Then We Danced), opens with white serif text that reads: “Both Georgian and Turkish are gender-neutral languages: they make no distinction of grammatical gender.” This linguistic factoid becomes instantly relevant as the film focuses on one Georgian woman’s...

When Shelley Duvall was cast to play Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” (1980), the film she would become most famous for, it was overwhelmingly the most mainstream movie she’d ever done — but more to the point, it was the most mainstream character. Duvall, who died July 11 at 75, had spent the better part of a decade playing vibrant kooks and eccentrics in Robert Altman movies. She had also rocked that cameo in “Annie Hall” as a Rolling Stone reporter who dates Alvy Singer and says, “Sex with you is really a Kafkaesque experience.”

But in “The Shining,” Duvall, with her feather voice and beaming doll-like features, was suddenly called on to incarnate the essence of normality. And she did it as if born to it. She played Wendy in long black lank hair, toning down her natural Texas drawl to something that sounded more neutral and Midwestern. The...

Movies about loneliness offer a powerful reflection on human nature, exploring themes of connection, alienation, and self-realization. Characters in these films often navigate urban loneliness, seek friendship, or grapple with isolation due to tragedy. Through poignant narratives, these movies shed light on the enduring struggle for meaningful connections in a disconnected world.

Movies about loneliness have the power to resonate with audiences in a way few other concepts can. They address the most natural impulses of human nature, such as the desire to connect and feel socially accepted. Films that explore loneliness often encapsulate themes of alienation, depression, disconnection, and social exclusion. The protagonists of these movies are usually deeply troubled individuals on journeys of self-actualization and realization. Their experiences mimic the difficulties that many people face in the real world, and through their narrative, viewers can find meaning in their own lives.

Some movies about loneliness explore individual characters...

Above: US teaser poster by Dawn Baillie for The Silence of the Lambs.If you have any interest in the nuts and bolts of American movie poster design, as well as excellence in that field, there is an exhibition currently running at Poster House in New York City that is one of the most insightful and well-thought-out introductions to the craft of movie-poster design—as well as to how the technology of graphic design has changed over the past 40 years—that I have ever seen.The exhibition is devoted to the work of Dawn Baillie, one of the unsung heroes of American movie poster design. I have been writing about movie posters for fifteen years and have been looking at them and thinking about them for much longer, and I have to admit that until this exhibit I had never heard the name Dawn Baillie, despite the fact that she is responsible for,...

While last month saw typically dramatic actor/writer/director Viggo Mortensen share his TCM picks in honor of the release of his western romance film “The Dead Don’t Hurt,” the beloved channel has recruited a filmmaker with a more comedic voice to spearhead its July slate. Having produced for film and television since the early ’90s, Judd Apatow made his directorial debut in 2005 with the critical and cultural smash hit, “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.” He’s helped build the careers of Seth Rogen, Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Kristen Wiig, and many others, while also honoring the careers of those who’ve passed with HBO documentaries “The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling” and “George Carlin’s American Dream.”

Apatow’s first picks for the month harken back to his youth, with George Lucas’ coming-of-age hang-out flick “American Grafitti” (1973) airing on July 4 at 3:45am Et and Richard Brooks’ adaptation of Judith Rossner...

Exclusive: Frameline, the arts nonprofit that hosts the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, joined the Colin Higgins Foundation in announcing the recipients of the 2024 Colin Higgins Youth Foundation Grant. The 2024 winners are New York-based filmmakers Farah Jabir (Kasbi) and Leaf Lieber (Burrow).

The partnership, which began in 2023, centers on providing young LGBTQ+ filmmakers with financial support to continue their work. Eligible applicants must self-identify as LGBTQ+ filmmakers, be under the age of 25, and currently reside in the U.S.

“We are deeply honored to continue our partnership with the Colin Higgins Foundation and honor Colin’s enduring legacy by empowering LGBTQ+ youth filmmakers,” said Allegra Madsen, Executive Director of Frameline. “This year’s Festival is centered on the power film has to create change and shape our cultural moment. Youth filmmakers, like Farah Jabir and Leaf Lieber, are not only vital members of the queer film community, but their...

Despite its controversial premise, Hal Ashby's counter-culture cult classic Harold and Maude stands as one of cinema's finest romances, and for good reason. It's a delightful, romantic black-comedy drama flick that delves into the idea of getting into a passionate entanglement without any care or worry in the world. It was a radical statement about what it truly means to display authentic love, regardless of societal norms and circumstances. While it may be difficult for the general viewing public to appreciate the appeal of a love story between a troubled young man and a Bohemian octogenarian, it manages to inevitably suck them in through its innate sensitivity blended with hilarious gallows humor. Absurd, silly, and downright comforting, the endless love of the 1971 picture continues to charm a plethora of movie lovers even those who don't necessarily like love stories in the first place.

Jan Haag, who a half-century ago founded the landmark Directing Workshop for Women at the American Film Institute, has died. She was 90.

The remarkable Haag, who also was an actress, painter, poet, novelist, playwright, writer of travel stories and creator of needlepoint canvases, some of which required hundreds of hours to complete, died Monday in Shoreline, Washington, according to the AFI and the Mb Abram agency.

Haag had directed dozens of educational films for the John Tracy Clinic and the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare when she became the first woman accepted into the Academy Intern Program at the AFI in 1970, three years after it was founded by George Stevens Jr.

She was assigned to Paramount’s Harold and Maude (1971), directed by Hal Ashby, then joined the AFI staff in 1971, and among her duties was to administer the nonprofit’s film grant program funded by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all rights worldwide to “Between the Temples,” a comedy with Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane that earned strong reviews when it debuted at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Nathan Silver, the film follows a forty-something cantor who is at a personal and professional crossroads. That’s when his grade-school music teacher re-enters his life as an adult bat mitzvah student, prompting the pair to form an unusual connection.

In a positive notice, Variety‘s Guy Lodge wrote, “Buoyed by the unlikely chemistry between its two stars, this alternately raucous and tender ‘Harold and Maude’ riff is the warmest work to date from microbudget auteur Nathan Silver.”

“Between the Temples” will have its international debut at the upcoming Berlin International Film Festival in the Panorama section. Schwartzman’s credits include “Rushmore,” “Asteroid City” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” Kane is the Oscar-nominated star...

When you take a peek at Mark Johnson‘s resume, you’re immediately astounded. Consider this partial list of projects he’s been attached to as a producer or executive producer during a career that’s exceeded four decades: “Rain Man” (which won Johnson his lone Oscar), “Good Morning, Vietnam,” “Diner,” “Tin Men,” “The Natural,” “Bugsy,” “Galaxy Quest,” “The Notebook,” “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.” And now, add “The Holdovers” to the list, for which Johnson has landed his third Academy Award nomination (this one for Best Picture).

“Every day, I still feel like a young boy who can’t believe he’s allowed to do this,” Johnson admits. “Somebody asked me if the Oscar nomination was old hat to me, and I’m like, ‘Are you kidding? I’m thrilled.’ I’m very humbled by it. There are a number of movies I’ve made that I think...

It’s a tale as old as time: a young musician leaves their life behind with a bag on their back and a burning desire to find inspiration away from society. Phoebe Nir’s “gonzo female desire musical” “Eco Village,” however, is far from your conventional Age of Aquarius funfair about a hippie-adjacent community in the woods.

Nir’s feature debut is adapted from her eponymous Off-Broadway play and has its world premiere in the Bright Future strand of the International Film Festival Rotterdam. Speaking exclusively with Variety, the playwright-turned-filmmaker says the film came out of a wish to be honest about how it feels to fall madly in love with someone who is bad for you.

In the film, “Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always” breakout Sidney Flanigan is Robin, a musician who hitchhikes to the titular village run by Ursula (indie veteran Lindsay Burdge) in search of pastures new. Instead...

Cillian Murphy's favorite films include diverse titles like Arizona Dream and The Shining. The Night of the Hunter is considered one of the greatest and most influential films ever made. Robert Mitchum's performance as Harry Powell in The Night of the Hunter is chilling and unforgettable.

Given that Cillian Murphy is one of the most diverse and interesting actors of his generation, it’s unsurprising that Murphy’s list of his favorite films of all time contains such eclectic titles as Arizona Dream, Being There, Harold and Maude, Mean Streets, and The Shining. Murphy’s oldest and most prominent selection is the classic 1955 film noir thriller The Night of the Hunter, which is one of the best Robert Mitchum movies, where he plays Harry Powell, a misogynistic serial killer who poses as a preacher for the purpose of charming and then murdering women for their money.

Like so...

Presented by Adobe, Presenting Sponsor and official editing solution of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. For more information, click here.

“Risk…can be the catalyst that propels you forward” is a quote from Robert Redford that lives on the Sundance Institute website, a fitting message from the festival founder that has a forty-plus year history cultivating the careers of many first time filmmakers. Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, David O. Russell, Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, Chloé Zhao, Cathy Yan, and Wes Anderson all made a name during the Park City event.

For the 2024 installation the tradition of directors premiering their debut project continues with over 90 films and episodic titles being showcased for the 40th edition of the Sundance Film Festival. Among them are eight titles whose editing teams looked to Adobe Creative Cloud apps to craft their stories. From an uncertain teen trying to fit in, a grandma on an action-packed revenge quest,...

The Starfleet uniforms seen on the original "Star Trek" series back in 1966 were designed by William Ware Theiss, a costume designer who had previously worked on major Hollywood productions like "Spartacus," and who would go on to design for films like "Harold & Maude," "Bound for Glory," and "Pete's Dragon." According to an article on StarTrek.com, Theiss became friends with D.C. Fontana on the set of "Spartacus" (Fontana worked as a member of the studio's typing pool), which gave him the connection he needed to land his "Star Trek" job. It was Theiss' idea to make futuristic space uniforms look more shirt-like and casual, which stood in contrast to the shiny-and-chrome sci-fi costumes that were more in vogue at the time.

Theiss was also notorious for the skin-revealing outfits he designed for the show's many female guest stars, and he was noted for being able to ride the line...

In Hollywood, the spotlight is often reserved for the latest blockbusters and star-studded casts, so there’s always something truly refreshing about a movie that dares to be different. And that’s precisely what actress-turned-director Robin Wright is set to deliver with her upcoming directorial venture, Bingo.

A Modern Twist on a Timeless Theme

Looking at the film’s title, one would have assumed it has something to do with playing bingo games like these, but that is so not the case. It is, in fact, a story about the unexpected twists and turns that life can take, much like this game of chance.

At the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, Wright spilt the beans about her exciting new project, and it’s creating quite a buzz. Bingo promises to be a delightful and modernised take on the classic theme of May-December romance. For those not in the know, that’s...

Harold and Maude is a cult film that defied initial expectations and became one of the greatest rom-coms ever, despite its scandalous 60-year age gap relationship and odd subject matter. The film faced numerous challenges, including behind-the-scenes drama and lack of promotional marketing, but Harold and Maude eventually gained recognition due to Higgins' clever screenplay and Ashby's expert direction. The age gap between the two characters is a critical aspect of the film's narrative, as Maude's lively perspective on life challenges Harold's disillusionment and adds depth to their romance. Harold and Maude's unusual storyline and dark humor have been celebrated by the creative community and long-time fans.

Harold and Maude revolves around a scandalous taboo 60-year age gap relationship, yet it is considered one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time. From the mind of Colin Higgins and brought to life onscreen by Hal Ashby, Harold...

City Lights is considered the greatest romantic comedy in history according to a 2008 AFI poll, defying expectations with its silent format and timeless love story. When Harry Met Sally is highly regarded for its sharp writing and chemistry between the leads, but falls behind older rom-coms on AFI's list. Despite its lower ranking, When Harry Met Sally would likely fare better in a new poll today due to its enduring cultural legacy and influence on the genre.

While it’s often cited as a quintessential example in the genre, When Harry Met Sally came in sixth place on the American Film Institute’s (AFI) 2008 list of the greatest rom-coms of all time, with a 92-year-old silent film actually taking the top spot. Even before characters could be heard talking to one another on-screen, the romantic comedy genre and its heartwarming love stories have accounted for some of the most beloved,...

It’s the holiday season in Alexander Payne’s sweet, good-looking yet occasionally schmaltzy throwback “The Holdovers” and Paul Giamatti’s grumpy Paul Hunham has stolen the Christmas of 1970. Well, not quite, as his character—an Ancient History teacher at the fictional New England school Barton Academy—isn’t exactly the Grinch despite being severely disliked by his students and fellow educators alike.

Sure, he gives stingy grades like F+, is uncompromisingly prickly and calls his students things like “snarling Visigoths” in his amusingly embellished figure of speech full of insults and outdated language—one of the many low-key delights of David Hemingson’s script. But it isn’t exactly his doing that several kids who can’t go home for the holidays are held over at the academy under his supervision.

This unwelcome winter break gig is a punishment of sorts for Hunham—if you fail the wrong kid...

Romance and cinema have had a passionate love affair since the inception of the silver screen. The intoxicating magic of a well-executed romantic gesture can stir our hearts, evoke tears, and leave us reminiscing long after the end credits roll. Whether it’s a stolen moment under a balcony or a grand declaration of love against a cinematic backdrop, these gestures often become the highlight of the movie, etching their places in our collective memories.

In this article, we present a curated list of the 50 best romantic gestures in film, spanning decades, genres, and cultures. From iconic classics like Casablanca to heartwarming modern tales like Juno, these films showcase how love is celebrated, fought for, and remembered. These moments range from the dramatic to the subtle, proving that love’s language is as varied as it is profound.

Hold onto your hearts as we embark on this cinematic journey, revisiting...

Bringing some of the most adventurous filmmaking from around the world to Switzerland, the Locarno Film Festival is now running through next weekend. One of the directorial debuts on our radar is Romain de Saint-Blanquat’s Bitten (aka La Morsure), set in 1967 during Mardi Gras and backed by Films Boutique for international sales. The giallo thriller follows a seventeen-year-old at an all-girls Catholic high school. Convinced that she has only one night left before her death, she sneaks out with her friend Delphine to attend a costume party and live the night as if it was her last.

“La Morsure is a film that plays on changes of register and atmosphere, on rupture and opposition, in tune with the perception and chaotic trajectory of its heroine. I wanted to try to make its upheaval palpable, an inner storm that echoes the one blowing outside,” said the director. Ahead of tomorrow’s festival premiere,...

When Bo Goldman, the two-time Academy Award screenwriter of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Harold and Maude," passed away on July 25, 2023 at the age of 90, the world lost a master dramatist and a razor-sharp observer of human behavior. Hailed by his Hollywood peers as a "screenwriter's screenwriter," Goldman possessed an unerring ear for dialogue and a cliche-eschewing sense of narrative. Be it a wistful satire of the American dream or a bruisingly authentic depiction of divorce, his name on the poster guaranteed an honest, offbeat view of humanity.

And it almost never happened. Goldman was born in the midst of the Great Depression on September 10, 1932. His father owned a chain of department stores that had fallen on hard times, but that didn't stop the besieged patriarch from sending his son to the prestigious likes of Phillips Exeter and Princeton University. It was at the latter institution that Goldman discovered a love for theater,...

In 1983, audiences watched Tom Cruise dance in his parents’ living room in Paul Brickman’s adolescent drama “Risky Business.” The film became a cultural touchstone — with Cruise’s dance often imitated but never duplicated — that has endured for 40 years. Cruise took that success and has now become the biggest, if not the last, global movie star. But when this author watches “Risky Business,” it’s the story of Lana, the teenage sex worker who propels Cruise’s Joel on his quest towards running a brothel, that sticks out.

Actress Rebecca De Mornay was in her early twenties when she made “Risky Business” and has never truly gotten her flowers for it. It’s even more frustrating to consider that the actress went on to star in hits in her own right, including the 1992 thriller “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” and Disney’s 1993 adaptation of “The Three Musketeers.” De Mornay...

Robin Wright will direct Patricia Clarkson in a new film, “Bingo,” which shares some DNA with the cult classic “Harold and Maude,” she told Variety Friday at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, where both Wright and Clarkson are guests.

The story is a “modernized, beautiful” take on May-December romance, said the actor, being honored this week at the festival. One thing “Bingo” won’t feature is the dark center that “Harold and Maude,” the 1971 Hal Ashby comedy, featured, said Wright. “Bingo” is written by Annakate Chappell, who is represented by Adam Riback at Echo Lake Entertainment.

“I love directing,” Wright said. “I love seeing what actors can do. And pulling it out of them.”

The “Princess Bride” star, who will be screening the classic offbeat fairy tale for a new generation at Karlovy Vary, also said David Fincher was a source of inspiration for her when directing. Fincher directed Wright...

Origins is a recurring series that gives artists a space to break down everything that went into their latest release. Today, legendary songwriter Yusuf / Cat Stevens takes us behind his new single, “All Nights, All Days.”

Legendary singer-songwriter Yusuf / Cat Stevens has released “All Nights, All Days,” the latest single from his upcoming album, King of a Land. The track boasts a bouncy acoustic instrumental and cuttingly political lyrics, a streak that’s furthered by the gorgeous animated music video.

Leaning more into country rock than the previous King of a Land singles, the track allows Stevens to showcase his versatility as both a songwriter and a performer. He cites the Traveling Wilburys — the iconic supergroup made up of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty — as a primary influence when it came to the composition and tone of the tune.

“There is a hint of...

Frameline, the arts nonprofit that hosts San Francisco’s International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, announced a new partnership with the Colin Higgins Foundation entitled the Colin Higgins Youth Filmmaker Grant, a new initiative centered on providing young LGBTQ+ filmmakers with financial support to continue their work.

Eligible applicants must identify as LGBTQ+ filmmakers, be under the age of 25 and currently reside in the U.S. The recipients for this year have been chosen and are being announced today.

Three young American filmmakers, Daisy Friedman, Karina Dandashi and Emilio Subia, have been selected as the recipients of the Colin Higgins Youth Filmmaker Grant, and will each receive $15,000 to support their future film projects, for a total of $45,000 awarded to these filmmakers. In addition, the winners’ short films will be showcased at the Frameline: San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, taking place June 14-24, 2023. Each filmmaker will be in attendance for their screening.

[Editor’s note: Spoilers ahead for “A Good Person.”]

When Zach Braff’s “Garden State” debuted in 2004, it did two things almost instantly: It established the first-time filmmaker (then best known to most audiences as the star of the sitcom “Scrubs”) as an indie creator to watch; and, to even greater effect, kickstarted a debate about the kinds of female characters who populate such stories. They’re cute! They’re quirky! They exist almost entirely to help a man work through his problems! It’s the manic pixie dream girl!

Film critic and then-A.V. Club staffer Nathan Rabin gave that trope its name a year after the release of “Garden State” with the release of another film, Cameron Crowe’s “Elizabethtown.” But as Rabin noted in his essay, Braff’s “Garden State” beat Crowe to the punch in creating a character who “exists solely in the fevered imaginations of sensitive writer-directors to teach broodingly soulful young men to...

Zach Braff is opening up about falling under the spell of the manic pixie dream girl male fantasy.

The “Garden State” director has been criticized for perpetuating the trope most prominently in his 2004 directorial debut starring Natalie Portman. The manic pixie dream girl label refers to unconventional, one-dimensional female characters who ultimately ease the lead male character’s existential despair and change his perspective on life.

“I was just copying Diane Keaton in ‘Annie Hall’ and Ruth Gordon in ‘Harold and Maude,'” Braff told The Independent about crafting Portman’s character Sam. “Those were my two favorite movies growing up, and I was kind of taking those two female protagonists and melding them into Natalie Portman.”

Braff added, “Of course I’ve heard and respect the criticism, but I was a very depressed young man who had this fantasy of a dream girl coming along and saving me from myself,...

Zach Braff was the toast of the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, where he emerged as an indie film wunderkind thanks to “Garden State.” The coming-of-age dramedy sold to Fox Searchlight for $5 million, double its production budget, and became a poster child for hip indies of the early aughts thanks to its Grammy-winning soundtrack and quirky characters. Flash forward to 2015, and Vice was celebrating the film’s anniversary with the following headline: “It’s the 10-Year Anniversary of Realizing ‘Garden State’ Sucked.”

Time has not been kind to “Garden State.” It’s the kind of film that now elicits groans and eye-rolls since its arty blocking (that wallpaper!) and alt-rock soundtrack have become worn out indie film cliches. Natalie Portman’s character, Sam, is often cited as one of the worst offenders of the “manic pixie dream girl” stereotype, which describes a quirky female character whose main narrative purpose is to save...

Simone Cleary (Kate Hudson) greets Shriver (Michael Shannon) in Michael Maren’s whimsical A Little White Lie

Michael Maren’s whimsical A Little White Lie (adapted from Chris Belden’s book Shriver) stars Michael Shannon (also a producer), Kate Hudson (executive producer), Don Johnson, and M Emmet Walsh with Kate Linder, Romy Byrne, Mark Boone Junior, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Jimmi Simpson, Wendie Malick, and Zach Braff.

Honoré de Balzac, Jerzy Kosinski and Hal Ashby’s Being There, starring Peter Sellers (shown to Olivia Colman by Toby Jones in Sam Mendes’s Empire Of Light), The Landlord, Harold And Maude, Linda Lavin and Harris Yulin in A Short History Of Decay, Max Frisch’s I’m Not Stiller and Call Me Gantenbein, John Barth’s Giles Goat-Boy, James Joyce’s Finnegan’s Wake and Ulysses, Marcel Proust’s Remembrance Of Lost Time, Robert Musil’s The Man Without Qualities, Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper,...

Now that the noise has subsided, were there any helpful takeaways from the Oscars?

If you ask the leaders of A24, the distributor that swept six categories, their answer would be the same as it was six years ago when Moonlight was the surprise winner. “Can’t think of a thing to say,” is what they said.

Related Story Oscars Analysis: First-Timers Lift Spirits And Emotions In Ceremony That Was Old-School Academy Awards In A Good Way Related Story 'Everything Everywhere All At Once', 'The Boys' Top Critics Choice Super Awards Related Story A24 Acquires Talking Heads 1984 Concert Film 'Stop Making Sense', Will Restore In 4K For Theatrical Release

A24 likes to surround its victories with the sounds of silence, as they made numbingly clear when last I had a sit-down with them (they resist sit-downs: more below).

But there were, in fact, some questions...

James D. Brubaker, who started out as a driver for John Wayne movies and went on to amass producing credits on high-profile titles including “The Right Stuff,” “Cobra” and “Rocky IV,” died Jan. 3 in Beverly Hills, Calif. after a series of strokes. He was 85.

Brubaker produced three movies with Eddie Murphy: “The Nutty Professor,” “The Klumps” and “Life,” in which he had a cameo appearance as the judge.

Jim Carrey starred in two movies he produced, “Liar, Liar” and “Bruce Almighty.”

His other production credits include “A Walk in the Clouds,” “Dragonfly” with Kevin Costner and “Gia” with Angelina Jolie.

He served as unit production manager on films including “Raging Bull,” “Comes a Horseman,” “New York, New York,” “Rhinestone,” “True Confessions,” “Patty Hearst,” “Godfather Part II” and “Staying Alive.” His final credit was as executive producer on “Chef,” starring Jon Favreau.

From 2003 to 2008, Brubaker served as president of physical production at Universal Studios,...

As the calendar flips over to 2023, Prime Video is attempting to start a new year on the right track with fresh seasons of some major originals.

Prime Videos’ list of new releases for January 2023 is highlighted by Hunters season 2 on Jan. 13. The first season of Hunters was set in 1977 and followed young Jonah Heidelbaum’s (Logan Lerman) introduction to a world of Nazi-hunting. After a lengthy wait for season 2, the fresh (and final) batch of episodes will find Jonah and friends venturing to South American to take out none other than Adolf Hitler, himself.

While Nazi-hunting undoubtedly takes up a lot of streaming space, two other Amazon original series of note arrive in January. The Rig, a supernatural thriller set on a Scottish oil rig, premieres Jan. 6. That will be followed by season 2 of fantasy role-playing animated series The Legend of Vox Machina on Jan. 20.

The action comedy Shotgun Wedding...

In “A Man Called Otto,” Tom Hanks plays one of those misanthropic over-the-hill loners who never misses a chance to vent his spleen. Giving a hard time to everyone is what gets him through the day; you might call it his hobby. From Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” to Alan Arkin in “Little Miss Sunshine,” we’ve seen this sort of get-off-my-lawn curmudgeon many times before. But with the right actor and the right script, it’s a formula for yocks (and for gently rediscovered humanity) that audiences never get tired of — and Hanks, make no mistake, is the right actor for this role. For years, when he was America’s top movie star, Hanks was routinely described as our own James Stewart, the soul of guy-next-door decency, but going back to his earliest performances in films like “Bachelor Party” Hanks has always had an edge to him. That’s...

In his latest interview/podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to actor Sarah Lind about her role in the film A Wounded Fawn, as well as… 3 Films That Have Impacted Everything In Your Adult Life. Including:

The Wizard Of Oz (1939) Harold & Maude (1971) Mulholland Drive (2001)

A Wounded Fawn is available on Shudder now.

A serial killer brings an unsuspecting new victim on a weekend getaway to add another body to his ever-growing count. She’s buying into his faux charms, and he’s eagerly lusting for blood. What could possibly go wrong?

Powered by RedCircle...

The new year is upon us and Amazon Prime Video is kicking things off in grand fashion. Not only are they debuting the third season of their Tom Clancy adaptation “Jack Ryan,” they’re also debuting the final season of the ambitious, Al Pacino-starring actioner “Hunters.”

Initially debuting to the service in February of 2020, right as the pandemic started, the series’ first season follows a ragtag group of Nazi hunters in 1977 New York City. The so-called Hunters discover that hundreds of high-ranking Nazi officials are living in the United States and are conspiring to create a Fourth Reich in America. The Nazi hunters, led by Pacino, will embark on a bloody quest to bring the Nazis to justice and thwart their genocidal plans. The series concluded in 2020 and has taken some time to get back to screens. Unfortunately, this second season will be a finale as well so fans...

Director Luca Guadagnino discusses a few of his favorite films with Josh Olson and Joe Dante.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Bones And All (2022)

A Bigger Splash (2015)

Suspiria (2018)

Call Me By Your Name (2017)

Apocalypse Now (1979) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975)

Amarcord (1973) – Bernard Rose’s trailer commentary

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Jason And The Argonauts (1963) – Ernest Dickerson’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s review

After Hours (1985) – Brian Trenchard-Smith’s trailer commentary

Nashville (1975) – Larry Karaszewski’s trailer commentary, Dan Perri’s trailer commentary, Dennis Cozzalio’s review

Journey To Italy (1954)

Empire Of The Sun (1987)

The Flower Of My Secret (1995)

The Last Emperor (1987) – John Landis’s trailer commentary

1900 (1976)

Last Tango In Paris (1972) – Larry Karaszewski’s trailer commentary

Psycho (1960) – John Landis’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Suspiria (1977) – Edgar Wright’s U.S. and international trailer commentaries,...

The Fabelmans is currently playing in theaters and offers an inspiring look into Steven Spielberg's life. The legendary director retells his turbulent childhood marked by his parent's divorce and how he found comfort in cinema to lead a good life.

The magic of movies is tied in with the emotions it expects to invoke in the audience and some stories instantly make people want to be kinder and enjoy life at ease. Redditors share the picks that resonated with them and inspired them to pursue a better way of living.

Harold & Maude (1971)

fergi20020 suggests, "Harold & Maude". The film is a quirky story about friendship and love that truly feels like a Wes Anderson movie. The narrative revolves around a rich young boy obsessed with death who begins to see things from a different perspective after he meets the peculiar Maude, an 80-year-old woman living life to the fullest.

One of the great ironies of human existence is that death, the very thing we spend our lives trying to avoid, is the source of much of life’s meaning. That’s one of the points that Jean-Paul Sartre makes in “No Exit,” his landmark play that follows three deceased humans whose eternal punishment consists of being locked in a room and forced to make conversation forever. Our most precious moments are precious because they eventually expire — do anything for long enough and it ultimately becomes drudgery.

As you might expect from its title, “Next Exit” constantly riffs on Sartre’s dramatic existentialism and shares his interest in what happens when humans are confined together. Mali Elfman’s directorial debut is set in a world where scientists have definitively proven that ghosts are real, with indisputable video evidence showing that we can return to haunt the people we love (and hate) after we die.

The forever-rotating catalog of streaming movies and television has ebbs and flows of availability with what we gain and lose every month. November 2022 happens to be a month when we'll lose quite a number of great titles to the digital ether from HBO Max. Everything from some recent genre material, Hollywood classics, and films by major auteurs all leave the service by the end of the month. There are enough great films that I could spotlight a dozen or so movies you need to see before they leave HBO Max and are sent to possibly another streaming service or – and I know it's unthinkable – for digital rental, where you actually have to put down a couple of bucks to watch the movie.

To avoid spending some extra cash before the holiday season burns a hole in your wallet that you will soon regret, here are five films leaving HBO Max...

Spanish streamer Filmin is set to launch its latest original series, “Autodefensa,” a semi-autobiographical show about two young women in Barcelona living a wild and care-free life while also struggling with the conflicts and frustrations faced by Generation Z.

Co-created by Miguel Ángel Blanca (“Magaluf Ghost Town”) and stars Berta Prieto and Belén Barenys, “Autodefensa” is a documentary-like work about two friends in their 20s described as a mash of Lena Dunham’s “Girls,” Larry Clark’s “Kids” and the works of Lars von Trier.

Blanca, who also produced and directed the series, was selected by Variety last year as one of Spain’s 10 rising talents and has enjoyed success with his own recent award-winning documentary, “Magaluf Ghost Town.”

Up-and-coming talents Prieto and Barenys also boast growing popularity: Prieto is an author and playwright, while Barenys, who also goes by the stage name Memé, is an actress and singer with...

“Mack & Rita,” the third film by Sundance darling Katie Aselton, is Mack (Elizabeth Lail), an awkward author turned reluctant influencer, describes herself as a “70-year-old in the body of a 30-year-old.” She tiptoes through life terrified to be out of step with her cohorts’ harsh judgments. Here, according to screenwriters Madeline Walter and Paul Welsh, millennials recoil at reading, diners, scarves, carpeting, silence, sensible shoes, chain restaurants and non-conformity. In one scene, 50 of millennials don’t even understand the word “lothario.”

Exhausted from the pressure to sport thigh-high, spike-heeled snakeskin boots to a bottomless mimosa brunch, Mack stumbles across a shady huckster (“Red Rocket” star Simon Rex), collapses in his regression tank — and emerges in the body of Diane Keaton. The body-swapping contrivance is easier to believe than anything the film does with it. Introducing herself to the world as Mack’s Aunt Rita, the character unchains herself from...