Reviewer: Craig Phillips
Rating (out of 5): ***½
Swedish author Stieg Larsson's book The Girl With the Tattoo had moments so disturbingly chilling and evocative that I had to put it down - only to have to pick it back up again, the same kind of shuddersome grip reminiscent of Thomas Harris' Silence of the Lambs. The film version won't shock those of us who read the book in the same way, but whether you have or have not, the film is inarguably a well-crafted thriller.
Larsson's novel has sold about 25 million copies worldwide, and spawned two sequels -- published, alas, posthumously, as Larsson died of a heart attack at the age of fifty in 2004 -- and spawned the film version, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, directed by Danish filmmaker Niels Arden Oplev. Larsson himself was a journalist who clearly used his own experiences as an activist reporter...
Rating (out of 5): ***½
Swedish author Stieg Larsson's book The Girl With the Tattoo had moments so disturbingly chilling and evocative that I had to put it down - only to have to pick it back up again, the same kind of shuddersome grip reminiscent of Thomas Harris' Silence of the Lambs. The film version won't shock those of us who read the book in the same way, but whether you have or have not, the film is inarguably a well-crafted thriller.
Larsson's novel has sold about 25 million copies worldwide, and spawned two sequels -- published, alas, posthumously, as Larsson died of a heart attack at the age of fifty in 2004 -- and spawned the film version, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, directed by Danish filmmaker Niels Arden Oplev. Larsson himself was a journalist who clearly used his own experiences as an activist reporter...
- 7/6/2010
- by underdog
- GreenCine
To celebrate the release of the Henri Cartier-Bresson DVD set, GreenCine teamed up with our friends at Photojojo for our first ever photo contest. We asked you to send us your photos inspired by a film, and we received some amazing submissions! Thanks to all the photogs who entered, and to Photojojo for supplying the awesome prizes, the Digital Harinezumi 2.0 and the magnetic photo rope. And thanks to our judging panel, which included GreenCine's Craig Phillips, Maian Tran, plus film critics Jeffrey Anderson and Erin Donovan.
Congrats to our first prize winner Juan Rodrigo Jardón Galeana for his photo inspired by Wings of Desire.
See more of our favorite entries after the jump!
Congrats to our first prize winner Juan Rodrigo Jardón Galeana for his photo inspired by Wings of Desire.
See more of our favorite entries after the jump!
- 5/27/2010
- by weezy
- GreenCine
by Craig Phillips
Film producer and screenwriter James Schamus was in San Francisco to accept the Kanbar Award, a fairly recent prize Sfiff gives to writers who have had distinguished careers. (Other recent honorees include Paul Haggis, Robert Towne and Peter Morgan.) I attended the Q&A with Schamus that was then followed by a screening of the new director's cut of Ride With the Devil (now available on DVD from Criterion), which Schamus scripted for director Ang Lee. Like any good screenwriter, he answered with wit and steered himself back on point whenever he got off on a tangent, except when he knew said tangents were the real prize.
Continued reading Ride With the Schamus...
Comments (0)
Comments on this Entry:...
Film producer and screenwriter James Schamus was in San Francisco to accept the Kanbar Award, a fairly recent prize Sfiff gives to writers who have had distinguished careers. (Other recent honorees include Paul Haggis, Robert Towne and Peter Morgan.) I attended the Q&A with Schamus that was then followed by a screening of the new director's cut of Ride With the Devil (now available on DVD from Criterion), which Schamus scripted for director Ang Lee. Like any good screenwriter, he answered with wit and steered himself back on point whenever he got off on a tangent, except when he knew said tangents were the real prize.
Continued reading Ride With the Schamus...
Comments (0)
Comments on this Entry:...
- 5/5/2010
- GreenCine Daily
by Craig Phillips
[editor's note: Please seek out this film, which was my favorite doc feature at this year's SXSW.]
After nearly dying from a vicious attack that left him brain damaged, Mark Hogancamp had to learn to walk, talk and write again—only finding solace in the building of a small-scale WWII European village in his backyard. Named for this fictional, war-torn town, Marwencol is filmmaker Jeff Malmberg's four-year chronicle of Hogancamp's life and project, a film as much about the restoration of a human psyche as it is the story of an intricate art form rising out of tragedy.
It's both extraordinary and heartbreaking to see how fully Hogancamp lives in his constructed world. By piecing together WWII history for his town, he attempts to piece together the mystery of his former life before the attack. Malmberg has clearly built a trusting relationship with his subject, allowing him to reveal multiple sides of Hogancamp—fascinating shades of who he was and is now.
Continued reading Sfiff '10: Marwencol.
[editor's note: Please seek out this film, which was my favorite doc feature at this year's SXSW.]
After nearly dying from a vicious attack that left him brain damaged, Mark Hogancamp had to learn to walk, talk and write again—only finding solace in the building of a small-scale WWII European village in his backyard. Named for this fictional, war-torn town, Marwencol is filmmaker Jeff Malmberg's four-year chronicle of Hogancamp's life and project, a film as much about the restoration of a human psyche as it is the story of an intricate art form rising out of tragedy.
It's both extraordinary and heartbreaking to see how fully Hogancamp lives in his constructed world. By piecing together WWII history for his town, he attempts to piece together the mystery of his former life before the attack. Malmberg has clearly built a trusting relationship with his subject, allowing him to reveal multiple sides of Hogancamp—fascinating shades of who he was and is now.
Continued reading Sfiff '10: Marwencol.
- 5/1/2010
- GreenCine Daily
by Craig Phillips
It's mostly a coincidence but several of the films I saw at this year's San Francisco International Film Festival, currently ongoing through May 6, were coming-of-age tales set from young protagonists' perspectives. Or perhaps it's not a coincidence, since American film festivals are frequently dotted with international films centered around children or teens coping with trying circumstances.
The best of the films I saw this week was certainly Giorgio Diritti's second feature, The Man Who Will Come (L'Uomo che verra), an elegant, lovely and ultimately devastating WWII piece that takes its time to build, setting the stage for a tragic climax that is more upsetting than anything you'll see in recent horror films. Set in a rural Italian village in 1943, the story is unfurled from the point of view of a young girl, Martina, who has become mute after the death of her baby brother. The film's...
It's mostly a coincidence but several of the films I saw at this year's San Francisco International Film Festival, currently ongoing through May 6, were coming-of-age tales set from young protagonists' perspectives. Or perhaps it's not a coincidence, since American film festivals are frequently dotted with international films centered around children or teens coping with trying circumstances.
The best of the films I saw this week was certainly Giorgio Diritti's second feature, The Man Who Will Come (L'Uomo che verra), an elegant, lovely and ultimately devastating WWII piece that takes its time to build, setting the stage for a tragic climax that is more upsetting than anything you'll see in recent horror films. Set in a rural Italian village in 1943, the story is unfurled from the point of view of a young girl, Martina, who has become mute after the death of her baby brother. The film's...
- 4/30/2010
- GreenCine Daily
It's the wonderful time of year again, when people of all ages gather together to watch the Academy Award ceremony, alternating between wishing they were there on the red carpet, and feeling aggravated by the show and the awards themselves. But it's a favorite tradition and we wouldn't miss it for the world.
On March 7, 2010, during the Oscar ceremony, GreenCine will be hosting a live chat featuring some of our favorite film bloggers from around the Us, and the world, chiming in with live commentary on the proceedings. Using the terrific Cover It Live interface, our panelists will chat throughout the evening and take your questions on the awards. Join host Craig Phillips, editor at GreenCine, as well as Aaron Hillis, editor of GreenCine Daily, as they keep the conversation flowing with our esteemed guests and you, the moviegoing public. We hope you'll join us and bring your friends, for...
On March 7, 2010, during the Oscar ceremony, GreenCine will be hosting a live chat featuring some of our favorite film bloggers from around the Us, and the world, chiming in with live commentary on the proceedings. Using the terrific Cover It Live interface, our panelists will chat throughout the evening and take your questions on the awards. Join host Craig Phillips, editor at GreenCine, as well as Aaron Hillis, editor of GreenCine Daily, as they keep the conversation flowing with our esteemed guests and you, the moviegoing public. We hope you'll join us and bring your friends, for...
- 2/17/2010
- by underdog
- GreenCine
By Craig Phillips
Any year in which it is truly a challenge to whittle down one's list of favorite films rather than a stretch to fill in the list is a good one and I'd deem 2009 such a year. As always, my personal choices tend to be films that I find both wholly unique, emotionally resonant, and with a well structured script (or in the case of docs, a well structured story) -- those who know me know I have a particular bias for or against films based on how strong or weak are the scripts. These are the films that inspire, and stick with me long after the lights come back on.
...
- 12/31/2009
- by underdog
- GreenCine
By Craig Phillips In honor of Memorial Day -- take a moment of silence for all the soldiers who have served this country over the years (and centuries), and then take another moment to think of some of your favorite films about the horrors of war. These are mine. Post your own choices in the comments below.
(Note: I'm keeping to fictional features here, no docs allowed, for the sake of focus.
(Note: I'm keeping to fictional features here, no docs allowed, for the sake of focus.
- 5/25/2009
- by underdog
- GreenCine
By Craig Phillips Yet another in my series of fully biased reports on movies that are frustratingly absent a current DVD release here in the United States (the other two lists are here, and here.) Here are ten more neglected films -- and this is one article I wouldn't mind seeing become dated, when/if these films finally do arrive on disc:
The List of Adrian Messenger: I'll confess that I haven't seen this one since I was a pre-teen (on television one night), but it was one of the first mystery films I both really loved and even understood, aside from the 70s all-star Agatha Christie films. Even if there's a chance it's now dated, the pedigree -- director John Huston, actors Kirk Douglas, George C. Scott, Robert Mitchum, et al -- should alone be enough to get this one its due on DVD. A real head-scratcher that it's...
The List of Adrian Messenger: I'll confess that I haven't seen this one since I was a pre-teen (on television one night), but it was one of the first mystery films I both really loved and even understood, aside from the 70s all-star Agatha Christie films. Even if there's a chance it's now dated, the pedigree -- director John Huston, actors Kirk Douglas, George C. Scott, Robert Mitchum, et al -- should alone be enough to get this one its due on DVD. A real head-scratcher that it's...
- 4/20/2009
- by underdog
- GreenCine
Come join us for an evening full of punditry, commentary, jokes, trivia, predictions, and general head-shaking as we host a live blog during Sunday's Oscar ceremony. The chat will be moderated by host GreenCine editor/writer Craig Phillips who will be joined throughout the evening by GreenCine Daily editor, film distributor and writer Aaron Hillis, plus a bounty of other film bloggers from around the country. Guest panelists jumping in will include Erin Donovan, Kathy Fennessy (Siff blog), film blogger and Us magazine and Flavorpill contributor Lisa Rosman, Edward Copeland (Eddie on Film) and Eric Dienstfrey (Filmbo) -- with quite a few more dropping by. We hope you'll join us, too. Alone, surviving this year's Oscars might be a rather difficult chore, but together we can do it. [Full list of nominees.]...
- 2/22/2009
- by underdog
- GreenCine
Come join us for an evening full of punditry, commentary, jokes, trivia, predictions, and general head-shaking as we host a live blog during Sunday's Oscar ceremony. The chat will be moderated by host GreenCine editor/writer Craig Phillips who will be joined throughout the evening by GreenCine Daily editor, film distributor and writer Aaron Hillis, plus a bounty of other film bloggers from around the country. Guest panelists jumping in will include Erin Donovan, Kathy Fennessy (Siff blog), film blogger and Us magazine and Flavorpill contributor Lisa Rosman, with quite a few more dropping by. We hope you'll join us, too. Alone, surviving this year's Oscars might be a rather difficult chore, but together we can do it.
- 2/10/2009
- by underdog
- GreenCine
By Craig Phillips
GreenCine Editor
While, in retrospect, this was a better year overall than some complainy critics are positing, I have to admit that the sheer number of bad American films also out in 2008 certainly gives one pause, and it wasn't a particularly easy year to pull out ten clear cut favorites. But this kind of moaning and handwringing happens every year. There are bad films. There are great films. Every year. And 2008 was good for International film, and especially French cinema, as well as comic book adaptations, documentaries, and there were even a few good comedies (amidst the morass of drek).
(Click to reveal Craig's, er, list:)...
GreenCine Editor
While, in retrospect, this was a better year overall than some complainy critics are positing, I have to admit that the sheer number of bad American films also out in 2008 certainly gives one pause, and it wasn't a particularly easy year to pull out ten clear cut favorites. But this kind of moaning and handwringing happens every year. There are bad films. There are great films. Every year. And 2008 was good for International film, and especially French cinema, as well as comic book adaptations, documentaries, and there were even a few good comedies (amidst the morass of drek).
(Click to reveal Craig's, er, list:)...
- 1/3/2009
- by underdog
- GreenCine
DVDs, 12/2.
"In its blunt, bludgeoning way, White Dog ranks among the toughest and most probing examinations of racism in American cinema," writes Dennis Lim in the Los Angeles Times . "[Sam] Fuller's brute-force direction gives this outrageous allegory the hyperbolic treatment it demands." More from Erin Donovan at the Guru and notes on it from Craig Phillips.
"The late Marguerite Duras's novels, with their accretion of visual detail and incantatory dialogue, lent themselves to movies, but Duras disliked others' adaptations of her work and began, in the 1960s, to direct," writes Richard Brody in the New Yorker. "Her fourth film, Nathalie Granger (in a two-disk set from Blaq Out / Facets), from 1972, is a vehicle for a pair of international divas, Jeanne Moreau and Lucia Bosé, albeit an unusually low-key one; the setting is a cluttered old house near Paris, which was Duras's own."...
"In its blunt, bludgeoning way, White Dog ranks among the toughest and most probing examinations of racism in American cinema," writes Dennis Lim in the Los Angeles Times . "[Sam] Fuller's brute-force direction gives this outrageous allegory the hyperbolic treatment it demands." More from Erin Donovan at the Guru and notes on it from Craig Phillips.
"The late Marguerite Duras's novels, with their accretion of visual detail and incantatory dialogue, lent themselves to movies, but Duras disliked others' adaptations of her work and began, in the 1960s, to direct," writes Richard Brody in the New Yorker. "Her fourth film, Nathalie Granger (in a two-disk set from Blaq Out / Facets), from 1972, is a vehicle for a pair of international divas, Jeanne Moreau and Lucia Bosé, albeit an unusually low-key one; the setting is a cluttered old house near Paris, which was Duras's own."...
- 12/2/2008
- by GreenCineStaff
- GreenCine
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.