Film Archives – Page 3 of 18

‘Vita Activa: The Spirit of Hannah Arendt’ Opens in U.S.

By Jennifer Merin ● Arts & Culture ● April 8, 2016

Go see this profile of the influential thinker. Another must-see opening this week is the drama “Wedding Doll.” But don’t bother with Melissa McCarthy’s latest negative caricature of female ambition in “The Boss.”

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U.N. Embraces ‘Sold’ As Way to Fight Trafficking With Art

By Jennifer Merin ● Uncategorized ● March 25, 2016

The movie is heading into U.S. theatrical and I hope it will stoke a global movement against this horrendous crime. Teen trafficking is also the subject of “Spirits’ Homecoming,” inspired by Korean “comfort women” and opening March 25.

‘Marguerite’ Wrings Suspense Out of Self-Delusion

By Jennifer Merin ● Uncategorized ● March 11, 2016

This exquisitely realized French tragi-comedy tops my list of movie openers this week. I can also recommend “About Scout,” a femme-centric shoestring budget indie film about a teenager on a challenging road trip.

‘Zootopia’ Wins Prize for Mass Marketing Stereotypes to Kids

By Jennifer Merin ● Uncategorized ● March 4, 2016

And as previously mentioned, “Trapped” is out March 4, to help everyone mull over the ruling that is now pending in the first major Supreme Court case on abortion restrictions in years.

Oscar-Nominee ‘Mustang’ Puts Turkey in Unwanted Spotlight

By Jennifer Hattam ● Arts & Culture ● February 26, 2016

There’s a reason France, not Turkey, nominated this film by a French-Turkish director. But plenty in Turkey are also embracing the film and its strong statement against early marriage, incest, rape, virginity tests and the treatment of girls as family property.

‘Neerja’ is Gripping Tribute to Heroine of 1986 Hijacking

By Jennifer Merin ● Arts & Culture ● February 19, 2016

Unfortunately this biopic is in limited release. But “Race,” about Jesse Owens, is in wide release and is terrific. The cast is mostly male but Carice van Houten’s portrayal of Leni Reifensthahl, the Nazi filmmaker and propagandist, is stunning.

‘Trapped’ Will Be Released With Eye on Voters

By Jennifer Merin ● Arts & Culture ● February 11, 2016

Even if this award-winning documentary about abortion clinics cannot affect the Supreme Court decision this June, it helps to clarify the issues and reveals legislators’ voting records on abortion laws that threaten to close women’s reproductive health care clinics.

‘Viva’ Taps Drag Stardom in Havana’s Gay Community

By Jennifer Merin ● Arts & Culture ● February 5, 2016

Other great openers this week include “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” a wonderful genre twist on Jane Austen’s classic. And “Southbound” offers every kind of horror fan something to scream about.

Jada Pinkett Smith, whose husband Will Smith wasn't nominated this year, says she will boycott the Oscars.

Hollywood’s Diversity Politics Reach a Major Intersection

By Jennifer Merin ● Arts & Culture ● January 29, 2016

This is a moment when #OscarsTooWhite and #HollywoodBoysClub protesters could and should overlap and join forces. Meanwhile, my tips for this week’s openers start with “Jane Got a Gun” and “Kung Fu Panda 3.”

Storm Brewing Over Hollywood’s Lack of Diversity

By Jennifer Merin ● Arts & Culture ● January 15, 2016

Yes I have a few weekly film openers for you, including the engaging drama “A Perfect Day.” But there is such a shortage this week that it’s the perfect time to fill in the void with a look at the latest stats and outcry over the white, male domination of the film business.