Review: Nat Turner ignites a revolution in ‘The Birth of a Nation’

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Revolutions don’t happen overnight. There are many stories about the Civil War, but The Birth of a Nation tells of Nat Turner, a slave who rose up against oppression years before the fighting began.

In this retelling of Nat Turner’s life, Nate Parker delivers a performance that’s full of heart. From moments of joy to tears of heartache, we see every range of emotion that grabs hold of you and keeps you close. The rest of the cast is equally excellent, particularly Armie Hammer as Nat’s owner, Samuel Turner. He balances humanity and evil, sometimes in the same scene, and it’s truly chilling.

The rest of the cast are all people you have seen in many other roles. They each commit and bring a level of heart that’s unmatched. There are also several scenes that are so graphic, I almost looked away and it must have been very difficult for everyone involved.

[SPOILER] My biggest issue with the film was Nat’s sudden discovery of the teachings of the bible and their hypocrisy. This is a man who has studied the bible for years and years, and all of a sudden he realizes this? And why doesn’t it cause him to revolt against it?  [END SPOILER]

I remember learning about The Birth of a Nation (1919) in a college film class. There’s no denying that it broke new ground, but the subject matter and story were undeniably racist and bigoted. Make sure you watch 13th, on Netflix now, as it gives some insight.

The controversy surrounding Nate Parker, the director, co-writer, producer, and star, has been overshadowing his film, but years in the future, it’s the film itself that will stand. Although it’s disjointed, the core story is very important and one that deserves to be told.

New ‘Youth’ Poster and Trailer are HERE!

We have the offical trailer and second movie poster for Italian director Paolo Sorrentino’s film, Youth.

Fred Ballinger (Michael Caine) is a retired orchestra cunductor who is offered a chance to perform at Prince Phillip’s Birthday. He receives the invitation while he is on holiday in the alps with his close friend Mick Boyle (Harvey Keitel) and Daughter, Lena (Rachel Weisz). Together they go on a musical and emotional journey of reminiscing in the past as well as taking on the possibilities of the future.

Fox Searchlight Pictures presents Youth on December 4th 2015.

New poster for David O. Russell’s ‘JOY’ with Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro & Bradley Cooper

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Drama
Release: December 25, 2015
Director: David O. Russell
Screenplay by: David O. Russell
Story by: Annie Mumolo and David O. Russell
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Edgar Ramirez, Diane Ladd, Virginia Madsen, Isabella Rossellini, Elisabeth Röhm and Bradley Cooper

SYNOPSIS
JOY is the wild story of a family across four generations centered on the girl who becomes the woman who founds a business dynasty and becomes a matriarch in her own right. Betrayal, treachery, the loss of innocence and the scars of love, pave the road in this intense emotional and human comedy about becoming a true boss of family and enterprise facing a world of unforgiving commerce. Allies become adversaries and adversaries become allies, both inside and outside the family, as Joy’s inner life and fierce imagination carry her through the storm she faces. Jennifer Lawrence stars, with Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Edgar Ramirez, Isabella Rossellini, Diane Ladd, and Virginia Madsen. Like David O. Russell’s previous films, Joy defies genre to tell a story of family, loyalty, and love.

JOY Official Channels
SITE: www.JoyMovie.com
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/JoyTheMovie
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/JoyTheMovie
INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/JoyTheMovie
OFFICIAL HASHTAG: #JoyMovie

Girls On Film Podcast: Brendan Gleeson, John Michael McDonagh & Kelly Reilly Chat About ‘Calvary’

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Kelly Reilly as “Fiona” and Brendan Gleeson as “Father James Lavelle” in CALVARY.

CALVARY’s Father James (Brendan Gleeson) is a good priest who is faced with troubling circumstances brought about by a mysterious member of his parish. Although he continues to comfort his own fragile daughter (Kelly Reilly) and to help members of his church with their various problems, he feels a foreboding sinister force closing in, and begins to wonder if he will have the courage to face his own personal Calvary.

In this episode of Girls on Film, Liz and Melissa talk about Calvary. Read More →