Documentarian Marilyn Ness is arguably best known for her work as a producer for films such as Cameraperson, Trapped, 1971 and E-team. Many of her films have focused on how some of societies darkest times (trap abortion laws, government corruption, and international human rights violations) have also brought led to heroes willing to fight the good…
Month: December 2018
'That Way Madness Lies' a devastating, necessary story of family and mental illness
Sandra Luckow has been a working documentarian for more than two decades. Although she's occasionally included herself in her work, such as the feature Belly Talkers about ventriloquists (one of her other skills). But her new film That Way Madness Lies, is her most personal and painfully revealing film, documenting her brother's descent due to…
Queer Your Queue: Lesbian period pieces to watch after 'The Favourite'
Our readers may have seen that I had a lot of thoughts about The Favourite and its use of queer characters in a period piece. My main point in that article was that the stories we tell influence our internal realities, which then affects how we interact with our external realities. While simply watching “woke”…
‘The Favourite’ Queers The Past And The Present
I’m currently on a mission to get every queer person I know to see The Favourite. You could say it’s my “Favourite” movie of 2018, and since I’m writing this in late December you can really tell I’ve seen everything the year has to offer and chosen this decadent lesbian sweetmeat of a film out…
Christina Hodson's 'Bumblebee' tackles Transformers franchise with heart and humor
Hodson is one of the women in the genre on the rise in the industry, landing on the Blacklist three times before being tapped for Bumblebee. We’ll next see her name in the DC Universe with Birds of Prey (the Harley Quinn film starring Margot Robbie) and Batgirl. She’ll also be living out a childhood…
Watch at Home: ‘All About Nina’ & more from female filmmakers
FF2 Media’s new “Watch at Home” columns list the new films written and/or directed by women filmmakers that are newly available each week on DVD, Video On Demand &/or streaming services.
'Mortal Engines,' Peter Jackson and the future of fantasy film
Mortal Engines is a clear attempt at a new fantasy series by the team behind The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Co-written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Peter Jackson, the film takes place in a futuristic world where resources have greatly depleted and cities-on-wheels hunt each other.
Penny Marshall: A pioneer for women in film
Penny Marshall was a pioneer for women filmmakers. The actress, director and producer died December 17, leaving behind a lifetime of memorable work.
Film Forum hosts Q&A with 'Capernaum' filmmaker Nadine Labaki
On Friday, December 14, Film Forum screened the film Capernaum from acclaimed director, writer, and actor Nadine Labaki, boasting 18 awards and 16 nominations. Nadine Labaki’s tear-jerking, powerful movie Capernaum follows a young boy of roughly 12 years old in Lebanon. In the film, Labaki takes us through a whirlwind of a story showing the struggle…
The Quad Cinema premiers the 4K restoration of 'The Bostonians'
In Ruth Prawer Jhabvala’s adaptation of Henry James’ novel The Bostonians, a Boston feminist and a conservative southern lawyer compete in winning a young and impressionable girl’s heart and mind. (SYJ: 4/5) Review written by FF2 Media Intern Sophia Y. Jin This restoration of the film brings the ever-present theme of feminism to the forefronts…
Maria Pulera wants to embrace the weird and wild in 'Between Worlds'
Written and directed by Maria Pulera, the genre-bending Between Worlds weaves supernatural horror and erotic thriller together to create a wild, sometimes campy, often funny ride.
Today, it's OK to cry in baseball
When I was a little girl, I had a sweater that had an ‘L’ sewn onto the chest – just like Laverne DeFazio had worn on her sweater in the ABC sitcom Laverne & Shirley. I wore it because, obviously, my name is Lisa, but also because two of my favorite actresses at the time…
Watch at Home: ‘A Simple Favor’ & more from female filmmakers
Based on the book of the same name, Paul Feig's A Simple Favor offers a charming fun comedic thriller with a side dish of mystery.
Romance, class and heists in Stacy Cochran's 'Write When You Get Work'
Stacy Cochran takes a similar approach with her new romantic dramedy/heist film Write When You Get Work. In the world of New York high finance and Manhattan private schools, have-not Johnny (Finn Wittrock) pursues his ex-Ruth (Rachel Keller), an admissions officer, and gets entangled in the lives of the Nobles (Emily Mortimer and James Ransone),…
'Jeff Tries to Save the World' in Kendell Goldberg's debut film
Writer-director Kendell Goldberg, making her feature debut with Jeff Tries to Save the World (an extension of the short she made in college). Despite it’s big title, Goldberg has created an intimate and sweet story about Jeff (played by Jon Heder in one of his best performances) who takes great pleasure in his work as…
Women directors shut out of early award nominations
Despite the supposed advances for women in the entertainment industry fueled by the #MeToo movement of 2017, the first round of awards cycle nominations show little progress for acknowledging female directors.
Watch at Home: ‘The Miseducation of Cameron Post’ & more from female filmmakers
From Editor-in-Chief Jan Lisa Huttner: It is an honor to introduce our newest team member, Danielle Solzman (Managing Editor of Solzy at the Movies). Danielle's mission is to track films as they migrate from theatres in Manhattan to home screens everywhere (either on DVD, VOD &/or Streaming). So add FF2's "Watch at Home" link to your weekly…
The Bostonians 4K Restoration World Premiere—Q&A with James Ivory
The Quad in New York screened the World Premiere 4K Restoration of The Bostonians on November 30th 2018. The film boasts many awards and nominations, and is one of the many proud pieces created by the collaborating partners Director James Ivory and Writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. Jhabvala has won two Oscar awards and nominated for…
Danish director Pernille Fischer talks inspiration behind ‘Becoming Astrid’
Swedish author Astrid Lindgren is mostly remembered for Pippi Longstocking and Karlsson-on-the-Roof book series. Her numerous titles have been translated into 85 languages and published in more than 100 countries. Now, everyone will have a chance to see what teenage Astrid’s life was before she became this literary giant - Becoming Astrid opened November 23…
'The Long Dumb Road' offers modern take on buddy-road movie
For audiences who love annual viewings of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, there’s a new road comedy out in select theaters and on-demand. The Long Dumb Road is a bit of left turn from Hannah Fidell, whose previous dramas A Teacher and 6 Years, focused on deeply flawed women. The Long Dumb Road may be a…
Dumplin’ Author Julie Murphy On the Journey from Page to Screen
As Netflix's adaptation of her bestselling novel Dumplin' makes its debut, Murphy talks to FF2 Media about the experience of seeing her passion project reinterpreted onscreen.