Exclusive: Buffalo 8 has set a November 4 release date on Prime Video for James Hemings: Ghost In America’s Kitchen. The historical documentary follows the profound life of James Hemings, the first American to train as a chef in France, who at 8 years old was enslaved by Thomas Jefferson.
If you’ve ever eaten macaroni and cheese, French fries, crème brulée or ice cream you’ve enjoyed the contributions of Hemings, an older brother of Sally Hemings, who gave birth to six of Thomas Jefferson’s children. He also was a half-sibling of Jefferson’s wife Martha Jefferson, with whom he shared John Wayles as father.
When Jefferson was appointed Minister to France he selected, among others, Hemings to accompany him to Paris. There he trained to be a French chef and, in an era where enslaved people were purposefully kept illiterate, Chef Hemings learned to read, write and speak both English and French.
If you’ve ever eaten macaroni and cheese, French fries, crème brulée or ice cream you’ve enjoyed the contributions of Hemings, an older brother of Sally Hemings, who gave birth to six of Thomas Jefferson’s children. He also was a half-sibling of Jefferson’s wife Martha Jefferson, with whom he shared John Wayles as father.
When Jefferson was appointed Minister to France he selected, among others, Hemings to accompany him to Paris. There he trained to be a French chef and, in an era where enslaved people were purposefully kept illiterate, Chef Hemings learned to read, write and speak both English and French.
- 10/7/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Nearly two decades ago, Megan Mylan co-directed “Lost Boys of Sudan,” a memorable documentary chronicling hope and upheaval among seven young men who landed in the U.S. after surviving village massacres during that nation’s second civil war. (There has since been a third.) Enough has happened in the interval that Mylan’s new “Simple as Water” arrives in a very different climate, where such conflicts and their refugees are sociopolitical issues the world over.
Here, the subjects are four families pried apart by Syria’s ongoing civil war, their optimism if not their determination ebbing in the face of bureaucratic and other hurdles to reunion. Portraying exiles stuck in a holding pattern over which they have little control, “Water” is perhaps inevitably not as engrossing as “Lost Boys,” which had the advantage of witnessing real change in its protagonists’ lives. But it’s still . HBO is giving the...
Here, the subjects are four families pried apart by Syria’s ongoing civil war, their optimism if not their determination ebbing in the face of bureaucratic and other hurdles to reunion. Portraying exiles stuck in a holding pattern over which they have little control, “Water” is perhaps inevitably not as engrossing as “Lost Boys,” which had the advantage of witnessing real change in its protagonists’ lives. But it’s still . HBO is giving the...
- 11/12/2021
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: HBO Documentary Films has acquired worldwide and streaming rights to Simple as Water, a new documentary from Oscar winner Megan Mylan, which will hit theaters in limited release later this year before debuting on HBO, subsequently becoming available for streaming on HBO Max.
Mylan’s film is a meditation on the elemental bonds between parent and child. It takes audiences into Syrian families’ quests for normalcy and through a whirlwind of obstacles—to building life anew—examining the impact of war, separation and displacement.
The project was filmed in Turkey, Greece, Germany, Syria and the U.S. over the course of five years. It came to fruition through the joint efforts of small crews scattered across the world; many of those involved behind the scenes are Syrian refugees, themselves.
“I think of Simple As Water as a family love story celebrating the elemental bonds between parent and child,...
Mylan’s film is a meditation on the elemental bonds between parent and child. It takes audiences into Syrian families’ quests for normalcy and through a whirlwind of obstacles—to building life anew—examining the impact of war, separation and displacement.
The project was filmed in Turkey, Greece, Germany, Syria and the U.S. over the course of five years. It came to fruition through the joint efforts of small crews scattered across the world; many of those involved behind the scenes are Syrian refugees, themselves.
“I think of Simple As Water as a family love story celebrating the elemental bonds between parent and child,...
- 10/7/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Must get firewood to stay warm for the winter. This gorgeous, moving stop-motion animated short film is made by a filmmaker based in the city of Dunedin, New Zealand. Winter's Blight is a stop-motion short written and directed and animated by filmmaker Claire Campbell, and it's available to watch on Vimeo now after playing at festivals for a few years. The film tells the story of a reclusive elderly man Bill who livies in a remote forest in Central Otago. "This film has been a true labour of love and has received great support from the local film and Arts commission to get it made." It also features a really lovely score by fellow New Zealander composer Hanan Townshend, known for his work on feature films including To the Wonder, Knight of Cups, Strawberry Days, Semper Fi, and Blue Miracle. It's a dialogue-free short that is so tender and heartfelt,...
- 8/6/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Many a chef will tell you that fish and cheese don’t go together, but “Blue Miracle” says otherwise. Based on the true, headline-making story of an amateur Mexican team who won the world’s richest fishing tournament in 2014, Julio Quintana’s likable family film misses nary a cornball trick in Hollywood’s underdog-drama playbook, and just about pulls it off.
Viewers can see precisely where Quintana and co-writer Chris Dowling have embellished the saga of Cabo orphanage proprietor Omar Venegas, who led a handful of his teenage wards to that unlikely victory: “Blue Miracle” is awash with eleventh-hour peril and contrivance, reducing characters to stock figures to make plain sailing of its crowd-pleasing narrative. Audiences are unlikely to mind as they discover the film on Netflix: It’s a processed fish stick rather than a blue marlin steak, but it fills you up just the same.
That “Blue Miracle...
Viewers can see precisely where Quintana and co-writer Chris Dowling have embellished the saga of Cabo orphanage proprietor Omar Venegas, who led a handful of his teenage wards to that unlikely victory: “Blue Miracle” is awash with eleventh-hour peril and contrivance, reducing characters to stock figures to make plain sailing of its crowd-pleasing narrative. Audiences are unlikely to mind as they discover the film on Netflix: It’s a processed fish stick rather than a blue marlin steak, but it fills you up just the same.
That “Blue Miracle...
- 5/27/2021
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
At one point in The Book of Vision, a young woman spins around in ecstasy, arms spread wide like a whirling dervish, before falling to the grass. The D.P. has the camera eagerly follow her at waist height. It’s shot Steadicam and the lens is wide-angle. The cinematographer is Jörg Widmer, who recently shot A Hidden Life and has worked behind the camera in varying capacities in each of the director Terrence Malick’s films since The New World. At a glance, this spinning girl could have been plucked from any one of those movies. A closer look reveals it’s not a girl exactly but a subtly digitized image of one, as are the clouds and the trees.
The Book of Vision is the debut feature of Carlo Hintermann, a director whose work has never strayed too far from the reclusive Texan’s sphere. At the age...
The Book of Vision is the debut feature of Carlo Hintermann, a director whose work has never strayed too far from the reclusive Texan’s sphere. At the age...
- 9/5/2020
- by Rory O'Connor
- The Film Stage
Look, you don’t need us to tell you that Wonder Woman is a good movie (though we have, a few times, actually). Just look at its Rotten Tomatoes score, which sits at an admirable 93 percent. You know who might be jealous? Terrence Malick, whose last three (non-documentary) feature films—Song To Song, Knight Of Cups, and To The Wonder—average out at a tepid 45-percent approval rating.
So, should Malick maybe lend his inimitable style the superhero world? Hey, it’s not so far-fetched. Video artist Nelson Carvajal proves it with To The Wonder Woman, an impressive trailer that pairs the audio from To The Wonder with visuals from Wonder Woman:
By emphasizing Wonder Woman’s love story and scenic tableau over its action, the footage dovetails intriguingly with Javier Bardem’s solemn, starry-eyed monologue and Hanan Townshend’s stirring orchestral score.
Mostly, though, it serves as a ...
So, should Malick maybe lend his inimitable style the superhero world? Hey, it’s not so far-fetched. Video artist Nelson Carvajal proves it with To The Wonder Woman, an impressive trailer that pairs the audio from To The Wonder with visuals from Wonder Woman:
By emphasizing Wonder Woman’s love story and scenic tableau over its action, the footage dovetails intriguingly with Javier Bardem’s solemn, starry-eyed monologue and Hanan Townshend’s stirring orchestral score.
Mostly, though, it serves as a ...
- 6/8/2017
- by Randall Colburn
- avclub.com
Every week, IndieWire asks a select handful of film and TV critics two questions and publishes the results on Monday. (The answer to the second, “What is the best film in theaters right now?”, can be found at the end of this post.)
This week’s question:
Last Friday saw the release of Garth Davis’ “Lion,” the musical score for which is the gorgeous result of a collaboration between two giants of the neo-classical movement, Dustin O’Halloran and Hauschka. It’s just the latest indication that we’re living in a fascinating, vibrant time for movie music, and December boasts a number of films that will only add more fuel to that fire. With that in mind, we asked our panel of critics to name their favorite film score of the 21st Century.
Tasha Robinson (@TashaRobinson), The Verge
There are some really striking contenders out there, topped by Susumu Hirasawa’s manic,...
This week’s question:
Last Friday saw the release of Garth Davis’ “Lion,” the musical score for which is the gorgeous result of a collaboration between two giants of the neo-classical movement, Dustin O’Halloran and Hauschka. It’s just the latest indication that we’re living in a fascinating, vibrant time for movie music, and December boasts a number of films that will only add more fuel to that fire. With that in mind, we asked our panel of critics to name their favorite film score of the 21st Century.
Tasha Robinson (@TashaRobinson), The Verge
There are some really striking contenders out there, topped by Susumu Hirasawa’s manic,...
- 11/28/2016
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Welcome, one and all, to the newest episode of The Film Stage Show! In a special episode, we talk to composer Hanan Townshend on what it’s like to work with Terrence Malick on The Tree of Life, To the Wonder, Knight of Cups, and, most recently, Voyage of Time, as well as his producing efforts The Better Angels and The Vessel.
Subscribe on iTunes or see below to stream download (right-click and save as…).
MP3: The Film Stage Show Interview – Composer Hanan Townshend Talks Voyage of Time
The Film Stage is supported by Mubi, a curated online cinema streaming a selection of exceptional independent, classic, and award-winning films from around the world. Each day, Mubi hand-picks a new gem and you have one month to watch it. Try it for free here.
Subscribe below:
E-mail us or follow on Twitter and Facebook with any questions or comments.
Subscribe on iTunes or see below to stream download (right-click and save as…).
MP3: The Film Stage Show Interview – Composer Hanan Townshend Talks Voyage of Time
The Film Stage is supported by Mubi, a curated online cinema streaming a selection of exceptional independent, classic, and award-winning films from around the world. Each day, Mubi hand-picks a new gem and you have one month to watch it. Try it for free here.
Subscribe below:
E-mail us or follow on Twitter and Facebook with any questions or comments.
- 10/20/2016
- by Brian Roan
- The Film Stage
While the summer had a number of gems, our sights are now set on the majorly promising fall slate as we’ve highlighted 75 to keep on your radar. For a more specific breakdown, we now have our monthly rundown, which includes some Tiff and Venice films, and much more. It should also be noted that Michelangelo Antonioni‘s restored masterpiece La Notte will get a theatrical run starting on September 16 at NYC’s Film Forum, and will expand from there. Check out our recommendations below and let us know what you’re looking forward to.
Matinees to See: White Girl (9/2), Max Rose (9/2), The Academy of Muses (9/2), Zoom (9/2), Other People (9/9). Kicks (9/9), Dancer (9/9), London Road (9/9), Come What May (9/9), The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years (9/16), My Blind Brother (9/23), Girl Asleep (9/23), Goat (9/23), The Lovers and the Despot (9/23), The Magnificent Seven (9/23), Chronic (9/23), Sand Storm (9/28), Do Not Resist (9/30), Deepwater Horizon (9/30), Miss Peregrine’s...
Matinees to See: White Girl (9/2), Max Rose (9/2), The Academy of Muses (9/2), Zoom (9/2), Other People (9/9). Kicks (9/9), Dancer (9/9), London Road (9/9), Come What May (9/9), The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years (9/16), My Blind Brother (9/23), Girl Asleep (9/23), Goat (9/23), The Lovers and the Despot (9/23), The Magnificent Seven (9/23), Chronic (9/23), Sand Storm (9/28), Do Not Resist (9/30), Deepwater Horizon (9/30), Miss Peregrine’s...
- 9/1/2016
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Hanan Townshend‘s journey from college student to frequent collaborator with Terrence Malick didn’t involve high-powered agents, or rubbing shoulders with the director at a fancy cocktail party. Rather, it was Townshend answering a simple, generic classified ad that led to him working in the music department on “The Tree Of Life.” And from there, Townshend became […]
The post Exclusive: Hear 3 Tracks From Hanan Townshend’s Score For Terrence Malick Produced ‘The Vessel’ appeared first on The Playlist.
The post Exclusive: Hear 3 Tracks From Hanan Townshend’s Score For Terrence Malick Produced ‘The Vessel’ appeared first on The Playlist.
- 8/26/2016
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
"The past... the present... the future... A journey from the birth of the stars through the origin of humanity." Whoa. I can't wait for this, it looks so enchanting. Empire has released a trailer for the alternate full-length version of Terrence Malick's long-awaited documentary Voyage of Time. This version is called Voyage of Time: Life's Journey, a 90-minute feature extended from the separate Voyage of Time: The IMAX Experience which runs 45 minutes (see the trailer for that one) and is narrated by Brad Pitt. This version is narrated by Cate Blanchett, who you can hear in this trailer, and features all of the same footage with even more shots of the stars forming, and Earth being created, and life starting and evolving over millions of years of time. The score is by Simon Franglen & Hanan Townshend. You need to see this for yourself. Here's the first trailer...
- 8/19/2016
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
"Sometimes I think about how different things would be if that wave hadn't just struck in the middle of the night..." Wow. The first trailer has debuted for a film called The Vessel, executive produced by Terrence Malick, from filmmaker Julio Quintana. Starring Martin Sheen, the film is about a Catholic priest in a Latin American town destroyed by a tsunami ten years ago. This trailer is filled with some stunning imagery reminiscent of Malick's work and a tiny bit of the score by Hanan Townshend, the talented composer from Malick's Knight of Cups and To the Wonder. Where did this film come from?! It looks amazing! Also starring Lucas Quintana, Jacqueline Duprey, and Aris Mejias. Don't hesitate, just dive right into this. Here's the first official trailer for Julio Quintana's The Vessel, found on YouTube (via Tfs): Ten years after a tsunami destroyed a small-town elementary school with all the children inside,...
- 7/1/2016
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Following the gorgeous trailer for his long-awaited Voyage of Time and news that he’ll start shooting his next feature this month, today we have a look at another project from Terrence Malick. Martin Sheen, reteaming with the director over four decades after Badlands (although he was cut out of The Thin Red Line), leads the drama The Vessel, which is produced by Malick (along with frequent collaborator Sarah Green) and directed by Julio Quintana.
Ahead of a a release this September, the first trailer has landed today for the drama which follows Sheen as Father Douglas, a Catholic priest in a Latin American town, still rebuilding ten years after a tsunami. With a score by Malick regular Hanan Townshend, much of the imagery in the trailer will be familiar to fans of the director, though we’ll have to wait and see if it has the same spark.
Also starring Lucas Quintana,...
Ahead of a a release this September, the first trailer has landed today for the drama which follows Sheen as Father Douglas, a Catholic priest in a Latin American town, still rebuilding ten years after a tsunami. With a score by Malick regular Hanan Townshend, much of the imagery in the trailer will be familiar to fans of the director, though we’ll have to wait and see if it has the same spark.
Also starring Lucas Quintana,...
- 7/1/2016
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Dailies is a round-up of essential film writing, news bits, videos, and other highlights from across the Internet. If you’d like to submit a piece for consideration, get in touch with us in the comments below or on Twitter at @TheFilmStage.
Lav Diaz‘s new short, The Day Before the End, is now streaming on Mubi.
The legendary Anna Karina stopped by The Criterion Collection closet ahead of her BAMcinematek talk last week:
Composer Hanan Townshend discusses working Terrence Malick at Little White Lies:
“I came to the University of Texas where I was studying music composition, and my professor sent me an email one day from one of the producers who works with Terry, Nicolas Gonda. The email pretty much said, ‘Hey, we’re looking for a young composer who’s interested in working with an acclaimed director.’ That’s all. I replied to the email and...
Lav Diaz‘s new short, The Day Before the End, is now streaming on Mubi.
The legendary Anna Karina stopped by The Criterion Collection closet ahead of her BAMcinematek talk last week:
Composer Hanan Townshend discusses working Terrence Malick at Little White Lies:
“I came to the University of Texas where I was studying music composition, and my professor sent me an email one day from one of the producers who works with Terry, Nicolas Gonda. The email pretty much said, ‘Hey, we’re looking for a young composer who’s interested in working with an acclaimed director.’ That’s all. I replied to the email and...
- 5/9/2016
- by TFS Staff
- The Film Stage
With it being nearly four years since filming began, Terrence Malick‘s Christian Bale-led drama Knight of Cups is finally in limited theatrical release as of this past weekend. We’ve talked to those closest to him regarding the production and today we have one of the most integral aspects of the film: the soundtrack.
Following its Berlin premiere, we put together a playlist based on the all the music in the film amounting to nearly five hours, and now the official release includes some of the same tracks from various orchestras from around the world, along with the addition of Hanan Townshend‘s score. “It’s always an exciting process,” the composer tells Axs, noting that he never saw the film while doing the score. “Working away from the picture allowed me more freedom to write without the images and story as the driving inspiration.”
Check it out below in full,...
Following its Berlin premiere, we put together a playlist based on the all the music in the film amounting to nearly five hours, and now the official release includes some of the same tracks from various orchestras from around the world, along with the addition of Hanan Townshend‘s score. “It’s always an exciting process,” the composer tells Axs, noting that he never saw the film while doing the score. “Working away from the picture allowed me more freedom to write without the images and story as the driving inspiration.”
Check it out below in full,...
- 3/7/2016
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
It was on “The Tree Of Life” that composer Hanan Townshend first entered the sphere of Terence Malick. One of his pieces, "Eternal Pulse," was featured in the soundtrack, and he has since become a regular collaborator with the director. Townshend scored Malick's next feature, “To The Wonder,” and now he’s back to do the same on the upcoming “Knight Of Cups.” Starring Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, and a huge ensemble of actors, the film chronicles one man’s search for himself in the empty industry of Hollywood. And below, we have an exclusive listen to two of Townshend’s tracks for the film — “Water Theme No. 1” and “Distress” — providing an evocative backdrop for Malick’s film of spiritual and personal musings. Read More: All The Songs In Terrence Malick's 'Knight Of Cups': Lots Of Classical, Plus Tracks By Explosions In The Sky, Burial,...
- 2/16/2016
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Check out the official Us poster for Knight Of Cups.
The 7th film from director Terrence Malick (The Thin Red Line, Tree of Life), Knight Of Cups (the title refers to the Tarot card depicting a romantic adventurer guided by his emotions) offers both a vision of modern life and an intensely personal experience of memory, family, and love.
Opening on March 4, watch the trailer below.
Knight Of Cups follows writer Rick (Christian Bale, The Fighter, American Hustle) on an odyssey through the playgrounds of Los Angeles and Las Vegas as he undertakes a search for love and self. Even as he moves through a desire-laden landscape of mansions, resorts, beaches and clubs, Rick grapples over complicated relationships with his brother (Wes Bentley) and father (Brian Dennehy). His quest to break the spell of his disenchantment takes him on a series of adventures with six alluring women: rebellious Della (Imogen Poots); his physician ex-wife,...
The 7th film from director Terrence Malick (The Thin Red Line, Tree of Life), Knight Of Cups (the title refers to the Tarot card depicting a romantic adventurer guided by his emotions) offers both a vision of modern life and an intensely personal experience of memory, family, and love.
Opening on March 4, watch the trailer below.
Knight Of Cups follows writer Rick (Christian Bale, The Fighter, American Hustle) on an odyssey through the playgrounds of Los Angeles and Las Vegas as he undertakes a search for love and self. Even as he moves through a desire-laden landscape of mansions, resorts, beaches and clubs, Rick grapples over complicated relationships with his brother (Wes Bentley) and father (Brian Dennehy). His quest to break the spell of his disenchantment takes him on a series of adventures with six alluring women: rebellious Della (Imogen Poots); his physician ex-wife,...
- 1/27/2016
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Broad Green Pictures has released two brief clips, more like seconds, from Knight Of Cups.
The never-before-seen footage was created by filmmaker Terrence Malick and his team.
The film opens in cinemas on March 4.
Knight Of Cups follows writer Rick (Christian Bale, The Fighter, American Hustle) on an odyssey through the playgrounds of Los Angeles and Las Vegas as he undertakes a search for love and self.
Even as he moves through a desire-laden landscape of mansions, resorts, beaches and clubs, Rick grapples over complicated relationships with his brother (Wes Bentley) and father (Brian Dennehy). His quest to break the spell of his disenchantment takes him on a series of adventures with six alluring women: rebellious Della (Imogen Poots); his physician ex-wife, Nancy (Cate Blanchett); a serene model Helen (Freida Pinto); a woman he wronged in the past Elizabeth (Natalie Portman); a spirited, playful stripper Karen (Teresa Palmer); and an...
The never-before-seen footage was created by filmmaker Terrence Malick and his team.
The film opens in cinemas on March 4.
Knight Of Cups follows writer Rick (Christian Bale, The Fighter, American Hustle) on an odyssey through the playgrounds of Los Angeles and Las Vegas as he undertakes a search for love and self.
Even as he moves through a desire-laden landscape of mansions, resorts, beaches and clubs, Rick grapples over complicated relationships with his brother (Wes Bentley) and father (Brian Dennehy). His quest to break the spell of his disenchantment takes him on a series of adventures with six alluring women: rebellious Della (Imogen Poots); his physician ex-wife, Nancy (Cate Blanchett); a serene model Helen (Freida Pinto); a woman he wronged in the past Elizabeth (Natalie Portman); a spirited, playful stripper Karen (Teresa Palmer); and an...
- 1/8/2016
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Hanan Townshend might be best known at the moment for his work with Terrence Malick. He contributed material to "The Tree Of Life," before being promoted to the main gig of scoring the director's "To The Wonder," his upcoming "Knight Of Cups," as well as the Malick-produced "The Better Angels." That certainly opened some doors for Townshend, who scored the upcoming wartime drama "Echoes Of War," and today we have exclusive preview of three tunes from the soundtrack. Read More: Hanan Townshend Reunites With Terrence Malick To Score 'Knight Of Cups' James Badge Dale, Maika Monroe, Ethan Embry, and William Forsythe star in the Kane Senes-written and directed movie that follows a soldier who returns home to Texas haunted by the Civil War, only to spark up a conflict between his family and a cattle rancher neighbor. Across the three tracks below is more evidence of Townshend's...
- 5/12/2015
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Jerry Goldsmith, Planet Of The Apes (1968) Nominee for Best Original Score for a Motion Picture
By Michelle McCue and Melissa Thompson
As 2014 comes to a close, we take a look back at some of the best movie music from this past year. The backbone of any movie, audiences heard rocket engines roar, traveled through Lego worlds and made spiritual connections all thanks to the musical vision of the composer.
In a mix that was soulful, haunting and fun, this year’s soundtracks covered a range of emotions, from light to dark, to atmospheric and assaultive.
Our Top 15 scores wouldn’t be complete without an honorable mention…
Michael Giacchino – Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes
The story about the birth of a civilization and “restart” for the planet Earth was no more prevalent than with the emotional reality of composer Michael Giacchino’s score. Director Matt Reeves’ sequel to 2011’s...
By Michelle McCue and Melissa Thompson
As 2014 comes to a close, we take a look back at some of the best movie music from this past year. The backbone of any movie, audiences heard rocket engines roar, traveled through Lego worlds and made spiritual connections all thanks to the musical vision of the composer.
In a mix that was soulful, haunting and fun, this year’s soundtracks covered a range of emotions, from light to dark, to atmospheric and assaultive.
Our Top 15 scores wouldn’t be complete without an honorable mention…
Michael Giacchino – Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes
The story about the birth of a civilization and “restart” for the planet Earth was no more prevalent than with the emotional reality of composer Michael Giacchino’s score. Director Matt Reeves’ sequel to 2011’s...
- 12/30/2014
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Movies can be bad for a myriad of reasons. They can be sloppily made, poorly acted, incoherently written, or just offensively stupid. However, I think the biggest sin you can label a film is "boring". I have opted to spend ninety minutes with someone's creation, and if I am not engaged, even in a negative way, that is the biggest failing I think a film can manage. I would much rather a film be aggressive in its badness than to lull me to sleep. It would at least spark some kind of passion in me. Art should bring about a reaction. This brings me to The Better Angels, which is a prime offender of the boring moniker. It is a class one Terrence Malick knock-off devoid of story and had me fighting to stay awake from the first minute. It just goes to show you pretty pictures are not enough.
- 11/4/2014
- by Mike Shutt
- Rope of Silicon
When learning of yet another film tackling the life of the distinguished American president Abraham Lincoln, you’d be excused for reacting with a mere rolling of the eyes. However, despite becoming a somewhat tired cinematic stomping ground, first-time filmmaker A.J. Edwards, presents his debut feature with a little more ingenuity, tackling the early years of the renowned head of state. Every inspiring historical figure was once a child, and this conveys that notion with a brooding style, and elusive beauty, working as an antidote to Steven Spielberg’s recent endeavour.
Played as a young boy by Braydon Denney with a subtle, yet infectious vitality, we explore his upbringing in the uncompromising Indiana wilderness, with his parents Nancy (Brit Marling) and Tom (Jason Clarke), with the latter a fair authoritarian, to balance out the former’s more progressive, equitable approach. As we attempt to comprehend what shaped this child into...
Played as a young boy by Braydon Denney with a subtle, yet infectious vitality, we explore his upbringing in the uncompromising Indiana wilderness, with his parents Nancy (Brit Marling) and Tom (Jason Clarke), with the latter a fair authoritarian, to balance out the former’s more progressive, equitable approach. As we attempt to comprehend what shaped this child into...
- 2/13/2014
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
While "Knight Of Cups" and "Untitled Music Scene Movie That Probably Won't Have Christian Bale In It Anymore" are still out in the wild, waiting to be completed, for those aching for some more Terrence Malick, this is one affiliated project that will get your 2014 off to a happy start. The reclusive director is producing "The Better Angels," the directorial debut of his protégé and collaborator A.J. Edwards. Jason Clarke, Diane Kruger, Brit Marling and Wes Bentley star in this evidently black-and-white film about the early years of Abraham Lincoln, with Kruger and Clarke as his parents. The official synopsis: Set in the harsh wilderness of Indiana, this is the story of Abraham Lincoln’s youth. It tells of the hardships that shaped him, the tragedy that marked him forever, and the two women who guided him to immortality. Hanan Townshend ("To The Wonder") is scoring the film, and yeah,...
- 12/5/2013
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Terrence Malick has let many collaborators into his secretive, creative lair but only a select few have become regulars. But it looks like Hanan Townshend will join folks like production designer Jack Fisk, editor Billy Weber and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki as one of the lucky few. The composer has reunited with the filmmaker to score the director's upcoming "Knight of Cups," his second straight gig with Malick after composing the score for "To the Wonder." Of course, little is actually known of the plot, but it will feature in varying capacities (depending on who gets cut or not): Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Isabel Lucas, Antonio Banderas, Wes Bentley, Imogen Poots, Freida Pinto, Teresa Palmer, Ryan O'Neal, Jason Clarke, Joel Kinnaman and Shea Whigham. But that's not all Townshend is working on. He's also been hired to contribute additional music to the Malick-produced "The Green Glade Rises," which...
- 12/3/2013
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
In the wake of The Tree of Life, cinephiles expected the impossible of Terrence Malick’s follow-up feature, and when it failed to meet their demands, critics decided to rain hellfire on To The Wonder, trashing it for what many deemed as heavy handed poeticism and an indulgence in Malick’s signature traits. Now, there were plenty of valid reasons for this argument, but looking back at the film a year after its debut at Venice, it seems as if we may have misjudged a bit. Originally, I was on the fence, neither hating nor adoring it, but free of expectations, Malick’s modern romance feels fresh, alive and much more cohesive than memory recalls.
Strangely, it’s memory itself that the film seems to be most about this time around. Though obviously a story of transcontinental love between a suburban dwelling American named Neil (Ben Affleck) and a Parisian...
Strangely, it’s memory itself that the film seems to be most about this time around. Though obviously a story of transcontinental love between a suburban dwelling American named Neil (Ben Affleck) and a Parisian...
- 8/20/2013
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
★★★★☆ Following up 2011's Palme d'Or-winning The Tree of Life was always going to be a tough gig for American auteur Terrence Malick, but few commentators could have predicted the huge division of opinion that new film To the Wonder would provoke. Released this week on DVD and Blu-ray, To the Wonder sees Malick collaborating once again with Mexican cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki (combining to predictably resplendent effect), and whilst criticism has been raised over the film's lack of narrative drive and its high-faluting voiceovers, this is still very much a partner piece to The Tree of Life's quest for everyday divinity.
Academy Awarder Ben Affleck (unlikely to work with Malick again following a recent spat) stars as American overseas Neil, who falls in love with Ukrainian single mother Marina (Olga Kurylenko) during a stay in Paris. Marina and her young daughter - from a previous marriage - agree to travel...
Academy Awarder Ben Affleck (unlikely to work with Malick again following a recent spat) stars as American overseas Neil, who falls in love with Ukrainian single mother Marina (Olga Kurylenko) during a stay in Paris. Marina and her young daughter - from a previous marriage - agree to travel...
- 6/17/2013
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
How does Malick's latest effort fit into the filmmaker's oeuvre? Featuring Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, and Sean Penn, Malick's existential drama The Tree of Life, released two years ago, is the obvious seed stock for To the Wonder. (Pictured above: Olga Kurylenko, Ben Affleck's romantic interest) Those two efforts are twins both thematically and stylistically -- though, admittedly, they are also closely related to his entire oeuvre. From his 1970s' efforts Badlands and Days of Heaven, Malick’s interests have always been expounded upon. Among those is what one could call a “wonder” at all things that have not been created by Man, and therefore likely created by God, besides philosophical ponderings about things that were created by Man, such as disharmony with nature and both external and inner conflicts. The New World, for example, has little if any historical relevance; on the other hand, this 2005 effort features much...
- 4/12/2013
- by Tim Cogshell
- Alt Film Guide
We recently premiered the soundtrack to the the film, "Loves Her Gun." Directed by Geoff Marslett, we listed it as one of our 10 Films To See At SXSW Film Festival 2013, and part of that is due to the score by Hanan Townshend. The up-and-coming composer hit on everyone's radar when he popped up contributing bits of music to Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life," and even more so when he got the coveted gig to score all of Malick's next film, "To The Wonder." While there's no original music to listen to yet -- many of the pre-existing compositions that appears in the film were revealed last year (you can listen to plenty of it here) -- what has been unveiled by Lakeshore Records and Amazon is the artwork and soundtrack details for the film which include 12 Townshend original pieces, orchestral pieces by Bach, Wagner and another Townshend track...
- 3/23/2013
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
While you might not know the name Hanan Townshend, the fast-rising composer is truly on the cusp of recognition by cinephiles. Later this year, you'll be able to hear his work as composer on Terrence Malick's "To The Wonder," and as fans of the filmmaker may already know, Townshend also contributed to the soundtrack of "The Tree Of Life." And starting this weekend in Austin, Texas you'll be able to hear even more of his skilled work as he has provided the score to one of our 10 Films To See At SXSW Film Festival 2013 -- Geoff Marslett's "Loves Her Gun." Starring Trieste Kelly Dunn, the drama follows a woman who moves from New York to Austin to feel safer after she's attacked, and gets involved in Texas gun culture. It's potent stuff, with a potential powderkeg of themes given some of the headlines we've seen in recent months,...
- 3/7/2013
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
To the Wonder will finally, finally unveil itself at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday, and reviews from scenic Italy would, normally, be the most substantial reports on the film so far. A few days out from its first screening, after all, the closest thing to an update involves those who didn’t make it past Terrence Malick’s editing scissors.
Update: The first reviews have arrived from Venice, check them out here and read on for more details below.
Before that, we’ve got something which, if you’ll excuse the overwhelming bravado, peels back far more layers than anything else up to this point, possibly more than anything short of seeing the actual film. “That’s not saying much,” one could argue, and they’d be right — again, you only know Rachel Weisz probably won’t attend the premiere — so how about a full synopsis, eye-opening comments from Ben Affleck,...
Update: The first reviews have arrived from Venice, check them out here and read on for more details below.
Before that, we’ve got something which, if you’ll excuse the overwhelming bravado, peels back far more layers than anything else up to this point, possibly more than anything short of seeing the actual film. “That’s not saying much,” one could argue, and they’d be right — again, you only know Rachel Weisz probably won’t attend the premiere — so how about a full synopsis, eye-opening comments from Ben Affleck,...
- 8/31/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Hanan Townshend has been selected to score Terrence Malick’s latest film To The Wonder.
New Zealand-born Townshend, who contributed a few pieces of music to Malick’s The Tree of Life, is relatively unknown in the world of composing, having only scored one other feature film in the past, Patrick Gillies’ The Holy Roller.
Starring Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Olga Kurylenko, Michael Sheen, Javier Bardem and Rachel Weisz, To The Wonder centers on a man who reconnects with a woman from his hometown after his marriage falls apart.
To The Wonder will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in early September, and is likely to propel Townshend’s talents – or lack of them – into the ears of the masses.
A UK release date has yet to be confirmed by the distributor, but we’ll be sure to let you know when it’s been set.
Source: The Playlist...
New Zealand-born Townshend, who contributed a few pieces of music to Malick’s The Tree of Life, is relatively unknown in the world of composing, having only scored one other feature film in the past, Patrick Gillies’ The Holy Roller.
Starring Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Olga Kurylenko, Michael Sheen, Javier Bardem and Rachel Weisz, To The Wonder centers on a man who reconnects with a woman from his hometown after his marriage falls apart.
To The Wonder will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in early September, and is likely to propel Townshend’s talents – or lack of them – into the ears of the masses.
A UK release date has yet to be confirmed by the distributor, but we’ll be sure to let you know when it’s been set.
Source: The Playlist...
- 8/14/2012
- by Jamie Neish
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Bits and pieces. That's how information regarding Terrence Malick's films generally tend to arrive, and it's not different for his upcoming "To The Wonder." What we know so far is that it stars Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Olga Kurylenko, Javier Bardem, Rachel Weisz and Barry Pepper and will center on a man who goes to Europe, falls in love, comes back home to get married, only to rekindle a romance with a childhood sweetheart. Of course, that is likely just a starting point for whatever Malick chooses to explore, in his first film to run under 2 hours since "Days Of Heaven," that will be rated R and supposedly even more experimental than "The Tree Of Life." And now another puzzle piece has emerged. Malick has enlisted Hanan Townshend to score the upcoming movie, bringing in a relatively fresh face after working with folks like Alexandre Desplat, James Horner and...
- 8/13/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
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