Film
‘Four Lions’ Mines Humor from Terrorism
“Four Lions” doesn’t shy away from controversy, presenting a world in which the terrorists seem no worse than any other character.
‘Megamind’ Offers Simple Tale, Sumptuous Visuals
Even though “Megamind” may not stretch far beyond the expectations of a modern children’s movie, it certainly demonstrates a new take on the age-old battle between good and evil, wrapped up in a stunning visual package.
‘Hornet’s Nest’ Is Best Left Undisturbed
Corruption, violence, death threats, murder-suicides, and a daring investigative journalist out to set the truth free—“The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest” has all the makings of a Hollywood thriller. But its attempts to realize the edge-of-your-seat excitement of a blockbuster are lost somewhere amidst a confused jumble of guns, fights, and fast-paced action
Danny Boyle Talks Eclecticism, ‘Hours’
Now, in “127 Hours,” perhaps the grittiest film of his entire career, director Danny Boyle has turned his attention, for the first time in over a decade, to realism.
Pedro Costa's Post-Documentary
Internationally acclaimed Portuguese filmmaker Pedro Costa arrives at the Harvard Film Archive (HFA) this Sunday at 7:00 p.m. to present ...
‘Stone’ Embraces Moral Ambiguity
A man stumbles drunkenly down a dark alleyway in pursuit of his victim, pins him against a wall, and holds a revolver to his neck. It’s a familiar scene, but in John Curran’s “Stone,” it is parole officer Jack Mabry (Robert De Niro) who brandishes the gun, and convicted criminal “Stone” (Ed Norton) who finds himself within inches of his life
Portrait of an Artist: Harun Farocki
Czechoslovakian-born filmmaker Harun Farocki has used video games, soccer matches, and remote weaponry as subjects for his films. No stranger ...
‘Conviction’ Filmmakers Find Art in Reality
Betty Anne Waters believes her brother would be proud of "Conviction." “Kenny would be so excited right now,” Waters states. “Kenny would be king. He would be thrilled. He would have loved this movie.”
‘Hereafter’ Weaves A Bleak Tapestry of Death and Beyond
Clint Eastwood’s “Hereafter” is a harsh film. In almost every frame, there is pain, crowding around the edges and waiting to reenter the scene even during the movie’s brief romantic respites.
HFA Screens Film on Quake in China
The director of “1428”—a documentary about the aftermath of the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan, China, that killed about 70,000 people—spoke yesterday night about his experience filming the trauma of those who suffered.
Panel Sees Value in Children's Literature
Children’s literature is more important than ever in an increasingly fast-paced society, according to a panel of five authors and two filmmakers hosted by the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
A Man-Made Natural Disaster?
Director Haibin Du fields questions Tuesday evening at the Harvard Film Archive concerning the technique and perspective of "1428", a film chronicling the aftermath of the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake.
Speaker panel at "Library and the Early Mind"
Lois Lowry, Lesléa Newman, and other renowned members of the literary community speak at the "Library of the Early Mind" documentary reception.
‘Drewe’ Director Discusses His New Adaptation
“It’s very funny and very sexy… What more could you want?” asks director Stephen Frears, who delivers his characteristically ironic, British wit in his new adaptation of an adaptation, “Tamara Drewe.”
Drew Faust Weighs in on 'The Social Network'
University President Drew G. Faust said she was tickled by a scene in "The Social Network" that takes place in a fictionalized version of her office in Mass. Hall.
‘Drewe’ Revels in Tedious Mayhem
Stephen Frears’s new film “Tamara Drewe” unfortunately combines a cast of unlikeable characters with a convoluted, unfocused plot that work together to create a largely frustrating viewing experience.
‘Red’ Isn’t Ready to Retire
All ages and demographics should get a kick out of "Red," and most will probably wish that they could be badass enough to be classified “Retired, Extremely Dangerous” in old age.
Jury Rules Against ‘Conviction’
Featuring a star-studded cast and a gripping true-life narrative, “Conviction” seems a recipe for box office and award-season success, yet the film veers disappointingly into overly sensational moralizing which frequently trivializes its source material.
‘Secretariat’ Is Simple, Yet Satisfying
Though based on a true story, the seemingly magical relationship between Ms. Chenery and Secretariat seems a bit too perfect to be believed. But staying true to Disney form, the film is still surprisingly mesmerizing in spite of its adherence to strict conventions.
Lane Reminisces on Childhood
Actress Diane Lane explains how her youthful love of horses led her to “Secretariat”
Howling for Free Speech
Encapsulating the rise of the 1950s “Beat” counter culture, "Howl" entwines a number of threads, including aesthetically-astounding animations; recreations of the events of Ginsberg’s life; and a dramatically-imagined depiction of the obscenity trial in 1957.