Tag: Basquiat

REVIEW: Buffalo ’66 [1998]

Jared Mobarak

“Just look like we are a married couple … spanning time” In 2004 Christina Ricci was quoted in Time Out magazine as saying, “Buffalo ’66 was the most beautiful example of self-absorption I’ve ever seen in my life.” She’s not wrong. Even if she had a good experience on set and didn’t loathe writer/director/star Vincent Gallo like most involved on the film, she’d still not be wrong. Gallo’s character Billy Brown is the epitome of self-centered aggression mixed with an absolute lack of self-esteem—a description that describes Buffalo, NY in…

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Posterized Propaganda December 2011: Numbers and Faces

Jared Mobarak

“Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover” is a proverb whose simple existence proves the fact impressionable souls will do so without fail. This monthly column focuses on the film industry’s willingness to capitalize on this truth, releasing one-sheets to serve as not representations of what audiences are to expect, but as propaganda to fill seats. Oftentimes they fail miserably. December is here and the posters are many. With studio releases being pumped through NY and LA during the holidays for award consideration, the number of films coming out this…

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REVIEW: Moon [2009]

Jared Mobarak

“Dad, there’s someone asking about Mom” After an early career playing “thugs,” (see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Basquiat), Sam Rockwell began performing in supporting roles for many high profile indies in the early 2000s. It wasn’t until George Clooney, of all people, decided to step behind the camera for Confessions of a Dangerous Mind that he got his first real lead role, and did he ever take advantage. Well, he did as far as acting goes, maybe not job-wise because, besides a second lead in Ridley Scott’s Matchstick Men,…

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REVIEW: Le scaphandre et le papillon [The Diving Bell and the Butterfly] [2007]

Jared Mobarak

“We are all children” The tale of Jean-Dominique Bauby and his harrowing ordeal of being locked-in his own body after a debilitating stroke is devastating. I can’t wait to finally start reading it—it’s a bit down the queue, but has gone up a few spots after seeing the film—however, after watching the film version, I can’t help but commend director Julian Schnabel. The man is the go to guy when it comes to artistic biopics. From the magnificent portrayal of Jean-Michel Basquiat in his first foray with the media (much…

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Top 15 Films of 1996

Jared Mobarak

(short and sweet and to the point; culled from watching 44 releases. constantly updated as i catch up to those i missed. click poster for review if applicable) #15: Jerry Maguire directed by Cameron Crowe #14: The Birdcage directed by Mike Nichols #13: Primal Fear directed by Gregory Hoblit #12: Sling Blade directed byBilly Bob Thornton #11: Shine directed by Scott Hicks. #10: Basquiat directed by Julian Schnabel. #09: Bottle Rocket directed by Wes Anderson #08: From Dusk Till Dawn directed by Robert Rodriguez #07: Trainspotting directed by Danny Boyle…

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