Why is the Setting in “The Andromeda Strain” So Important?
The hellish, futuristic setting for "The Andromeda Strain" recalls Dante's Inferno and foreshadows the fatal consequences of scientific hubris.
How Does the Title of “Pawn Sacrifice” Highlight the Intense Political Stakes Underlying 1970s Chess?
The title of "Pawn Sacrifice" emphasizes that the players facing off in the film's chess matches are subject to the shadowy machinations of the dueling US and Soviet governments.…
How Does “Pawn Sacrifice” Make Chess Cinematic?
Bobby Fischer biopic "Pawn Sacrifice" uses every cinematic means possible to immerse us in the game of chess, while ignoring the mechanics of the game itself. The film is more interested…
Why Did the Show Creators Set “Bates Motel” in the Modern Day?
The series creators wanted to modernize the Bates Motel story without taking audiences out of the world they were already familiar with from Hitchcock's Psycho.
How Does the Revelation at the End of “Men and Chicken” Reflect Each Brother’s Personality?
The final reveal in "Men and Chicken" explains a lot about the brothers' eccentric personalities. (Spoiler alert.)
Are the Biblical References in “Men and Chicken” Intentional? What Do They Mean?
The two central characters of "Men and Chicken" -- Gabriel and Elias -- both take their names from the bible. Biblical references help us understand the life purpose of Gabriel, as he…
What is the tone of “Men and Chicken” and why does it work
The tone of bizarre Danish dark comedy "Men and Chicken" is ever changing, jumping from slapstick to black humor to serious drama. But somehow this Toronto selection manages to cohere…
How Does the Point of View Used in “My Skinny Sister” Service the Story?
Instead of focusing on the sister with an eating disorder, "My Skinny Sister" is told from her younger sister's point of view. The 12 year-old girl carries the emotional weight of…
Why Did Director Joe Swanberg Dedicate “Digging for Fire” to Filmmaker Paul Mazursky?
"Digging for Fire" director Joe Swanberg felt a kinship with Mazurky and a deep respect for his career. Thematically, "Digging for Fire" tackles many of the same issues as…
Are the LGBT relationships in “Addicted to Fresno” the film’s central focus
"Addicted to Fresno" director Jamie Babbit thinks it's important to depict more gay and lesbian characters onscreen, but the film's central focus is the codependent relationship…
How Does “Mistress America” Speak to Millennials While still Resonating with Older Audiences?
The protagonist's point of view in "Mistress America" speaks to millennials, but older audiences will note the film's resemblance to screwball comedies of the '30's…
What Are Some of the Influences “Der Nachtmahr” Draws From?
"Der Nachtmahr" is inspired by a painting from 1781, as well as many filmmakers and creature models from the past 40 years of cinema.