In “Lost Highway,” Who Is the Mystery Man?
The Mystery Man is a representation of part of Fred's psyche.
Is “McFarland USA” Another “White Messiah” Narrative or a Balanced Look at Cultural Exchange?
On the surface, McFarland USA looks like another "white messiah" film about a white man swooping in to save people of color from a troubling life. With further examination, it's…
Why did “McFarland USA” Create the Fake Backstory About Jim White Being Fired From his Other School?
Thrusting White unwillingly into the culturally unfamiliar, low-budget, no-resources school district makes him as much of an underdog as the kids he’s coaching, which works better for the overall…
Did the Bridge Scene Depicted in “McFarland USA” Actually Happen?
While the filmmakers obviously manipulated the setting, dialogue and sequence of events for the film, the root of the encounter is authentic.
Is “Django Unchained” Historically Accurate and Does it Matter?
"Django Unchained" has some historically inconsistencies, but the film does not have a responsibility to be bound to history.
In “Django Unchained,” Why does Quentin Tarantino use Modern Music?
“Django Unchained’s” eclectic soundtrack includes a wide variety of songs, from modern-day rap to ‘70s pop. Instead of relying on period-authentic music, director Quentin Tarantino was more…
How Does “Django Unchained” Pay Homage to Other Westerns?
“Django Unchained” is a mishmash of many cinematic influences and pays tribute to a number of Tarantino's favorite "Spaghetti Westerns" most notably attributed to Italian…
How Did “Wake in Fright” Editor Anthony Buckley Save the Film?
When the original negatives of “Wake in Fright” disappeared, Anthony Buckley dedicated years of his life to traveling the world in search of the film.
In “Wake in Fright,” How Was the Kangaroo Scene Filmed?
One of the most horrifying movie scenes of all time, the “Wake in Fright” kangaroo hunt was 100% real. In fact, the scene was so disturbing that director Ted Kotcheff left almost all the bloody…
Is “Wake in Fright” a Horror Movie?
Sure, there aren’t any axe-wielding psychos, but this Australian classic doesn’t need gore to qualify as a horror film.
Did “Ballers” Miss the Boat With its Elaborate Party Scene in Episode Three of Season One?
"Ballers" Season One, Episode Three, takes place in a single setting, providing the characters with an intentional bottleneck which, in theory, forces story conflict to the surface.…
How Does “True Detective” S02E03, “Maybe Tomorrow,” Highlight the Concepts of Nature and Illusion?
"True Detective's" Season Two, Episode Three opened with a dream sequence, and proceeded to uncover many character traits and settings that are not as they seem on the surface.