Category: USA

  • THE FRENCH CONNECTION II

    THE FRENCH CONNECTION II

    “The French Connection II” is a 1975 psychological sequel to the Academy Award-winning film “The French Connection” (1971). Directed by acclaimed filmmaker John Frankenheimer, the film continues the story of brash New York narcotics detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle, again portrayed by Gene Hackman, in a performance that builds on the raw intensity of the original.…

  • THE HUNGER

    THE HUNGER

    “The Hunger” is a 1983 horror film directed by Tony Scott in his feature directorial debut. Inspired by the 1981 novel by Whitley Strieber, the film explores themes of immortality, desire, and decay and is noted for its Gothic aesthetic and erotic undertones. The story centers around Miriam Blaylock (Catherine Deneuve), an elegant and enigmatic…

  • SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT

    SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT

    “She’s Gotta Have It” is a landmark 1986 independent film and debut feature film of director Spike Lee, who also wrote the film. Shot in black and white on a shoestring budget over just twelve days, the film is a bold, witty, and stylistically innovative portrait of sexual agency, identity, and freedom. At the center…

  • JOYRIDE

    JOYRIDE

    “Joyride” is a 1977 crime drama with elements of a road movie, directed by Joseph Ruben, known later for The Stepfather and Sleeping with the Enemy. The film stars Desi Arnaz Jr., Robert Carradine, and Melanie Griffith, marking one of Griffith’s first significant screen appearances. It captures the disillusionment of 1970s American youth through a…

  • CAFÉ FLESH (NSFW)

    CAFÉ FLESH (NSFW)

    “Café Flesh” is a cult post-apocalyptic science fiction erotic film released in 1982. It was directed by Stephen Sayadian under the pseudonym Rinse Dream and co-written with Jerry Stahl (credited as Herbert W. Day). The film is widely regarded as a cult classic as it attracted conventional audiences into adult cinema. Besides its explicit content,…

  • POOR THINGS

    POOR THINGS

    “Poor Things” is a 2023 surreal, feminist science fiction comedy-drama film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. It is based on Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel of the same name. Known for its visual style, dark humor, and profound exploration of identity and liberation, the film has been widely acclaimed and won the Golden Lion at the 80th…

  • SACRED HOUSES: THE NEW BEVERLY CINEMA, LOS ANGELES

    SACRED HOUSES: THE NEW BEVERLY CINEMA, LOS ANGELES

    In this edition of the “Sacred Houses Series,” we pay homage to The New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles, California, as we continue to honor notable movie theaters worldwide. The New Beverly Cinema, located in Los Angeles, California, is one of the city’s most beloved and iconic revival movie theaters. It is known for its…

  • ISLE OF DOGS

    ISLE OF DOGS

    “Isle of Dogs” is a 2018 stop-motion animated feature film written and directed by Wes Anderson. Set in dystopian future Japan, the film blends adventure, satire, and political allegory with Anderson’s signature whimsy and emotional resonance. The story takes place in Megasaki City, Japan, 20 years in the future. A mysterious outbreak of “dog flu”…

  • AFTER HOURS

    AFTER HOURS

    “After Hours,” a 1985 film directed by Martin Scorsese, is a darkly comedic and surreal exploration of urban anxiety and existential frustration. Set over the course of one harrowing night in New York City’s SoHo district, the film follows mild-mannered word processor Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne), whose innocent quest for a casual date spirals into…

  • AMERICAN HUSTLE

    AMERICAN HUSTLE

    “American Hustle” is a 2013 crime drama and dark comedy directed by David O. Russell. It’s a partly fictionalized retelling of the FBI’s 1970s “Abscam” sting operation, focusing on cons, ambition, deception, and the blurred lines between truth and illusion. The story begins with Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), a small-time con artist who runs scams…