Marsha Z Dollinger

50 Best Movies of 2013 According to IMDB Users

Beyond Comedy and Drama: Netflix Has 76,897 Unique Microgenres – /Film

Among the <b>Netflix</b> faithful, the service’s hyper-specificity is something of an affectionate joke. Just about any movie database will differentiate …

Cuba leader Raul Castro warns of 'subversive campaign'

<b>Cuban President Raul Castro has warned that Cuba is confronting "ideological and political subversion aimed at toppling its socialist system".</b><p>In a speech commemorating the 55th anniversary of the Cuban revolution, Mr Castro said "global power centres" were "subtly introducing neo-liberal and …

Vince Gilligan Talks 'Breaking Bad' Regret, Hints at Mike's Return in 'Better Call Saul' – /Film

We know Saul Goodman (<b>Bob Odenkirk</b>) will be back for <i>Better Call Saul</i>, obviously. And potential appearances by Walt (<b>Bryan Cranston</b>) and Jesse (<b>Aaron</b> …

Telling Israel’s story through home movies

A new film documents the history of Israel through a series of home movies, presenting an intimate and nostalgic view of the country. Tom Brook reports.<p>Using an unusual approach, Israel: A Home Movie documents the history of the country through a collection of video clips shot by private …

Did Hollywood studios help the Nazis?

A controversial new book claims movie studios gave into the wishes of Hitler’s Germany. How true are its claims? And why is the subject still so raw? Tom Brook investigates.<p>Harvard scholar Ben Urwand is a mild-mannered man in his mid-30s whose new book, The Collaboration: Hollywood’s Pact with …

New York Film Festival: Eclectic documentary mix

The New York Film Festival offers a wide and varied mix of non-fiction films. Tom Brook considers three – from New York, Nepal and Egypt.<p>Feature films like Paul Greengrass’ Captain Phillips and Ben Stiller’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty are creating most of the buzz at the New York Film …

Le Week-end: Marriage, warts and all

Le Week-end is a new film by Notting Hill director Roger Michel: a portrait of a 30-year relationship that shows love isn’t always smooth sailing.<p>Le Week-end is a new film by Notting Hill director Roger Michel: a portrait of a 30-year relationship that shows love isn’t always smooth sailing.<p>Jim …

Is 12 Years a Slave too brutal to watch?

12 Years a Slave has been winning plaudits as well as criticism for its unflinching portrayal of slavery. Tom Brook interviews the film’s director, Steve McQueen.<p>12 Years a Slave is a fact-based film from director Steve McQueen (Hunger, Shame) that tells the story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel …

Slavery on film: What is Hollywood’s problem?

A new film, 12 Years a Slave is attracting attention for its brutal depiction of slavery. But why have directors been reticent to tackle the subject until now? Tom Brook reports.<p>Slavery is a dark chapter in US history. And surprisingly few Americans seem to know the full horror of what the …

The Book Thief: Bringing Markus Zusak’s novel to life

Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, and Sophie Nélisse star in an ambitious World War II drama. Tom Brook talks to the cast and crew.<p>A young girl buries her dead brother in the snow and is then almost immediately separated from her mother – possibly forever. These traumatic events open Markus Zusak’s …

Is there such a thing as a Jewish film?

There is a strong tradition of Jewish filmmaking in Hollywood and now in Israel. But what does cinema reveal about this unique culture? Emma Jones reports.<p>Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, the Marx Brothers, the Coen Brothers, Judd Apatow: they are all household names in Hollywood – and they’re all Jewish. …

The silver screen’s silver-hair boom

Movies made for and starring older people are thriving. Nicholas Barber discovers why cinema is having a senior moment.<p>It has nothing to do with flowers, but there is a new phenomenon in the film industry known as the Marigold Effect. It refers to a resurgent interest in characters who are, shall …

How Russia plans to take its films to the world

The country’s films have had difficulty finding audiences abroad – but this could change as filmmakers start thinking globally.<p>The idea of a national cinema that is seen abroad is a popular one – and now Russia wants international audiences to pay attention to its films.<p>Creating a global presence …

Eight films to watch in December 2013

The Bechdel Test: Can these rules end movie sexism?

A simple, three-point assessment points out how poorly represented women are in cinema. But can the Bechdel Test change anything? Lisa Schwarzbaum investigates.<p>Four Swedish cinemas recently made international headlines with their decision to post a different type of rating for the movies on their …

Is August: Osage County bound for the Oscars?

August: Osage Country is a portrait of a deeply troubled family, featuring strong performances from Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts – and it is tipped to collect a swag of awards. Tom Brook takes a look.<p>As the year draws to a close, the countdown to the Oscars begins in earnest. One film that looks …

American Hustle: Sex, scandal, and 70s hair

David O Russell’s new film stars Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence and is considered a major Oscar contender. Tom Brook talks to the stars.<p>David O Russell’s winning streak shows no sign of stopping anytime soon. The filmmaker’s recent movies The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook …

Can film help the Arab-Israeli peace process?

A batch of new films made in Israel and Palestine seek to cross the cultural divide, both on screen and off. But can movies really help bring about co-operation?<p>A political solution in the Middle East still seems like wishful thinking – but in 2013, are Arabs and Israelis moving slowly towards …

The 10 best films of the year

Eight films to watch in 2014

Guess How Many Times ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Used the F-Word to Become the New Title Holder

While the <i>Wolf of Wall Street</i> has been the subject of much debate over the past few weeks (shameless pimp of my own column!), there’s one fact about which we can all agree: <i>Wolf of Wall Street</i> is the new all-time F-word champion. <i>Wolf</i>‘s 506 uses of the F-word broke the previous record held by Spike …

‘Wolf Of Wall Street’ Breaks F-Word Record

The Golden Globe-nominated Martin Scorsese film used the F-word so many times, in fact, that it set a new record in an American feature film.<p>"The word 'f---' and its variants is used 506 times over 'The Wolf of Wall Street's' 180-minute running time," according to a Variety report.<p>Previously, the …

How I Learned to Swap Anxiety for Excitement

Photo: YouTube<p>"I'm so excited… I'm so excited… I'm so scared." These lines, uttered on an iconic episode of <i>Saved By The Bell</i>, were said by character Jessie Spano during a caffeine-induced meltdown, but they also contain some science-backed wisdom. Anxiety, fear, stress and performance are all …