The climax in movies is a beautiful thing. If a film can funnel the intricacies of its plot into one moment of breathtaking resolution, it makes the viewer’s experience more rewarding. This year, AFI Fest has had an abundance of movies that build up to one significant scene which have, for the most part, worked […]
Category Archives: Film & TV
To View or Not to View: ‘Master of None’ and ‘Louie’
In the war zone that is the fall TV season, it’s important to pick out the gems hidden in the media mesh. Each week, A&E columnist Sebastian Torrelio will profile one new show and one returning show that share a connection, detailing how they may make those after-school hours more meaningful. The present day’s “Golden […]
AFI Fest Day Four: Social issues not foreign to international films
One of the most fascinating things about the American Film Institute Festival is the crowd of foreign filmmakers on show. With a host of international selections comes a host of international viewpoints. Many of the films at this year’s festival portray the realities of social issues from the standpoint of other nations – some of […]
AFI Fest Day Three: Absurdity and sensationalism at AFI Fest
Michael Moore said he prefers nonfictional film when he introduced his newest documentary, “Where to Invade Next,” at the Egyptian Theater on Saturday evening. The world, both cinematically and otherwise, is too fictional, and documentaries help balance things out, he said. Moore makes a living out of poking holes in the zaniness of real life, […]
Movie Review: ‘Spectre’
He races a vintage Aston Martin through narrow streets, has gorgeous girls fall into his arms, all while sipping a dry martini, shaken, not stirred. His name is Bond, James Bond. There have been 23 James Bond movies to date, and it’s fair to say the series has had its highs and lows. It began […]
AFI Fest Day Two: From Angelina Jolie’s “By the Sea” to draconian-setting of “The Lobster”
For the 2015 American Film Institute’s opening night gala, director Angelina Jolie showed off the slow-burner to end all slow-burners. “By the Sea” features Jolie and husband Brad Pitt as a married couple trying to recuperate after several years of lackluster love and non-interaction by staying at a oceanside hotel in France. For over two […]
AFI Fest Day One: Three must-see entries
Over 75 films are being shown this year at the American Film Institute Festival. AFI is Los Angeles’ largest annual celebration of independent films from around the world, in addition to American prestige pictures just in time for the end-of-year Oscar season. The Daily Bruin’s Sebastian Torrelio will be covering the festival throughout the week, […]