Tomorrow is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a national holiday for reflection and service. If you planned to celebrate the holiday through film, perhaps the most obvious choice is to see Selma, which plays throughout DC (including at the Avalon and Mazza Gallerie theaters close to American). Reviews are spectacular, and squabbling over historical accuracy […]
Continue readingEverything is Oscars! See the Academy Award nominees that have hit DVD
Earlier today, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominations for this year’s Oscars ceremony. It’s a solid if unsurprising list: Birdman and Boyhood earned big nods, and Jake Gyllenhaal is sadly nowhere in sight. For a full list of nominees that you’ll have to start learning the names of, check out […]
Continue readingВнимание! Preview the next season of The Americans at the Spy Museum (21+)
We like to offer passes to upcoming film events, but even the best of those (like one in which Jake Gyllenhaal apparently took selfies with everyone in the audience) are restricted to traditional theater and Q&A settings. You may ask: do we have anything classier to offer? Just for you, discerning patron, we’re proud to […]
Continue readingA behind-the-scenes look at how colorists change raw video into beautiful film
Much of the credit for the filmmaking process understandably goes to the directors, cinematographers, and editors, but many technicians work with film behind the scenes to create the final images that you see on screen. This is especially true for colorists. Notable films such as O Brother, Where Art Thou? use extensive color correction to […]
Continue readingFerris Bueller and The Dude join this year’s National Film Registry list
While everyone was out over break, the Library of Congress continued tradition by adding 25 new titles to its permanent archives in the National Film Registry. Each year, the National Film Preservation Board selects films that it deems “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” for preservation for future generations. It’s an eclectic collection that spans decades […]
Continue readingNew Acquisitions – December 2014
Lift your head up from your notebook and take a deep breath. Yes, it’s finals season, but you’ve gotta take some time for yourself. Maybe watch a movie or a TV show? We’re glad to aid and abet that sort of behavior. As we wind our into the last week of the semester, we have […]
Continue readingWatch the best films of the year in one thrilling montage
Another year in film is winding down, leaving a trail of Oscar contenders and Christmas movies as it passes into the horizon. December seems like as good of a time as any to look back on some of the great films that came out this year, everything from The Lego Movie to Gone Girl. We’re […]
Continue readingDoes The Wire work in HD? You be the judge
In a move even more controversial than their decision to launch a standalone streaming subscription service, HBO has decided to remaster classic television series The Wire in high-definition widescreen. The show, as directed by showrunner David Simon, was intended to be show in the 4:3 aspect ratio of standard-definition television sets. In the process of […]
Continue readingSee Top Five with Chris Rock… WITH Chris Rock!
You may have seen Chris Rock in the news recently from his controversial routine on Saturday Night Live or his candid interview about race in Vulture. He’s in the middle of a publicity tour for Top Five, his upcoming semi-autobiographical comedy that’s gotten rave reviews since it’s premiere at TIFF this year, even generating some […]
Continue readingAlternative programming: Return of the fanboys
We’re back from our Thanksgiving hiatus, and we hope we didn’t miss any too importa– is that a new Star Wars trailer?!!? Everyone has probably watched the trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens at least once since Friday, and we’re sure there are varied opinions about whether or not it honors the style and […]
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