Kinophilia: Cinema, Curated

20/08/2024

In this edition of The Filmic 5 from Hanley On Film, we talk the latest horror sensation CUCKOO; the transcendent canon of Canadian auteur Patricia Rozema; a streaming doc that will break your heart; Zia Anger's MY FIRST FILM; and we bid farewell to a LEGEND.

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Your Weekly Film Update By Critic and Film Scholar Jack Hanley I. Film I Am Loving This Week CUCKOO (Dir. Tilman Singer) I am loving this stylistically transgressive sophomore offering from German director Tilman Singer that channels the best of the 80’s Central European Arthouse-horror tradition....

19/08/2024

Hanley On Film Recommends:

CUCKOO (Dir. Tilman Singer)

Loving this stylistically transgressive sophomore offering that channels the best of the 80’s Central European Arthouse-horror tradition. Tilman Singer deliciously seeks to exorcise the historical sins of the Fatherland, subverting “traditional” takes on patriarchal nationalism, eugenics, and N**i family values. Q***r, stylish, and unapologetically fun- the third act feels like the surrogate child of Cronenberg and Michael Mann by way of Andrzej Żuławski. Hunter Schafer is FU***NG TRANSCENDENT…welcome to the genre, Jules.

18/08/2024

More to come on this BRILLIANT little indie...get to the theaters NOW to still catch KNEECAP!

Irish language rappers Kneecap have thanked BBC Radio 6 Music after the station named the group’s first single as their obsessed track of the week.

18/08/2024

We are saddened to learn of the passing of legendary actress Gena Rowlands. A pioneer in independent film, Rowlands took risks with unconventional characters...

17/08/2024

Stylistically transgressive sophomore offering that channels the best of the 80’s Central European Arthouse-horror tradition. Tilman Singer deliciously seeks to exorcise the historical sins of the Fatherland, subverting “traditional” takes on patriarchal nationalism, eugenics, and N**i family ...

12/08/2024

Trailblazer. Icon. Legend.

Pam Grier EXPLODED onto our screens in the 1970s and blasted a new path for ass-kicking women in cinema. Now, this film legend comes HOME to Cofoh: Colorado Festival of Horror to discuss her amazing life and legacy in a conversation hosted by COFOH's own film historian and critic Jack Hanley!

Join us in a celebration of one of America's most important cinematic icons: from her roots in guerilla filmmaking and collaborations with Roger Corman, to her leading role in
America's Blaxploitation film movement becoming our first female action star, to her revival with Quentin Tarantino, to her glorious return to her horror roots.

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS this intimate conversation with a bonafide LEGEND as we celebrate the life and enduring legacy of Pam Grier- uncompromising, powerful, brilliant, and always, without fail, completely BADASS.

Get your tickets NOW: www.cofestivalofhorror.com
Poster art by the amazing Daniel Crosier!

06/08/2024

In this edition of The Filmic Five we talk the return of Yorgos, Watch a pulpy-noir animated short, Argue over the top 100 films that you probably haven't seen, discuss the the Czechoslovakian New Wave masterwork DAISIES, and revisit the grimy, golden age of Times Square in the movies.

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Your Weekly Film Update By Critic and Film Scholar Jack Hanley I. Film I Am Loving This Week KINDS OF KINDNESS (Dir. Yorgos Lanthimos) Still reeling in existential excitement from these nasty, brutish shorts...a brilliant return to form for arguably our most absurdist auteur. This surrealist and all...

18/07/2024

KINDS OF KINDNESS

Still reeling in existential excitement from these nasty, brutish shorts...a brilliant return to form for arguably our most absurdist auteur. This surrealist and allegorical anthology is the "Greek Weird" Yorgos that we precious few have always adored since ALPS and DOGTOOTH- bleak, cynical, and darkly funny.

While certainly not LOBSTER or SACRED DEER tier, it marks a daring return from his more recent (and safe) populist fare to his earlier absurdist and sick-to-the-stomach deconstructions of the very worst of our human inclinations- in this case, our foibles regarding capitalism, marriage, and religion in a series of three interconnecting shorts.

Stone is great and Plemons is utterly brilliant (especially in the first segment- arguably the standout) and the film-making is reliably masterful. It is certain that KINDNESS won't hit for most Americans or late-era Lanthimos converts- and I'm perfectly happy with that.

Isn't it EXHILARATING in these current times when you have NO FU***NG IDEA where a story is going to go? Cherish these gems when you find them- and welcome back, Yorgos.

17/07/2024

Every horror director since 2015 who cannot fathom how to creatively stick the third-act landing....

16/07/2024

Happy Barbara Stanwyck’s Birthday to all who celebrate…

15/07/2024

Perfect For These Times…

Kaurismäki's latest (and sadly, perhaps last) is a deeply plaintive and poetic love letter to human connection in an inhumane world that has no right being so damn charming and optimistic…beautiful and Chaplinesque in its unabashed love for humanity. Don’t miss this one.

12/07/2024

In this special YouTube edition, we talk Looney Tunes with the great Bill Plympton; critic Richard Brody gives you 3 MUST WATCH films of 2024; we remember Donald Sutherland; Demi Moore DARES you to tell her to smile; and Roger reveals the secret of life for movie lovers EVERYWHERE.

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Your Weekly Film Update By Critic and Film Scholar Jack Hanley I. Interview I Am Revisiting This Week I SIMPLY ADORE animation...and legendary animator Bill Plympton is an icon of American animation whose amazing work includes the feature IDIOTS AND ANGELS (2008) as well as over 25 animated shorts.

12/07/2024

Facebook Memories reminding me of that time we got to sit down with one of my animation HEROES- the BRILLIANT Bill Plympton. Bill was so gracious to discuss his influences, animation blogs, Disney vs Avery, French cinema, and his place in the new Canon of American Animators.

Check out his video interview as he plays "The 11 With Jack Hanley"- filmed by my man Chris Leising. Photo courtesy of my partner in crime Bryan Bonner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8b-jWYNNA4&t=536s

12/07/2024

The Good: Stellar performance by Maika Monroe; the unsettling dark and creepy aesthetic generated by Perkins cribbing Fincher; and that brilliant sound design.

The Bad: Far too many narrative stumbles in the pursuit of maintaining far too many pointless MacGuffins; the failure to land- and stick to- a genre lane makes for an erratically uneven tone; the lack of ambiguity that shamefully holds down the potential promise of subverting the genre.

The Ugly: Sorry, Cage Brigade- even Steven quickly figured out that the less you see the shark, the more terrifying it is. ;) *** of *****

Special Award: Cut bonus checks IMMEDIATELY to the marketing team for perhaps the most ambitious (and unearned) hype campaign since IN A VIOLENT NATURE.

11/07/2024

Behold the trailer for the film that sent Cannes into a FU***NG FRENZY...this one will be a body-horror cult classic- put money on it.

First movie trailer for The Substance starring Demi Moore.

11/07/2024

06/07/2024

In this edition of THE FILMIC FIVE, we talk about HOW TO HAVE S*X; Roy Kent's irreverent cinephilia; my interview with the LEGENDARY Mamie Van Doren; and what happens when Ayo Edebiri leaves The Bear and heads to The Criterion closet.

Your Weekly Film Update By Critic and Film Scholar Jack Hanley I. Film I Am Loving This Week While ashamedly late to this visceral, gut-punch of a feature debut, I simply cannot stop thinking about Molly Manning Walker's masterwork HOW TO HAVE S*X- winner of Cannes Un Certain Regard and

04/07/2024

As Emerson aptly noted, “…a man may be known by the books he reads”; at Kinophilia, we hold that we are best known, perhaps, by the films…

26/06/2024

2025 SLAMDANCE SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

The Slamdance Film Festival accepts films in every genre, on any topic, from every country around the world. We spotlight low-budget Narrative and Documentary Features by first-time directors, Breakout Features from non-first time directors, short films across genres, and episodes. We do not disqualify any films based on premiere status or date of completion.

Our festival program is selected entirely from our blind submissions pool and no films are given special treatment based on who made them or who they know. Over 200 Slamdance alumni filmmakers are responsible for the programming and organization of the festival. Comprised of a variety of backgrounds, interests, and talents, but with no individual filmmaker’s vote valued more than any other, Slamdance committees have been able to stay close to its original DIY spirit and continue to champion the bleeding-edge of contemporary filmmaking.

Festival Submit SUBMIT 2025 SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN! The Slamdance Film Festival accepts films in every genre, on any topic, from every country around the world. We spotlight low-budget Narrative and Documentary Features by first-time directors, Breakout Features from non-first time directors, shor...

20/06/2024

12/06/2024

Cinephile Horror Co-Conspirators!
I cannot more highly endorse the Telluride Horror Show not only as the BEST HORROR FILM FESTIVAL IN THE WORLD for horror fans- but for horror filmmakers as well. Their programming is top notch and features a remarkable balance of daring first time debuts, longtime Festival director returns, and the best curated batch of international horror ANYWHERE. Seriously.

I have had the pleasure of attending for the past few years, and give you my pledge that it will be an experience you will NEVER forget. But my endorsement comes with a WARNING: once you become part of this "family", you will NEVER escape... ;)

If you want to be forever hooked on horror, the 2024 Horror Show returns for its 15th edition October 11th-13th. I can't wait to gasp with you there in the dark.

Get your tickets now at telluridehorrorshow.com

09/06/2024

This Week In The Friday 5 we talk Orson Welles playing vampire; the glory of alternative movie posters; the latest docs from the 2024 Cannes Film Festival; the return of the Silent Film Series from Colorado Chautauqua; and my latest film course project.

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Your Weekly Film Update By Film Critic and Historian Jack Hanley I. Film Dispatch I Am Excited About This Week As we all (rightly) have been gushing over the narrative debuts featured at this year's 2024 Cannes Film Festival (I know I'm eagerly awaiting Sean Baker's ANORA, Jacques Audiard’s

06/06/2024

Have YOU Joined Yet?

The Slamdance Channel is thrilled to introduce three incredible new films for the month of June!

We’re proud to directly support independent filmmakers year-round through the Slamdance Channel, but we can’t do it alone. If you love Slamdance and you’ve been considering becoming a member of the Slamdance Channel, now is the time to join!

Members gain full access to our growing library of powerful, truly independent, films, along with access to the virtual festival in 2025!

Catch all three of these amazing films streaming on the Slamdance Channel today!

Big Fur:
Stalled:
Night on Floating Island:

slamdancechannel.com

03/06/2024

Was FURIOSA as frenetically well-acted or narratively propelled as its predecessor? Nope.

Was it oddly more mythic and emotionally infused with FAR more to actually SAY? Yup.

03/06/2024

Does FURIOSA match the acting and frenetic narrative propulsion of it's predecessor? Nope.

Oddly, is it more emotionally poignant with FAR more to actually SAY? Yup.

31/05/2024

In this edition of the Friday 5, we talk Rasoulof's "great escape", the best acting debuts of all time, the new slasher that made Patton Oswalt cover his eyes, that S*XY tennis movie soundtrack, and my upcoming reunion with the COOLEST action star OF ALL TIME.

Your Weekly Film Update By Film Critic and Historian Jack Hanley I. Film Moment I Am Loving This Week One of our great triumphs during my programming/hosting days at the Crested Butte International Film Festival was the selection and screening of Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof's 2020 masterwork...

26/05/2024

Colorado Film and Horror Fans- we have ROYALTY in the house for this year’s Colorado Festival of Horror- the LEGENDARY Pam Grier comes to COFOH to talk her early horror origins, being the WORLD’S first female action hero, and her return to the horror genre with THEM. Check out this amazing piece on an even more amazing life…and get your tickets NOW so you can join me in honoring one of our greatest American Icons!

She was a gun-toting goddess who made her name in blaxploitation films like "Coffy" and "Foxy Brown," and inspired director Quentin Tarantino to write a film...

26/05/2024

Me as America suddenly “discovers” Sean Baker today…

21/05/2024

I am THRILLED to be reuniting with an old friend...ONLY at this year's Cofoh: Colorado Festival of Horror, September 13th-15th, 2024!

Still the BEST and most BEAUTIFUL interview I have ever had the pleasure of conducting...love you, Pam! Cannot wait to see you in September so we can honor your LEGEND and LEGACY!

Get your tickets NOW at cofestivalofhorror.com

21/05/2024

Boulder Cinephiles! Due to popular demand we are releasing all the special guest class videos you may have missed during our sold-out "How To Watch A Movie" Cinema Series with Jack Hanley at the Dairy Arts Center.

Enjoy this WONDERFUL advice on Acting (and how it relates to from our dear friend and BRILLIANT actor, the great Jim O'Heir!

This is ""How to Watch a Movie: Part V - Acting" Jim O'Heir" by Dairy Arts Center on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people…