Tag Archives: Stephen Frears

Empire Records + High Fidelity

Empire Records + High Fidelity

Physical media day. A very modern look at Empire Records and High Fidelity. Empire Records, the underdog hero (or at least before the collective delusion that the underdog hero is Blockbuster Video or Tower Records). Found family vs the dicey proposition of working somewhere that asks you to “just think of us like family.” Tower Records as a destination venue. Where were you on Rex Manning day? When the independent record store was too much of a raging success that it just couldn’t stay open. High Fidelity brings everyone to Chicago. The top five listicles that signposted the coming of the end time. Movies about terrible people and the terrible people who misunderstand these movies. Feeling like getting back in touch with music? Explore the music map. Continue reading

Calvary + Philomena

Calvary + Philomena

Communities of faith. Finding Calvary in a sea of Calvaries. Bang! Introduction! The opening fiasco. Seven days in town. An excuse for slice-of-life. Is everyone a suspect? How suspicion taints perspective (or at least demands engagement and a careful eye). Calvary, beloved by atheists. Philomena and the weekly kick in the nuts. Hey, let’s go on a road trip! A different kind of brutality. A side of Steve Coogan we’ve actually always seen. Judi Dench wins everything always. Never trust a nun. An update on where all those Double Feature episodes went. Continue reading