Monthly Archives: January 2011

Hollywood Hot Over ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’

Posted on January 17, 2011 by | 1 comment

Do you remember Hemery High School’s vampire slayer?  Sure you do, her name was Buffy (Kristy Swanson).  Now, imagine Buffy with a full-grown beard, over-sized top hat and axe and you’ll get a good idea of Hollywood’s hottest project: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

Continue reading →

1 Comment

Posted in News

Tagged , , ,

Awards Show Rewind: The Golden Globes

Posted on January 17, 2011 by | Leave a comment

The Golden Globes aren’t the most anticipated awards show but it’s still a good time and often, the winners go on to win Oscars. So, who struck gold and who struck out this past year?

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in News

Tagged ,

Hanna trailer: Girls get to kick some ass

Posted on January 17, 2011 by | 3 comments

Big Daddy and Hit Girl were the shining stars of 2010’s Kick-Ass and the trailer released for Hanna shares similar qualities to Hit Girl’s violent badass tendencies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anqgem9eN38

Continue reading →

3 Comments

Posted in News

Tagged , ,

‘Oldboy’ Director Makes Film On iPhone

Posted on January 17, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Technology is a great tool that we use on a daily basis and the advancement of that technology has allowed a new wave of filmmakers to break on to the scene.  News headlines are now announcing the newest in filmmaking technology, one that is near-accessible to everyone: your phone.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in News

Tagged , , ,

The Filmsmith in 2011

Posted on January 17, 2011 by | Leave a comment

When I first got the ball rolling for this site in 2009 I saw it as a small attempt to share info on films at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.  After the attention to my commentary on the power politics of Avatar however, I have dedicated myself to reviewing films and presenting quality content on this site.  And not only have I focused on items in terms of content, but late last year I chose a different visual format that would also allow easier navigation to specific film related topics (see above tabs).  But there’s a lot more work that can be done and with new people helping me, 2011 should be a great year for The Filmsmith. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in News

Somewhere a self-indulgent student film

Posted on January 17, 2011 by | 1 comment

Sofia Coppola has made a career out of following the existential malaise of the rich and famous (save for Virgin Suicides), so another film by Ms. Coppola within that framework is not a surprise.  What is surprising is just how bad it is. Continue reading →

1 Comment

Posted in Reviews

Tagged , , , ,

“Hedwig” director tackles tragedy in Rabbit Hole

Posted on January 17, 2011 by | Leave a comment

John Cameron Mitchell reinvigorated the sexually confused rock musical with Hedwig and the Angry Inch, following this with a meditation on (explicit) sexuality’s emotional power in Shortbus.  For Rabbit Hole he takes on the straight couple demographic, as Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart try to keep their marriage from sinking on rocky shores. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in Reviews

Tagged , , ,

Rare Exports a Christmas mess

Posted on January 17, 2011 by | Leave a comment

The Finnish film documenting the true, ghastly nature of Santa Clause looked like it could be exploitation horror fun, but instead will leave you with question marks dangling over your head.  The film makes huge leaps in narrative logic, in one case young Pietari deducing from explosions on a mountain, “Santa’s under there!”

What?!

Nothing implies such a statement and Pietari’s proclamation stands in for the film’s inability to expose such a key plot detail in any other fashion.  Which is emblematic for the rest of the film, including the moment Pietari, hitherto a weakling, suddenly becomes Rambo as he organizes helicopter pickups and heroic gestures.  Everything is inexplicable in Finland evidently.

Some of the issues could stem from a terrible subtitle translation, but most of the awful simply stems from bad storytelling.  Cool idea, terrible execution.  Don’t even bother renting.

-Remington Smith

Leave a comment

Posted in Reviews

Tagged , , , ,

The Green Hornet lacks sting

Posted on January 14, 2011 by | 1 comment

Oh sweet, sweet January.  As December 31st represents the cutoff date for films to be eligible for Oscar consideration, the first few months of the year usher in a flood of films the studios unceremoniously dump into cinemas to fulfill contractual obligations. The Green Hornet is no exception to the rule. Continue reading →

1 Comment

Posted in Reviews

Tagged , ,

Catfish mystery satisfying

Posted on January 12, 2011 by | 3 comments

If you’ve been swimming in the film pond during 2010, you might have heard of a film called Catfish, which was a Sundance sensation at the beginning of last year.  Part of the buzz stemmed from the film’s black-ops secrecy; its tagline (see right) told you not to “let anyone tell you what it is.”  Maybe it doesn’t deserve such secrecy, but what they’ve kept under wraps is a fascinating look at relationships in the 21st century. Continue reading →

3 Comments

Posted in Filmsmith Faves, Reviews

Tagged , , , , , ,