Category Archives: News

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

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

5 Videos to Celebrate Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Today is Christmas.  Here are some videos to celebrate.

First, let’s drop a little knowledge on ya’.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtywlNX4NiQ

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in Lists, News

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

This American Life episode The Fighter’s equivalent

Posted on December 19, 2010 by | Leave a comment

This week, David O. Russell’s The Fighter was released.  Mark Wahlberg is an underdog boxer who is frequently referred to as a “stepping stone,” a low-level guy pitted against a better fighter.  The “stepping stone” makes some money and his competitor builds up his rank in the boxing world.  This American Life did an episode on just these types of boxers, called “opponents.”

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in News, Reviews

Tagged , , , , , ,

Trailer released for Terrance Malick’s Tree of Life

Posted on December 17, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Director Terrance Malick (The Thin Red Line, The New World) has a new film being released in 2011, The Tree of Life.  Previously only attached to screenings of Black Swan, the trailer for Tree of Life was released online yesterday. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in News

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Inception making-of featurette details hallway special effects

Posted on December 14, 2010 by | Leave a comment

The hallway scene from Inception was originally explained by The Filmsmith back in February 2010.  With the release of Inception on DVD last week, the following making-of feature has made it to youtube, further detailing our original explanation.  For special effects geeks (myself included), it’s quite interesting to see the full mechanics required to rotate the hallway and the struggle to choreograph the fights inside the turning tunnel:

It’s nothing short of amazing the lengths to which they went to avoid using CGI – and it looks all the better for it.

Leave a comment

Posted in News

Tagged , , , , , ,

Blue Valentine no longer rated NC-17

Posted on December 9, 2010 by | Leave a comment

After initially earning an NC-17 rating from the MPAA, the romantic drama Blue Valentine has won its appeal for an R rating.

The MPAA spokesperson stated:

“the rating was lowered after the group’s appeals board viewed the film and heard arguments from Harvey Weinstein, whose Weinstein Co. is releasing it.”

An NC-17 rating is regarded as box office poison with many cinemas refusing to play such films.  Director Derek Cianfrance stated he had support from The Weinstein Company to release the film with the NC-17 designation if need be.  Fortunately for him and film fans, it did not come to that.  Blue Valentine hits theaters December 31.

Leave a comment

Posted in News

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

15 Films of Christmas (December Movie Preview)

Posted on December 4, 2010 by | 1 comment

In order for a film to qualify for the Academy Awards, it must be released theatrically before December 31st of a given year.  So December is when the drama train comes through after the pipe bomb explosion of summer blockbusters.  This year in particular, there is a lot to look forward to.

:note: Films listed as limited are those being released in New York City, L.A., and possibly Chicago.  This allows the film to receive exposure in the major markets and if it does well, get rolled out to other cities. Continue reading →

1 Comment

Posted in Lists, News

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Hobbit to be shot on new Red Camera, Epic

Posted on December 2, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Peter Jackson holding Red's latest camera, Epic.

Not only will Peter Jackson be directing The Hobbit, he is shooting it in 3D and will be using 30 new cameras from Red, called Epic. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in Filmmaking, News

Tagged , , , , , , ,