Five film-related things you’ll love, coming at you every weekend.
This week: Keanu Reeves, David Cronenberg, Top Gun, and more.
Keanu Reeves: Most Triumphant,
Alex Pappademas
Much like last week’s recommendation, Age of Cage, this look at the life and career of Keanu Reeves is a look at someone in Hollywood who marches to their own drum and has because of that turned into a cultural icon. (Although, Keanu did it in a slightly less manic way than Cage.) It’s funny, thorough, and highly entertaining.
Order the book here.
Top Gun: Maverick
For two years now this has been hyped as the film that’s going to save theaters. We’ll see if that’s the case, but it will be huge. Early on its Rotten Tomatoes score is through the roof and opening weekend box office predictions exceed $100 million. Tom Cruise might be the only real movie star we have these days, so it makes sense that—even with no superheroes involved—people would line up to see him. And as an added bonus this just looks like a really well-made film all around.
The Cinephile game
If you love movies this is the game for you. It features cards with wonderful illustrations of actors and directors, and multiple ways to play—pick two cards, link those people in as few films as possible; pick one card, go around the room listing that person’s filmography; and more. There are also add-on packs like “Action,” “L.A. Stories,” and “Splat,” for when you want to go even deeper. It’s a ton of fun and makes a great party game or gift for even the pickiest film-loving friends.
Learn more about Cinephile here.
Artist Sean Phillips profiled by Criterion
If you own a few blu-ray discs from Criterion, chances are at least one of them contains stunning cover art from Sean Phillips. This piece from Eric Skillman goes deep on the artist’s background and current projects with writer Ed Brubaker. It’s a great read.
Check it out here.
David Cronenberg guests on Konbini’s
Le Vidéo Club
YouTube channel Konbini hosts the always interesting David Cronenberg at Paris’ JM Vidéo. He discusses everything from the stars of his new film, Crimes of the Future, to how he wrote 12 drafts of a script for Total Recall, to how he was asked to direct Return of the Jedi. It’s highly entertaining and full of fun tidbits about Cronenberg’s unique career. See it below.