• The Criterion Files

    The Criterion Files: Homicide

    Homicide: Directed by:  David Mamet Written by: David Mamet Starring: Joe Mantegna, William H. Macy, Ving Rhames Cinematography: Roger Deakins Music by: Alaric Jans Released: October 9, 1991 David Mamet might today have greater notoriety as a font of controversy and ideological invective than as a filmmaker (and perhaps even as a playwright). Maybe one could argue that that’s merely a symptom of being a conservative convert in an industry dominated by adherents of liberalism, but the more likely cause for his infamy is his own mouth; Mamet’s anti-left wing diatribes could turn even Ann Coulter a bright shade of red. But common wisdom dictates that we can separate the art…

  • The Criterion Files

    The Criterion Files: Days of Heaven

    Days of Heaven: Directed by: Terrence Malick Written by: Terrence Malick Starring: Richard Gere, Abby Brooks, Sam Shepard, Linda Manz Cinematography by: Néstor Almendros, Haskell Wexler Music by: Ennio Morricone Released: September 13, 1973 Among the minute number of films Terrence Malick has directed over the course of his decade-spanning career, 1978’s Days of Heaven stands out as his most significant. Maybe it isn’t difficult to rise to the top of a five picture filmography (Malick’s sixth feature length release, To the Wonder, is allegedly due out later this year, and he has two more features tentatively planned to be shot back-to-back soon after), but the purpose of this exercise isn’t about competition;…