Top 10 R-Rated Films Every Kid Should See

Two things to make very clear about this post: I don’t have children and I have a very liberal attitude about kids watching mature movies. My parents let me watch whatever I wanted by the time I was 10 years old, but I was different. When other kids were talking about how big that actresses boobs were or how awesome it was to watch that guy’s head explode, I was trying to figure out why the director chose to move the camera that specific way, or why they held that shot for that long. Movies were my education in so many ways, and I’m glad I was exposed to them at such an early age.

And while all kids are different, with different standards and sensitivities, I truly believe most children would benefit from watching the movies below. All these films have something profound to offer, including potentially poignant conversations with parents. I hope you appreciate my picks, many of which inspired great conversations with my own parents when I was young. And do feel free to share your choices as well.

Wild Tales

You’re on a plane. Minding your own business, flipping through a magazine. A man sitting next to you strikes up a conversation. You make idle talk – “Business or pleasure?” – those sorts of things. He tells you what he does for a living, and through this bit of information, you both soon realize that you have an acquaintance in common. You used to date someone who this man offended a long time ago. How odd. The conversation continues, and a woman sitting close by chimes in. She knows this acquaintance as well. So does the dweeb in the back of the plane. So does… seemingly everyone on the plane. What’s going on and where are we going? And how in the ever loving hell did we get here?

In Character: John Doman

If you’ve immersed yourself in pop culture over the past 15 years (particularly in television), then you’re undoubtedly aware of John Doman and his effortless command. Seriously, few modern performers possess an overall demeanor more intimidating than John Doman. This guy has the tough-as-balls, perpetual hardass persona down pat. When John Doman shows up, you know trouble is close by, and I have yet to grow tired of it.

Top 10 Janusz Kaminski Films

If you’ve seen a film directed by Steven Spielberg in the past 18 years, then you’re familiar with Janusz Kaminski’s cinematography. Kaminski has lensed every live-action Spielberg film since Schinder’s List, netting six Oscar nominations and two wins in the process. Best known for his use of stark shadows, harsh white light, and interior fog, Kaminski is a master of atmosphere. The man knows how to put us in the world of a film as well as the best of them.

In Character: Laura Linney

Laura Linney is one of the best, most dependable performers in the business. Her career has been repeatedly lauded on film, television and the stage, and, thankfully, has no signs of slowing down. Linney is the type of actress you see a movie for. No matter what it is. You may not fully like the final product, but you know that the simple fact of her being in the film will automatically make it worth it.

WAIT: Red Carpets and Handshakes at HRIFF

This has been the most insane month of my life. Getting to screen Wait at the Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival (HRIFF) feels like a dream. My participation in the festival resulted in three wondrously surreal days that I will never forget. Words simply cannot do those days justice. Or the days I’ve lived since.

Oscar Night: Always Holding Out For a Brody

The Oscars are mere hours away, and I find myself particularly excited for the show this year. One reason is because the two films vying for the biggest awards – Boyhood and Birdman – were two of my favorite films from 2014. But moreover, I’m thrilled for the Oscars because we have a few legitimate chances for an Adrien Brody-type upset.

In 2002, the Best Actor race was a two-way dead heat. Jack Nicholson was either going to become the first man to win three Best Actor Oscars for his against-type work in About Schmidt, or Daniel Day-Lewis was going to take home his second Best Actor trophy for his ferocious turn in Gangs of New York. But when Halle Berry opened the envelope and took a long, stunned pause before saying Adrien Brody’s name, we witnessed one of the best, most unexpected Oscar shocks in awards history.

In Character: David Paymer

David Paymer is one of film’s most recognizable character actors. And while few may know him by name, Paymer has consistently delivered stellar performances for more than two decades. He’s played dumb and down, smooth and hip, wise and eccentric, always to excellent results. All told, he’s one of my favorite actors in the business. A guy who makes everything he’s in that much better.

Top 10 Performances by James Bond Actors (in non-Bond roles)

Since making my way through the James Bond catalogue, I’ve been thinking about the six actors who have played 007. Some of them peaked with Bond, while others went on to have illustrious careers. Below are my favorite non-Bond performances by actors who have played Bond. Note: I only considered performances that were played during or after the respective actors’ tenure as Bond.

James Bond Franchise Breakdown

It’s hard not to love the James Bond franchise. Running for more than 50 years, it remains the most iconic franchise in cinema history. It’s had its ups and downs, sure, but there’s a comfort in knowing no matter how bad a Bond film may be, he’ll always be back for more.

A few weeks ago, I decided to watch every Bond film in a row. I crushed them all out in 10 days, and I thought it be fun to share my thoughts on each film here. I hope you enjoy the post, and feel free to comment on which Bond films you love, hate, and love to hate. There’s never a bad time to talk Bond.

Watch Micah Parker on THE FLASH Tomorrow Night!

Hey everyone, I wanted to post a reminder that my great friend, Micah Parker, will be starring in tomorrow night’s episode of The Flash on The CW. Details about the episode have been on the hush, but I know that Micah plays a villain named Clay Parker (love the name) who is on the run with his girlfriend. Having worked with Micah pretty much non-stop over the past year and a half, I know that he’s an actor capable of great intensity, and I’m so pumped to see what he does with Clay.

Micah walked into his audition for a lead role in my feature film, Wait, in October 2013, and since then, we’ve established one of the most fulfilling creative collaborations and friendships that I’ve ever had. In addition to Wait, we’ve made short films together, shot music videos, and have been talking ceaselessly about our next feature. He’s one of my best friends, and I’m so proud to see his career taking off.

Top 20 Films that Lost Sundance

A lot of films are premiering at Sundance this week, but only a handful of them will walk away with awards (and even few with major awards). But if Sundance has proven one thing to be true over the years, it’s that getting into the festival is in fact the award itself. Below are my favorite films that premiered at Sundance, but lost major in-competition awards. 

Note: I only considered films that screened in-competition for Dramatic and Documentary Grand Jury Prizes at Sundance. Films that premiered at Sundance, but already had theatrical distribution in place (like, say, American Psycho) were not considered. Similarly, films that screened in World Competition categories were also not considered.

Top 10 Films that Won Sundance

The 2015 Sundance Film Festival kicked off yesterday, and what better way to remember the famed fest than by highlighting some of the finest films to ever premiere there? Below are my picks for the best films that have won Sundance. For the purposes of this post, I only considered films that were awarded the Dramatic or Documentary Grand Jury Prizes.

WAIT: the Thrill of the Festival Circuit

Self-promotion is not my thing. I’ve spent my life learning about film and filmmaking, acquiring skills and honing them in. I didn’t go to film school and I didn’t grow up knowing anyone with a leg up in the “biz.” So when teaching myself how to make a movie became the most realistic option, that’s what I set out to do.

And I love being a student of film. It’s a craft that so few people perfect, because there’s always more to learn. I can talk about this learning process all day, but the one thing I don’t love about filmmaking is talking about myself.

In Character: 2014 Oscar Nominees Edition

With this morning’s release of the Oscar nominations, I thought it’d be fun to dive into the careers of every acting nominee. Below is an expansion of my usual In Character column, highlighting the best roles of the 20 actors vying for film’s top prize.