R.I.P. Max von Sydow (1929-2020)

Max von Sydow

On March 8, 2020, actor Max von Sydow passed away at the age of 90 in Provence, France. Over the course of 60 years, he was known as a pillar of international cinema, rising to fame in The Seventh Seal, which was the first of 11 collaborations with director Ingmar Bergman. Later on, he would make a splash in American films ranging from traditional dramas (Hannah and Her Sisters) to horror (The Exorcist) and even blockbusters (Star Wars: The Force Awakens). He was known for having over 100 film credits, delivering powerhouse performances in each. Along with work in TV, stage, and video games, his charisma lasted up until his passing which even then he was busy working on another project. His massive output will continue to live on as a testament to what one can achieve as an actor when doing everything to make a role better. 

Freaky Friday: "The Exorcist" (1973)

The season is upon us, and it's time to get in the mood for Halloween. Every Friday in October, The Oscar Buzz will be highlighting the films that The Academy recognized that likely chilled you to your bone. While there have been several genres more prevalent than horror, there's been a fair share that have popped up and proven themselves among the more prestigious competition. What is it about these films that stand out? Are they just scary, or is there something more to their charm? Join in the journey of recognizing the award nominated scares that you may or may not have known about.

In Defense of "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" (2011)

Thomas Horn

When it comes to cinema related to September 11, 2001, there's one very common complaint: director Stephen Daldry's Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is the worst. Not the worst in the sense that it gets the facts wrong or develops its own conspiracy. It's the worst because it is manipulative to a fault. True, the story of a child who is sort of nagging trying to maneuver New York following his father's death does reek a little of over-sentimentalizing. However, I want to bring a different argument to the table. It's one that I'm sure won't win over everyone but is essentially why I have trouble calling it out as garbage. It may not be the best 9/11 movie, but it's one that I feel connects with me for a deeper and more personal reason.