James Owen

Missouri

Executive Director at Renew Missouri

ED of @renewmo. These are my opinions only. Wrote a book and repped by @tomjcull. Stay tuned for news on that front. Film columnist for the @columbiatribune.

Articles

How 'Pavements' film celebrates not selling out — and how this MU professor played a key role

1 week ago | columbiatribune.com | James Owen

James OwenColumbia Daily TribunePassion must drive a filmmaker. To tell a story they believe an audience should see. Making a film is an obsessive endeavor and the energy to do so must come from an unending well. When I asked University of Missouri professor and filmmaker Robert Greene what sparked his passion to help create a documentary on the band Pavement, his answer was simple: “They are my favorite band of all-time.” Of course, not only passion fuels a film project.
The end is nigh in newest Stephen King big-screen adaptation

2 weeks ago | columbiatribune.com | James Owen

Stephen King is often described as “The Master of Horror.”Which seems to miss his strength as one of the great modern writers. While I loathe any essay that contains a dictionary definition, I am compelled to note “horror” is described by Merriam-Webster an “intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust.” Ugh — I just feel like a hack writing that. For me, King taps into the feeling of dread more than anything else. Common, everyday things that cause our stomachs to drop.
How Pee-Wee Herman documentary captures a master at work

3 weeks ago | columbiatribune.com | James Owen

“Pee-Wee As Himself” is Matt Wolf’s two-part documentary that recently began streaming on Max, which you probably still call HBO Max. (It will again officially be known as HBO Max soon, in an example of corporate ineptitude.) The doc is a definitive look at Paul Reubens, the comedian-artist most people still know by his most famous character, Pee-Wee Herman. Or, at least, as definitive as one can be.
How 'Bring Her Back' stumbles in bid for elevated horror

1 month ago | columbiatribune.com | James Owen

“Elevated horror” is a term created only recently to describe films where artistic creativity is valued more than scares. Some argue it’s a subgenre of horror with social messages on its mind. But I reject that, believing any film — good or bad — can say something about the culture that created it. If you look at truly scary movies, they are effective because they tap into some larger dread.
These movies will bring hot indie summer to your local theater

1 month ago | columbiatribune.com | James Owen

James OwenColumbia Daily TribuneSummer at the movies has been here for a while now. While this weekend is technically the start of the season, “Sinners” was putting up boffo box office numbers all the way back in mid-April. (Which you should see if you haven’t already.) There will be plenty more blockbusters between now and Labor Day, and there’s plenty of articles talking about the big movies you can catch. But I want to talk about the summer indies.
Indie abortion drama 'April' somehow further pushes the envelope

1 month ago | columbiatribune.com | James Owen

I’ve never understood the sentiment that you should see a film just to turn off your brain and be entertained. For me, being entertained requires cerebral engagement. Cinema should be like a puzzle where each piece must be examined to figure out how it works in the larger picture. I like being challenged and even films that are “just” entertaining should make you work as part of the viewing experience.
These two indie films get a second chance on mid-Missouri screens

1 month ago | columbiatribune.com | James Owen

James OwenColumbia Daily TribuneLiving in the middle of nowhere can sometimes be tough sledding for a movie lover. There's only so many screens and so much demand for even the most critically-acclaimed films. While our local theaters do their best, great work can sometimes fall through the cracks. Local arthouses are taking advantage of the post-Marvel lull in Hollywood’s release calendar this weekend and bringing back two films to the big screen. Sure, you could rent both of them on streaming.
What we've learned from 'Revenge of the Sith' after 20 years

1 month ago | columbiatribune.com | James Owen

This past Friday, “Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith” was re-released in theaters to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its initial opening. Fans flocked, ringing up ticket sales to the tune of $21 million. A lot of money for a film that’s been available a while. Which is interesting given that we are now celebrating George Lucas’ prequels as modern classics. I vividly recall the consensus among tastemakers and fans: mixed at best, hostile at worst the first go-around.
How a terrific cast — Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone and more — brings life to 'Wedding Banquet' remake

2 months ago | columbiatribune.com | James Owen

James OwenColumbia Daily TribunePretending to be someone — or something — you are not in order to get what you want is a staple of comedy. Usually this involves matters of the heart, as the audience understands the self-doubt that comes along with romance. No one would want me or love me for who I really am, the lingering thought rests in our mind. Of course I need to act different — more acceptable to the world — in order to get what I want.
How 'Mickey 17,' 'Electric State' tell epic tale of streaming struggles

2 months ago | columbiatribune.com | James Owen

Two science-fiction epics released in the past month punctuate the current state of filmmaking and cinema-going. Folks, I am not going to lie: they tell an ugly story in dueling parts. Bong Joon Ho’s “Mickey 17” is a flawed yet compelling and artistically ambitious look into a world where our expansionist desires to conquer nearby worlds come at the expense of our humanity.