Stephen Simon | pg.2

Before I list my own five favorite films of 2007, I’d like to point out that think it would be wonderful, and more honest, if the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (commonly referred to as The Academy as in “I’d like to thank The Academy”), of which I am a member, changed the ... read more

I have a message for both the mainstream film industry and its film critics: You have both lost all connection with film audiences. Hollywood has seemingly decided that “quality” now equates with dark, violent and depressing; consequently, 2007 was one of the bleakest years ever for film distribution. To make matters worse, and to illustrate anew ... read more

This sense of optimism and hope permeates the entire film. See it with someone you love, or want to love, or have loved. And save a special place in your heart for Grandmother and Grandfather Brickler. If there were a contest for America’s grandparents, I think the Bricklers might win in a landslide … and I for one would love to see their victory speech.

"Reign Over Me," now available on DVD, is my favorite film so far in 2007. Powerful, haunting and profoundly moving, the film is a testament to the power of friendship and the extraordinary healing potential of the human heart. The challenge of healing our own hearts is at the soul of this story, which revolves around ... read more

I decided very early on that I wanted to make the kinds of films I had grown up loving: spiritual films like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Lost Horizons,” and “The Portrait of Jennie.” The first film I made, “Somewhere in Time,” was written by Richard Matheson—who also gave me the galleys to his book “What ... read more