Ben Travers is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa who holds degrees in both journalism and cinema. He is an experienced writer and filmmaker who has covered many different mediums including film, DVD, and box office analysis.
Features
Friday, September 24 2010
The Fall of the Oliver Stone Empire: A Director and His Critics
Until 2004, Oliver Stone could never be accused of shying away from anything. Once he did, the critics pounced.
Sunday, August 30 2009
Californication's Note-perfect Becca
Madeleine Martin reflects on a season of Californication that saw her character, Becca Moody, play an essential part in Hank’s slow transition to adulthood.
Reviews
Monday, January 30 2012
Thanks to 'Paranormal Activity 3': I Can’t Even Look at an Oscillating Fan, Anymore
For a franchise that prides itself on slowly building to a fright-filled finalé, Paranormal Activity 3 comes up short -- but it does leave lasting impressions.
Thursday, January 26 2012
For Your Eyes Only: 'Archer: The Complete Season Two'
Pull on your black turtleneck and pour yourself a drink -- Archer is back for a second round and he's just as lethal as he was in Season One.
Tuesday, January 10 2012
Look! It's 'The Rocketeer'! No, really - LOOK!
Our depressed society, badly needing distraction, needs a cinematic jolt of joy -- much like the one found in this classic adventure tale.
Friday, January 6 2012
'Warrior': Join Me In the fight for This Brilliant Film’s Deserved Immortality
Like the fighters it depicts, Warrior comes out of nowhere to take the title.
Wednesday, January 4 2012
Too Wide a Margin in 'Margin Call'
The ambitious Margin Call is held back only by its cloying contrivances.
Blogs
Monday, January 9 2012
The Best of the Rest, 2011 Edition
Contributor Ben Travers lists his picks for the 12 best films, by genre, of 2011.
Thursday, November 3 2011
The Top 5 Mysteries of 'American Horror Story'
In a new series already packed to the max with confounding conundrums, these are the top tricks in need of treats sooner rather than later.
Thursday, October 13 2011
The Five Best Movie Surprises of 2011... So Far
Oscar season may end up altering this list severely, but for now, these five films are the pleasant reminders of why we give some movies a chance instead of dismissing them on sight...of first trailer.
Tuesday, September 13 2011
The 10 Best Fight Films of All Time
With Warrior arriving in theaters, it's time to take a look at the films it's trying to emulate and if it has a shot at taking the championship belt.
Friday, September 2 2011
September Movies: Five Reasons It's the Best September of All
Can we really go four weeks in a row without a bad movie in September? Like I say every season with the Cubs, this might be the year.
