Tuesday, January 31 2012
‘The Love We Make’ Is One for the Vaults
You gotta know when to roll 'em, know when to cut 'em, and know when to let it be.
‘Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption’: Sit Back and Bask in the Ninjaness of It All
A down on his luck former king goes on a quest for redemption, finds ninjas.
‘Texas Killing Fields’ Is Murder!
When you feel sorry for the bad guys in a serial killer flick, you know there's something wrong.
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.
‘Drive’ Works Because of Its Self-Conscious Artifice
Ryan Gosling is instantly iconic as a driver trying to find his humanity amidst the corruption of Los Angeles.
Friday, January 27 2012
These ‘Superheroes’ Have the Power to Tear Themselves Away from Their Smart Phones & iPods
Are these self-styled "superheroes" bored malcontents or Good Samaritans? They're both.
More than a Movie: ‘The Whistleblower’s Heartfelt Plea for Greater Humanity
This small film with a big theme strives to encourage us all to be whistleblowers.
Thursday, January 26 2012
You May Observe the Ride, but You May Not Come Aboard the Bus: ‘Magic Trip’
On listening to people read from a script while we watch silent home movie footage of people on heroic doses of psychedelics.
This Isn’t Your Typical Straight-Arrow Police Officer: ‘The Guard’
Brendan Gleeson never misses a beat as Sergeant Gerry Boyle, and his success lifts this clever film to a higher level.
Wednesday, January 25 2012
‘Jane’s Journey’: Insightful, Moving, Beautiful and Maddeningly Superficial
Lorenz Knauer presents Jane Goodall’s life as traditionally female, structured by marriages, sacrifice, and an act of reconciliation with her son.
‘Limelight’: Dancing to a Great American Crime Story
This story features plenty of the usual suspects: opportunistic thugs, opportunistic law men, and the pride which comes before a fall.
Friday, January 20 2012
Caution: Colonialist Charm Ahead: ‘Eclipse Series 30: Sabu!’
An Indian child perpetuated colonialism in a series of British fantasias.
Thursday, January 19 2012
Debbie Reynolds in Multiple Musical Doses: ‘Give a Girl a Break’ & ‘The Affairs of Dobie Gillis’
You'd think she'd have made the minor ones before her breakthrough, but somehow Debbie Reynolds' projects devolved.
Ingmar Bergman’s Magical Masterpiece, ‘Fanny and Alexander’, Had Never Looked This Good
Ingmar Bergman's goodbye to cinema is one of the most magical swan songs ever made.
Wednesday, January 18 2012
‘What’s Your Number?’ Anna Faris Still Deserves Better
What's Your Number? strands Anna Faris, and the rest of the movie, by its devotion to those rom-com formulas.
‘Design for Living’ Is a Raunchy, Stylish, Pre-code Gem
Gary Cooper, Miriam Hopkins and Fredric March are a ménage-à-trois for the ages.
Tuesday, January 17 2012
The Rise of a Star. The Fall of a Legend: ‘Velvet Goldmine’
Velvet Goldmine isn't just a story of glam rock in the early '70s. It's a story about the places where dreams and memories overlap, where time is immaterial and images and impressions are everything.
Be the Best Gravy You Can Be: ‘The Wavy Gravy Movie: Saint Misbehavin’
Wavy Gravy emerges not only as a fascinating character, but as a powerful, inspiring, even heroic man. This is what the '60s always wanted to be about, but almost never were.
Butch Cassidy is Dead, Long Live Butch Cassidy: ‘Blackthorn’
After living in Bolivia for more than 20 years under an assumed name, Butch Cassidy (Sam Shepard) tries to go home. His journey takes an adventurous detour when he meets a young thief (Eduardo Noriega).
Monday, January 16 2012
‘Our Idiot Brother’ Is Not as Dumb as It Looks
"If you see people’s best intentions they’re gonna wanna live up to them."
