B-Film as Theory: ‘The Shooting/Ride in the Whirlwind’
Two blasts of existentialist disquiet and hallucination from the stable of Roger Corman, these two Westerns launched the career of a major alternative filmmaker in Monte Hellman.
Brendan Boyle
‘The Battery’ Is a First Act in Search of a Plot
Amounting to one feature-length inciting incident, the low-budget zombie film The Battery will test the limits of even the most devoted horror fans’ patience.
The Bully at the Pulpit: ‘Elmer Gantry’
Richard Brooks's adaptation of Elmer Gantry lives and dies on Burt Lancaster's strangest, most unforgettable performance.
Can You Survive if You’re Not a Monster in ‘Hannibal: The Complete Second Season’?
The landmark horror series steps away from crime procedurals and deeper into its inimitable sense of style in a triumphant sophomore year.
What Happens When You Don’t Want Your Kid?: ‘Proxy’
A slack conclusion can't totally detract from the twisty script, mannered performances, and uncommonly gorgeous direction that make Proxy, the must-see independent thriller of 2014 so far.
Abuse and Weakness in Pialat’s ‘We Won’t Grow Old Together’
The most excruciating of breakup movies, "We Won't Grow Old Together" showcases a classic performance from Jean Yanne.
Kristen Wiig Sinks ‘Hateship Loveship’
Infusing Alice Munro's portrait of a lonely woman and her quest for happiness with deadpan comic beats, Kristen Wiig muddies the tone of "Hateship Loveship" and leaves it without a center.
‘Southern Comfort’ Is Populated By Tropes
Walter Hill's talkiest action film boasts one of his best stories, but isn't the forgotten classic one might hope for.
You Can’t Know the Answer in ‘Enemy’
Director Denis Villeneuve's most successful film to date is a baffling mood piece, a puzzle designed with no solution.
‘The Long Day Closes’ Recollects Memory and Childhood in Constant Motion
One of cinema's most resonant and timeless works, Terence Davies's second film recreates childhood dreams and memories within which any viewer can situate themselves.
Scenes from the Deadpan Life: Aki Kaurismäki’s ‘La Vie De Boheme’
This deadpan gem betrays a surprising warmth beneath its wry exterior. Simply put, it's one of cinema's richest and most compassionate tragicomedies.
A Little Ominous Noir Music Makes Jules Dassin’s ‘Rififi’ Nearly Perfect
Jules Dassin’s Rififi, a benchmark of the heist genre shows that for the criminal, elegance and brutality go hand-in-hand.