‘Punching Henry’ and the Pains of Standup Comedy
Henry Phillips’ sequel to Punching the Clown revisits the difficulties of performing stand-up comedy (with his guitar,) but doesn't pose new questions about that experience.
Chance Solem-Pfeifer
Chance Solem-Pfeifer is a contributor to PopMatters. You can find his other writing at Paste, Splitsider, Willamette Week, and elsewhere. He's also the host of the "Be Reel" podcast and a DJ for Oregon Public Broadcasting's music division.
Ben Foster: The Strange, Exhilarating Prince of the Sacrificial Lamb Role
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Christopher Smith's new noir outing is a scuzzy and flawed 90 minutes, elevated by a compelling, three-pronged cast.
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The Headcase and the Hydra: Why Jason Bourne Doesn’t Work as a Franchise Hero
Jason Bourne has big shoulders, but carrying the burden of misinterpretation is too much; he can’t chart a hero’s journey conceived in a rat’s nest.