alexander payne

The Best Films of 2023

The Best Films of 2023

Our best films of 2023 include A-listers exploring new ground or new wrinkles in the familiar, lesser-knowns of singularly surprising work, and gut-punch comedies.

The Best Films of 2023 You May Have Missed

The Best Films of 2023 You May Have Missed

We have a long winter ahead of us. So strap yourselves in and prepare to see the best films of 2023 you may have missed but will want to see.

Like Real Life ‘Election’ Is Dark, Hilarious, and Cringe-Worthy

Like Real Life ‘Election’ Is Dark, Hilarious, and Cringe-Worthy

Alexander Payne’s black comedy about high school politics, Election explores topics that may not always be sexy, but they make for rich storytelling.

Alexander Payne’s ‘Downsizing’ Is No Small Misfire

Alexander Payne’s ‘Downsizing’ Is No Small Misfire

The new social satire from normally reliable director Alexander Payne is a well-meaning premise in search of a story.

In ‘Downsizing’ Shrinking Means Big Money and Bigger Problems

In ‘Downsizing’ Shrinking Means Big Money and Bigger Problems

Being the size of a dog's chew toy might not be to everybody's taste, but it's certainly a shortcut to a kind of upper middle-class luxury unobtainable for most of humanity.

2017 Fall Film Preview: At Last, the Film Industry Awakens From Its Slumber

2017 Fall Film Preview: At Last, the Film Industry Awakens From Its Slumber

From Gary Oldman in The Darkest Hour to James Franco's meta-experiment Blade Runner: 2049 and Daniel Day-Lewis's final role, here are the movies you'll want to watch ... and a couple you might not.
Double Take: ‘Sideways’ (2004)

Double Take: ‘Sideways’ (2004)

In Sideways, the two Steves find hints of satire, legs of oaky '70s cinema, a bouquet of gender commentary, and a chewy finish.
In ‘The Possibilities’, a Young Visitor Upends Several Lives

In ‘The Possibilities’, a Young Visitor Upends Several Lives

Kaui Hart Hemmings is like a wise alien, gleefully pointing out the bizarre ways in which people in America behave.

Toronto International Film Festival 2011: ‘The Descendants’

Sideways (2004)

Sideways (2004)

The Best 10 Films 2004