Film

Film Review: “My Best Friend’s Exorcism” — Wasted Bandwidth

September 30, 2022
Posted in , ,

There’s no real engagement with the ’80s, so this attempt at horror/comedy is politically and emotionally inert, profoundly unfunny and pathetically un-scary.

Film Review: Wait for It… “Hold Your Fire”

September 30, 2022
Posted in , ,

At a time when the nation is taking stock of the failures of our history of urban policing and looking for some new approaches, the lessons of Hold Your Fire are needed more urgently than ever.

Film Review: “God’s Country” — Who is to Blame?

September 30, 2022
Posted in , ,

In our politically correct times, the temptation would be to make a simplistic film in which Sandra, the good Black woman, is beset by bad white people.

Film Review: “Pearl” — A Star is Born

September 26, 2022
Posted in , ,

Move over Patrick Bateman, there’s a new axe-wielding psychopath for impressionable young cinephiles to project themselves onto in town.

At the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival — “My Imaginary Country” Looks at Chile, Where Protests Fill the Streets Again  

September 25, 2022
Posted in , ,

Reviews of three new documentaries at TIFF: My Imaginary Country, To Kill a Tiger, and Miucha: The Voice of Bossa Nova.

Doc Talk: American Dreams, North and South, in Films by Abigail Disney and Patricio Guzmán

September 25, 2022
Posted in , ,

In their recent films two disparate documentarians – Abigail Disney, the scion of the legendary Hollywood mogul, and Patricio Guzmán, exiled Chilean socialist – investigate the past, present, and future of their nations’ essential illusions.

Film Review: “Blonde” — The Life of Marilyn Monroe, Art House Version

September 22, 2022
Posted in , ,

Crucially, Blonde lacks a sense of joy. As Marilyn Monroe crumbles into an alcohol and drug haze, this expressionistic version of her life disintegrates into a succession of discomforting, sometimes laughable, scenarios.

Film Review: “Goodnight Mommy” — A Disappointing Redo

September 21, 2022
Posted in , ,

This American remake does not have the power, the confidence of tone, or the aesthetic artistry to measure up to the horrifying original.

This American remake does not have the power, the confidence of tone, or the aesthetic artistry to measure up to the horrifying original.

At 2022 Toronto International Film Festival — “The Whale” and Two Excursions into History

September 20, 2022
Posted in , ,

The Whale is a bracing two hour battle against destiny.

Television Review: Disney’s Live-Action “Pinocchio” — A Necessary Remake

September 20, 2022
Posted in , , ,

There are cringe-worthy moments as well as scenes of mesmerizing beauty in Disney’s live-action Pinocchio. But I’ll go against the critical grain and argue, for several small reasons, and for one big one, that it was necessary to make it.

Recent Posts

Popular Posts

Categories

Archives