Movie Reviews
The Conspirator “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” said philosopher George Santayana. This saying has spawned many variants, including, now, director Robert Redford’s: “Those who cannot learn from history are …
In a Better World In a better world, In a Better World would not have to win the foreign film Oscar (which it did, for 2010) to get serious American attention. This is the kind …
Actors are the main interest this week — Paul Giamatti, Juliette Binoche, Jake Gyllenhaal, J.K. Simmons — and we offer a farewell to Elizabeth Taylor. Win Win What law of thespian karma could explain the …
Strongman Director Zachary Levy documents the daily clean-and-jerk of Stanley Pleskun, a strength-performer from South Brunswick, New Jersey, who goes by the handle “Stanless Steel” — the self-proclaimed “strongest man in the world (at bending …
Not every week brings us New York ambition mania, a new Jane Eyre, an alien invasion, and a smart vehicle for Matt McConaughey. Limitless “I took my first pill,” wrote Aldous Huxley in The Doors …
There is life after the Oscars, and it includes the San Diego Latino Film Festival. More on that, once we bring our dance card up to date: Of Gods and Men The French title is …
The Adjustment Bureau For everyone who couldn’t get enough of the Matt Damon metaphysical muddle in Hereafter, here’s a second helping, the chief lesson of which seems to be: it’s hard out there for an …
I’ve followed the work of director Brad Anderson ever since Session 9. When I was given the chance to interview him for his new film, Vanishing on 7th Street, I jumped at the opportunity. I …
As a prophet, I am a dubious Nostradamus. But I will guess the Oscars. This is an itch that must be scratched. My regard for “the Academy” is much like that of nominee Melissa Leo …
My invaluable but doomed-to-be-forgotten thoughts about the Oscars must wait until the Reader before the big night on February 27. The news of this year’s San Diego Jewish Film Festival can wait until later in …
[John Rubio interviewed Channing Tatum February 2, 2011.] Rounding the top of the staircase of the Se Hotel (lusciously subtle decoration with an Asian accent), I almost miss him until we are introduced — Channing …
Biutiful Biutiful is in the eye of the beholder, in this case one who is willing to appreciate the visceral realities of urban squalor: the confined quarters, the peeling walls, the stained sinks, and the …
Oscar nominations were announced Tuesday. I raise a tiny toast, a demitasse of delight about The King’s Speech. I could also proliferate some prose about excellent talents doomed not to enter the magic circle of …
The awards season swaggers on, but I shall refrain from commenting on the 68th Golden Globes, held last Sunday. Let us flee the limelight: Inspector Bellamy In the great harvest of film exploration and innovation …
Riding into town a day late and a dollar short, ready to review the big releases from last week. Howdy, folks. I’m staff writer Matthew Lickona. You may remember me from such Reader columns as …
Most movie critics feel compelled to draw up an annual list. A few years ago, I was amused when Roger Ebert complained that list-making has become trivialized — Roger has shoveled critical coals into the …