Our Brand Is Crisis (David Gordon Green, 2015) Though politics is always crooked, there are some genuinely good things in Our … More
Category: movie reviews
Reviews on movies I have seen, whether they be new releases or older films.
My “Hammer to Nail” pieces on “7 Chinese Brothers” and Kat Candler
I have two pieces this week in Hammer to Nail: one on 7 Chinese Brothers and one on Kat Candler’s new short … More
Despite Some Unnecessary Hollywood Touches, “Labyrinth of Lies” Is Powerful Truth-Telling [+ a Minor Levinson, “Rock the Kasbah”]
I spent more time than expected typing up my interview with filmmaker Kat Candler about her terrific new short film, … More
New “Baltimore Sun” Podcast with Dan Rodricks
Dan Rodricks, former host of Midday on WYPR, has a new audio venture at The Baltimore Sun, where he has been … More
“Bridge of Spies” Is a Fine Historical Thriller That Meditates on American Values (i.e., It’s a Spielberg Film)
Bridge of Spies (Steven Spielberg, 2015) This movie had somehow slipped under my radar before its release. I didn’t even … More
“Crimson Peak” Is a Beautiful Bloody Mess
Crimson Peak (Guillermo del Toro, 2015) Billed as a gothic romance, Crimson Peak spurts forth today, fresh from the pulsating blood vessels … More
In “Steve Jobs,” Sorkin Offers Schema Without Reason
Steve Jobs (Danny Boyle, 2015) Aaron Sorkin has made a career writing clever scripts in which characters speak brilliantly conceived (if unrealistically articulate) … More
“Freeheld” Needs Saving
Freeheld (Peter Sollett, 2015) I have met Peter Sollett a few times, and had him Skype with my students once. He … More
A Pan of “Pan”
Pan (Joe Wright, 2015) Never having been a particular fan of Peter Pan growing up, I was unaware of the … More
Pedestrian Filmmaking Can’t Destroy “Malala”
He Named Me Malala (Davis Guggenheim, 2015) At the age of 15, Malala Yousafzai was shot by a Taliban gunman in … More