“Qu’est-ce que le cinéma?” (“What is the cinema?”), asked the great French film theorist André Bazin. The simple act of … More
Category: movie reviews
Reviews on movies I have seen, whether they be new releases or older films.
Join “The Overnight” Party for Frivolous (NSFW) Fun
The Overnight (Patrick Brice, 2015) I saw this film back in March, at the annual SXSW Festival, and loved it. After … More
T1 + T2 = T5: “Terminator Genisys” Is Best Film in Franchise Since “Judgment Day”
Terminator Genisys (Alan Taylor, 2015) The Gubernator is back, and the good news is that he’s as watchable as ever. With … More
“Magic Mike XXL” Offers XXS Pleasures
Magic Mike XXL (Gregory Jacobs, 2015) The women loved it. That is, the largely female audience at the preview screening … More
“Ted 2” Is a Crass Act, but Not a Total Failure
Ted 2 (Seth MacFarlane, 2015) Did you see (and like) Ted, Seth MacFarlane’s 2012 box-office hit? If so, the sequel could … More
Herzog’s Happy Homily: The Death-Defying Cinematic Stunt of “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, 2015) “Nature here is vile and base … there’s a lot … More
“Inside Out” Reminds Us of Why Pixar (and Being Human) Is Special
Inside Out (Pete Docter/Ronaldo Del Carmen, 2015) Inside Out may not quite rival the first 10 minutes of Up (co-director Pete … More
“Gemma Bovery” Is a Delightful, If Slight, Romp through Flaubert’s Tragedy
Gemma Bovery (Anne Fontaine, 2014) Are you familiar with a British graphic novel entitled Gemma Bovery? No? Neither was I. When I … More
In “Jurassic World,” 3D Dinosaurs Eat 2D Humans (and That’s a Good Thing)
Jurassic World (Colin Trevorrow, 2015) In Jurassic World, dinosaurs rule. Brought back from extinction by the machinations of mad scientists and businessmen, … More
In “Spy,” a Fine Supporting Team Propels Agent Melissa McCarthy to 00-Comedy
[NOTE: I reviewed this on the radio on June 5, along with “Entourage” and “San Andreas.” The reviews start at 38min. … More