[For an explanation of my blog post title, check out my “best of” list from 2013.] Below you will find lists of…
5 Pieces @hammertonail: Reviews of “Baden Baden,” “Risky Drinking,” “8-Bit Generation,” “I, Daniel Blake” + Criterion Blu-Ray of “The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum”
Since my last post about Hammer to Nail, the site has posted 5 more reviews of mine: Baden Baden, a French coming-of-age film…
“Fences” Showcases Great Performances
Fences (Denzel Washington, 2016) The great American playwright August Wilson (1945-2005) may no longer be physically of this world, but…
In Disturbing “Elle,” Isabelle Huppert, As Always, Mesmerizes
Elle (Paul Verhoeven, 2016) Now 78, Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven has long since graduated beyond enfant terrible, if that moniker were…
In Moving “Lion,” Dev Patel Roars
[Note: This review also appeared on Film Festival Today.] Lion (Garth Davis, 2016) Based on the memoir A Long Way Home, by Saroo…
The Dilemma of “Jackie”: Beautiful to Behold, Unbearable to Watch
[Note: This review also appeared on Film Festival Today.] Jackie (Pablo Larraín, 2016) We first meet her in close-up, shot in muted…
Rodricks, Reed and DeLibero on the Films of December 2016
Today, Linda DeLibero – Director, Film and Media Studies, Johns Hopkins University – and Christopher Llewellyn Reed (that’s me) – Chair and Professor, Department…
“A Kind of Murder” Is a Worthy Tribute to Highsmith
A Kind of Murder (Andy Goddard, 2016) The late, great American writer Patricia Highsmith (1921-1995) – best known for books like…
“Collateral Beauty” Offers Mostly Collateral Damage
[This review will also appear at Film Festival Today, and when it does, I will link to that review.] Collateral Beauty (David Frankel,…
“La La Land” Is a Magical, Musical Paean to the Hollywood Dream Factory
[Note: This review also appeared on Film Festival Today.] La La Land (Damien Chazelle, 2016) From its exuberant opening musical number, set…
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