A Monster Calls (J.A. Bayona, 2016) In his introduction to the 2011 book on which this movie is based, author…
Enjoyable, if Simplistic, “Hidden Figures” Sheds Needed Light on Hidden History of NASA
[Note: This review also appeared on Film Festival Today.] Hidden Figures (Theodore Melfi, 2016) Hidden Figures is the second feature from writer/director Theodore Melfi,…
“Paterson” Celebrates the Magic of Our Ordinary World
[Note: This review also appeared on Film Festival Today.] Paterson (Jim Jarmusch, 2016) Ever since his first theatrical feature, Stranger Than Paradise, in 1984…
Mr. Reed’s Metaphysical Neighborhood Presents the Best and Worst Films of 2016
[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…
