Citizenfour (Laura Poitras, 2014) I am unfamiliar with the work of documentary filmmaker Laura Poitras, but after watching Citizenfour I feel…
In Masterful “Birdman,” Michael Keaton Goes Mad. Much Fun Is Had.
Birdman or (the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (Alejandro González Iñárritu, 2014) The Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu has been making feature films…
The Anti-Hero Makes Good: “St. Vincent” & “John Wick”
Today, in Baltimore, two new movies open that each celebrate a different kind of anti-hero. Like their protagonists, the films…
Take Great “Pride” in the Name of Solidarity
Pride (Matthew Warchus, 2014) If, like me, you grew up with the songs of Pete Seeger played loudly, and proudly,…
The Cosmic Inconsequence of “Men, Women & Children”
Men, Women & Children (Jason Reitman, 2014) What to say, what to say? This is a movie that takes itself so…
The “Fury” of War: Ideals Are Peaceful; History Is Violent
Fury (David Ayer, 2014) The opening shot of Fury – the new film from writer/director David Ayer (End of Watch) – is at…
3 (reviews) x 3 (movies) on 10/17/14 Midday Show: “Fury,” “Men, Women & Children” and “Pride”
[NOTE: Missed the show? Check out the podcast – I’m on in final 7 minutes.] Join me on Midday with Dan Rodricks (WYPR…
“Kill the Messenger” Speaks (Cinematic) Truth to Power
Kill the Messenger (Michael Cuesta, 2014) Gary Webb was a reporter for the San Jose Mercury News in 1996 when he came across…
Going Gillian: The Compelling Repellant Oddness of David Fincher’s “Gone Girl”
Gone Girl (David Fincher, 2014) David Fincher releases his 10th feature film today, adding to a vastly entertaining and compelling body…
Goin’, Goin’, “Gone Girl” Fincher: Midday on Film, 10/3/14 @ 1pm
[NOTE: If you missed our show, check out the podcast.] Born in 1962, David Fincher began his directing career in…
