The Way, Way Back–Movie Review
The Way, Way Back (IMDB) is a fairly high-minded teen coming-of-age comedy. It’s amusing and well-acted. Duncan (Liam James) is a shy, awkward 14 year old. His mother Pam (Toni… Read more »
Category: Movies
Why all blockbusters seem alike
Does it seem to you that all Hollywood summer movies are pretty much alike. You’re not imagining things. Peter Suderman in Slate explains Save the Movie! The 2005 screenwriting book… Read more »
Pacific Rim–Movie Review
Pacific Rim (IMDB) is a movie that aims fairly low and hits the target, delivering 132 minutes of mindless popcorn-munching diversion. The story, co-written by director Guillermo del Toro, is… Read more »
The Heat–Movie Review
This is not a particularly original movie. A straight-laced by-the-book good cop is forced to partner with a slovenly rule-breaking bad cop. Hilarity ensues. Also explosions. However The Heat (IMDB)… Read more »
This is the End–Movie Review
If you’ve read enough of my reviews you have probably figured out that I will forgive a movie just about anything if it is funny enough. I gave positive reviews… Read more »
Stories We Tell–Movie Review
I went to see Stories We Tell (IMDB) without knowing much about it, based on some enthusiastic critical reviews. In the end I found it interesting but not really outstanding…. Read more »
The Great Gatsby–Movie Review
I think the only fair way to review a movie like The Great Gatsby (IMDB) is to ask how well it stands on its own. How good would this movie… Read more »
From Up on Poppy Hill–Movie Review
From Up on Poppy Hill (IMDB) (Kokuriko-zaka Kara) is not the greatest movie that Studio Ghibli ever made. Still, even a second-rank Studio Ghibli film probably beats a first-rank film… Read more »
42–Movie Review
The move 42 (IMDB) begins with the disclaimer “Based on a true story” which is commonly a bad sign. However this movie sticks pretty close to the facts–a good idea… Read more »
Spring Breakers–Movie Review
There seems to be some disagreement among reviewers about whether Spring Breakers (IMDB) is just a trashy exploitation movie or whether it is a gripping drama featuring stinging social commentary.