Process and perception. Those are the two cinematic concepts I kept pondering throughout the entirety of Black Swan. These are two themes that are clearly a focus of director Darren Aronofsky’s work to date. When a director becomes an above-the-title auteur, it’s time to start talking about his thematic preoccupations. I think Aronofsky … Continue reading
Didn’t actually see Yogi Bear, to tell the truth. My baby niece wanted to see it for weeks and her happiness is more important than mine, so as soon as we got the chance, I took her to the theater. We bought the popcorn. We sat down. We lasted five minutes. Yogi Bear made his … Continue reading
Did we get there? Did the miracle happen already? Please don’t get me wrong now: I love the Christmas season. I love holiday cheer. I’m well with that. Anyone who misinterprets me is just plain misjudging. I’m a holiday kind of guy. I just hate repetition. Christmas is a magical time when the aura of … Continue reading
TRON: Legacy is the big ocular love affair of 2010. You can bring your brain to the party, but your eyes are gonna get asked to dance first. Don’t feel too bad about it. The in-house DJ is going to keep things moving. Everybody gets to go home exhilarated. Really, the first element of … Continue reading
This is one of the best movies of 2010. Accordingly, I wrote what I hope to be one of my better and deeper film appraisals to date. Please let me know if you get the chance to read it, either before or after you see the movie. ________________________________ “Could you cut off … Continue reading
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale. Remember that title. If you’re the right kind of person, this title will become a beloved part of your Christmastime movie schedule for years to come. This is one of those sweet, weird, awesome little movies that will catch you by surprise and brighten up your whole moviegoing season, … Continue reading
Faster is the first time I’ve seen a movie attempt to become a badass action-movie classic by opening with a close-up of a man’s nipples. I know you’ve seen the trailers and the posters and you’re going in there expecting to see Dwayne Johnson’s famous arched-eyebrowed glare, or even his surging biceps, but no, the first … Continue reading
When you get in a habit of writing about movies and their makers, you get in a secondary habit of writing memorial pieces to the dearly departed. Looking back doesn’t have to be a melancholy process; it can also be an occasion to celebrate favorite film presences who always deserve the attention. Today, November … Continue reading
Legendary film producer Dino de Laurentiis passed away today at the age of 91. If you page through his astounding list of credits, you’ll see as many interesting fringe items as generally-acknowledged classic movies. For having a hand in some of my favorite movies (both to watch and to talk about), I will be … Continue reading
Link is currently enjoying a small surge in its cult following. Last month there was a Cinefamily event in Los Angeles hosted by comedian Doug Benson a couple weeks ago, and a positive review by the one and only Vern (one of the better webcritics you could follow) around the same time. The buck … Continue reading