It’s hard for me to remember a film with as divergent a critical response as Synecdoche, New York which made many reviewers best and worst films of 2008 lists at the end of the year. I can sympathize with those who didn’t enjoy the film – to its credit it never even tries to meet [...]
Like it’s title, The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford can feel like too much on the plate, let alone the movie theater marquee. Truth be told, on my first attempt to watch it the sonorous narration, beautiful photography and leisurely pacing conspired to lull me into a sound sleep. Not a [...]
In Bruges finds its central metaphor in a Hieronymus Bosch vision of purgatory, a crazy mishmash that’s beautiful, disturbing, funny, and ultimately a way station to the next plane of existence for those depicted. As is Bruges itself in the skewed vision of writer/director Martin McDonough, reteaming Brendan Gleeson, star of his first feature Six [...]
A few weeks ago we looked at the best albums of 1969 – now it’s time to take a look at that year’s best films. It was a year when the line between exploitation pic and blockbuster were blurrier than ever and when the close of a tumultuous decade was cause for reflection around the [...]
It’s easy to think of at least a few films and performances that got robbed at Oscar nominations time. The Dark Knight for picture and director come to mind, as does WAll-E for the same,Cate Blanchett for Benjamin Button, Michelle Williams for Wendy and Lucy, and Debra Winger for Rachel Getting Married all were conspicuous. [...]
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