Looking Closer
This time, Spielberg focuses on the delicate art of bringing characters to life instead of the anxious work of provoking one's audience into reacting. Read more
This time, Spielberg focuses on the delicate art of bringing characters to life instead of the anxious work of provoking one's audience into reacting. Read more
I would not say that I find the movie satisfying, but I do find it powerfully haunting. And that is my way of paying the filmmaker and her cast a compliment. To be haunted by a work of art is a better thing than to be satisfied by it. It means that the movie will play on in my imagination, challenging me and asking me to pay attention. I cannot paraphrase with any certainty what "The Loneliest Planet" means, but I am certain that it is extraordinarily meaningful... Read more
Robert Zemeckis's catalog of movies is like a box of chocolates: You may not know what flavor you're going to get, but the rest of the experience is predictable. Each movie may be a little crunchy, but they'll all melt in your mouth, giving you a fleeting sugar high, and then vanishing without any lasting benefit. "Flight" is no exception. Read more
Which Wes Anderson movie is your favorite? And why? I want to know. And if you're willing to share, I might share your perspective on an upcoming podcast. You might even win a portrait of Raleigh St. Clair (Bill Murray). Here are the details... Read more
So, Princess Leia is a Disney Princess now. Despite all of the fanboy dreams that are kindled by the news, I still can't get excited about it. Lucas did a thorough job of spoiling my enjoyment of the world he created. Still... if Disney hired me as a consultant, here's what I'd suggest... Read more
“A Tale of Two Rivers” — my reflections on Robert Redford’s film A River Runs Through It and the territory that it explores — are posted today at Good Letters, the blog hosted by IMAGE. Read more
In the new issue of Image, there's an interview with Marilynne Robinson that is so inspiring, I keep slowing down and reading small pieces of it again and again. Here's an excerpt. Read more
Redford's adaptation of A River Runs Through It turned 20 years old last week. Today, it remains vivid and fresh and profound. It restores my soul. Read more
Today at Filmwell, a film blog (?) that lives at The Other Journal, Michael Leary and I begin an epic journey, playing Siskel and Ebert all the way through what the Sight and Sound 2012 critics poll has voted the top ten films of all time. Read more
I'm pondering six films as I decide which I'll write about for my next post at Good Letters. I've heard from several people, and Fellini's 8 1/2 seems to be the popular choice. What do you think? Peruse the list here... Read more
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