The reviews of Prometheus from the film critics I admire and trust are saying just about what I expected: That it’s full of intensity and big visual spectacles… the stuff that makes a good trailer… but it’s severely lacking in thoughtful storytelling and decent writing. I’m not surprised. I haven’t been impressed by a Ridley Scott film since Matchstick Men, and I haven’t been excited about a Ridley Scott film since the early 1980s. His films walk like big important... Read more
Can’t stop thinking about today’s announcement: That Tom and Ray Magliozzi of Car Talk fame are retiring. Anne and I have listened to Car Talk almost religiously on Saturday mornings for years. Tom and Ray have been a joy because… (more…) Read more
I’ve been feeling a lot of gratitude for Fred Rogers recently. Maybe it’s because I’ve made it a new “life rule” to withdraw from online interaction that is characterized by contentiousness and dialogue-dominating personalities. I recently said farewell to an online community that I’d enjoyed for years because I could feel myself being provoked into a kind of dialogue that I want to avoid. I don’t mind criticism; in fact, I seek it out. But I’m allergic to criticism that... Read more
I’ve been feeling a lot of gratitude for Fred Rogers recently. Maybe it’s because I’ve made it a new “life rule” to withdraw from online interaction that is characterized by contentiousness and dialogue-dominating personalities. I shut down comments on this blog because it became taxing to deal with hostile voices there. And I left an online community that I’d enjoyed for years because I could feel myself being provoked into a kind of dialogue that I want to avoid. I... Read more
Steve Carell will inspire you… (more…) Read more
This is a work in progress: a running list of my favorite films by year. 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1970s 1960s 1950s 1940s 1930s 1920s AN INTRODUCTION: Organizing any film list is a challenge. Should I catalog films by year, like most people? If so, how do I determine the release... Read more
Here is the current (but occasionally updated) list of my favorite films from 2011. In order to understand the purpose and meaning of this list, please read my introduction to the Looking Closer Favorite Films lists here. • 2011 The Tree of Life (reviews) Pina* (review) A Separation* The Mill and the Cross The Kid With a Bike* Buck Martha Marcy May Marlene (review) Nostalgia for the Light Tuesday, After Christmas* War Horse (review) The Muppets (review) Film Socialisme* Hugo... Read more
Here is the current (but occasionally updated) list of my favorite films from 2010. In order to understand the purpose and meaning of this list, please read my introduction to the Looking Closer Favorite Films lists here. • 2010 Certified Copy* (review) Toy Story 3 (review) Of Gods and Men* (review) Lucky Life* (review) True Grit* (review) Winter’s Bone (review) The Social Network (review) Another Year* (some comments) Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives* (review) Meek’s Cutoff* (review) Four... Read more
Here is the current (but occasionally updated) list of my favorite films from 2009. In order to understand the purpose and meaning of this list, please read my introduction to the Looking Closer Favorite Films lists here. • 2009 The Secret of Kells* (two-part review: Pt. 1, Pt. 2) Up (review) Where the Wild Things Are (review) A Serious Man (review) Coraline (review) Lourdes* A Town Called Panic* The Fantastic Mr. Fox The Girlfriend Experience Bright Star Moon The Maid Mary and... Read more
Here is the current (but occasionally updated) list of my favorite films from 2008. In order to understand the color-coding, the purpose, and meaning of this list, please read my introduction to the Looking Closer Favorite Films lists here. Red = Treasures Purple = Favorites Blue = Achievements Gray = Decent/Noteworthy Green = Unseen or Undecided * = This film was discovered after the year in question and added in a list revision. 2008 Summer Hours* (review) Séraphine* (review) WALL•E Everlasting... Read more
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