All Posts

‘Rare Exports’ (2010) not naughty enough to be nice

The 2010s ended up being a decade of unoriginality (with comic book stories’ translations to film being the defining point). An odd consequence of that

READ MORE

‘Under the Banner of Heaven’ a ripping critique of religion

As a rule of thumb, I figure religions are neutral forces. Good or evil people will use religion as an outlet for their ingrained good

READ MORE

Donner, Murray add nutmeg to a classic in ‘Scrooged’ (1988)

Director Richard Donner’s “Scrooged” (1988) reimagines Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with a cynical 1980s edge, without sacrificing the timeless message. Bill Murray is the

READ MORE

‘Don’t Drink the Water’ adapted poorly (1969) and, well, better (1994)

Before Woody Allen gained enough clout to write and direct his own work, he saw some of it in the hands of other filmmakers –

READ MORE

‘Giants’ Bread’ (1930) a tragedy of love, creative drive

In “Giants’ Bread” (1930, sometimes published as “Giant’s Bread”), her first Mary Westmacott novel, Agatha Christie seems to be as driven to write a non-genre

READ MORE

‘Beavis and Butt-head’ more smartly stupid than ever in Season 9

Stupidity knows no generational boundary, as “Beavis and Butt-head” proves with the 22 15-minute episodes and one half-hour episode that make up Season 9 (Paramount

READ MORE

‘Anna and the Apocalypse’ (2017) is fun … until the end

In the musical zombie comedy “Anna and the Apocalypse” (2017), the cliched themes of “High School Musical” meet the tropes of “The Walking Dead” in

READ MORE

‘Unaccompanied Minors’ (2006) are unaccompanied by laughs

Around the turn of the century, Judd Apatow and Paul Feig collaborated on “Freaks and Geeks” and “Undeclared,” two of the all-time best (and most

READ MORE

Allen skewers star-making culture in ‘Celebrity’ (1998)

A prolific filmmaker with a home base outside of Hollywood, Woody Allen is positioned to both view and be baffled by celebrity culture. In 1980’s

READ MORE

‘Elephants Can Remember’ (1972) easy to forget 

“Elephants Can Remember” (1972) isn’t Agatha Christie’s worst novel — “The Big Four” and “Passenger to Frankfurt” are less readable. But it is her thinnest

READ MORE