Memoir of War (La Douleur) movie review: woman on the homefront
Marguerite Duras’s semifictionalized memoir of psychological survival and emotional endurance in Paris during the Nazi occupation makes an uneasy, listless transition to the screen.
The Happytime Murders movie review: schlock puppets
Ugly, sordid, and proud of it, with less than no justification. “Meet the Feebles meets Who Framed Roger Rabbit” conveys a far greater sense of dignity, cohesion, and purpose than this witness movie deserves.
Queer Eye S1/S2 television review: self-care for the straight guy
The nicest, kindest critique of toxic masculinity imaginable. The makeovers aren’t only about new clothes and a haircut: they’re about men waking up to a new sense of self, and a new participation in their own lives.
movies by or about women opening US/Can from Fri Aug 24
Emily Mortimer opens a bookshop; Melissa McCarthy investigates puppet murder; more…
movies by or about women opening UK/Ire from Wed Aug 22
Susanna Fogel directs a comedy about a spy’s girlfriend; Renee Edwards directs a documentary about New Orleans musicians; more…
The Children Act movie review: objections, sustained
Courtroom drama? Portrait of a marriage? Character study of a workaholic? This frustratingly random film cannot figure out what it is or what it wants to say… but Emma Thompson’s beautifully empathetic performance is worth your time.
Alpha movie review: dog tired
The remarkable Ice Age setting is all that distinguishes — and not by much — a depressingly conventional boy-and-his-dog story.
I’ve just finished watching Netflix’s ‘Queer Eye’…
Should I write about it? I will if I get 10 new Patreon patrons by Saturday morning-ish…
The Bookshop movie review: quiet portrait of a woman of words
It’s weighed down by unnecessary narration and a surprising lack of conflict. But star Emily Mortimer and director Isabel Coixet create a character study of a rarity onscreen: an earnestly cerebral woman.
movies by or about women opening US/Can from Wed Aug 15
Adele Lim and Lea Carpenter cowrite two of the week’s wide releases, (respectively) Crazy Rich Asians and Mile 22. Progress!
