Menashe movie review: the unhappy nonconformist
A bittersweet, deeply human tale, one with a documentary sense of discovery to its setting: a little seen, highly insular ultraorthodox Jewish community.
Ferdinand movie review: no bull, it’s wonderful
Goofy, charming, faithful to its sweet source material, and all while advancing the standard “Be yourself” message with fresh challenges to gender expectations.
The Rape of Recy Taylor documentary review: meet the unheralded badass Black women of recent American history
Enraging, and eye-opening, the beginning of the antidote for how Black women’s lives get erased in America. Tells a story that we should recognize as epic.
A Matter of Life and Death (aka Stairway to Heaven) (4K restoration) movie review: paradise on Earth
One of the most beloved British films ever is now even more lush, more gorgeous, more humanist in a glorious new restored edition.
11/8/16 (aka November 8th) documentary review: too soon, too soon
An important portrait of America on the day that changed it for the worse… but difficult to watch, with the impact of the election still spiraling out of control.
The Disaster Artist movie review: a view on ‘The Room’
A hilarious ode to talentless passion. James Franco gives the bizarre Tommy Wiseau depth without solving his mystery, but skips a deserved zing at Hollywood.
I’m doing National Novel Writing Month! (updated)
My book is tentatively entitled The Righteous Guild Conspiracy, and it’s a Dan Brown–style mystery adventure set on a human-inhabited planet that is not Earth.
Love Is Thicker Than Water movie review: so, love is a sludge, then?
This would-be modern Romeo-and-Juliet tale is little more than a pile-on of class stereotypes, contrived dialogue, and one whopper of a coincidence.
The Fencer (Miekkailija) movie review: en garde against yourself
The true story of an Estonian sports hero offers a lovely twist on a familiar tale. A cinematic triumph from a nation that’s been missing from the global film stage.
‘Die Hard’ is a Christmas movie
In our troubled times, it’s important to stand up for what you believe in.
