Selma movie review: the march of time is slow
A magnificent film, vital and alive, with the most profound sense of immediacy I think I’ve ever felt in a historical story.
historical
Oscar Nominated Live-Action Shorts (87th Academy Awards) review
Three of the five nominees are about women, and it’s hardly a surprise that their fresh perspective results in stories that are new and original.
The Devil’s Violinist movie review: all the wrong notes
A hilariously histrionic depiction of 19th-century superstar violinist Niccolò Paganini’s rise to fame, far more Monty Python than Mozart.
Exodus: Gods and Kings movie review: whites only
Simultaneously the dullest and the most insulting version of itself it could possibly be. If only it had managed to be campy, that’d be something…
The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death movie review: orphan blech
Thinks it’s hitting notes of subconscious dread, but it’s just swinging a sledgehammer of tropes and hoping one of them sticks. (Spoiler: None do.)
Unbroken movie review: where war movies have gone before
Jack O’Connell is the most exciting young actor to break out in years, and he makes this overly familiar film worth your time… if only just.
Wild movie review (London Film Festival)
A film full of spectacular landscapes of both the natural world and the human spirit. This is what it looks like when women get to be people onscreen.
Merchants of Doubt documentary review: capitalism kills
Opens our eyes to the PR sleight of hand that huge corporations deploy to protect their profits when facts and science aren’t going their way. Enraging.
Pioneer movie review: there will be oil
What is intended to be a suspenseful period drama of paranoia and conspiracy is far too slow-moving and meandering to truly engage.
Hockney documentary review (London Film Festival)
You don’t need to be a fan of the artist to enjoy this spirited celebration of his life and art. But you may end up a fan afterward.
