Chasing Mavericks review
This gentle father-son(ish) tale about an expert surfer and his teen apprentice is a rare “family” movie that isn’t preachy or insipid.
historical
Anno 1790 review: Sherlock in 18th-century Sweden
So awesome that I almost can’t bear it. And so relevant to today: Are the battles between rich and poor, science and superstition, freedom and repression actually endless?
Diana review: princess of whines
Transforms the beloved “People’s Princess” into a drippy, unappealing rom-com heroine, sort of like Bridget Jones with bodyguards.
1 (aka 1: Life on the Limit) review (London Film Festival)
Action packed, with tons of amazing archival footage, but if you don’t already have an interest in Formula 1, it’s unlikely you’ll find one here.
The Frozen Ground review
In a rote cat-and-mouse cop-and-serial-killer story, Vanessa Hudgens’ “victim” is far more compelling than either cop Nicolas Cage or killer John Cusack.
As I Lay Dying review (London Film Festival)
If this isn’t a deliberate parody of furiously solemn, self-conscious artistic pretension, it’s an accidental one.
Rush review: man + machine vs man + machine
A thoroughly magnificent film on every level, with astonishing performances by Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl; one of the very best films of 2013.
Hammer of the Gods review
This is what happens when your Lord of the Rings cosplay gets overrun by Method stuntmen.
Pain and Gain review: American nightmare
A bleak, bitter, wicked pleasure that holds up the underpinnings of modern America — self-help, Jesus, and violence — for ridicule.
Rebellion (L’ordre et la morale) review
Sporadically exciting French action drama about a 1988 hostage crisis drags more often than it should.
