Welcome to Leith documentary review: when hate comes to town
An uncomfortable, essential documentary that takes no sides as it raises questions about American ideals that are almost unanswerable but demand exploration.
political
War Book movie review: the fate of humanity
Riveting, terrifying, and unafraid to confront its own quiet horror. One of the most important movies ever about nuclear weapons and modern governance.
13 Minutes (aka Elser) movie review: the ultimate what-if
This intense dramatization of the true story of a failed attempt to assassinate Hitler in 1939 is an unpleasant experience but a provocative one.
Forbidden Films: The Hidden Legacy of Nazi Film documentary review: the power of propaganda
A frustrating movie in some ways, but an important reminder of the power of cinema to manipulate and seduce us, and not always for the better.
The Emperor’s New Clothes documentary review: working-class wonk
Russell Brand’s angry-funny rant about the current system of widescale economic injustice is concise, comprehensible, and newly infuriating.
Child 44 movie review: Stalin glance
Overly complicated yet somehow anticlimactic, and constructed more with pat Hollywood pomp rather than the authentic grit it demands.
A Little Chaos movie review: necessary fantasy
Romantic and funny and smart and wise and just plain different. This is a historical costume dramedy romp about gardening. How cool is that?
Woman in Gold movie review: more than just a pretty picture
A deeply moving and very satisfying piece of entertainment that knits up seemingly disparate elements in a tapestry of family pain and pride.
Beyond the Mask movie review: assassin’s creed
Wannabe Christian swashbuckler throws a lot of stuff up on the screen in the hopes that something will stick as exciting and romantic. None of it does.
The Divergent Series: Insurgent movie review: being human
Sneakily undercuts tropes of the young-adult hero’s journey. But in a more adventurous movie environment, this wouldn’t feel this fresh as it does.
