Grace of Monaco movie review: it’s hard to be a woman
It’s not emotionally enthralling, but there’s still much that’s intriguing in this portrait of a woman who refused to let herself be pushed out of frame.
1960s
The Two Faces of January movie review: without a Hitch
There’s delicious movie-movie elegance in the exotic locales and the period dress, but not much tension to be found in the murderous misadventures on offer.
Half of a Yellow Sun review: history with a romantic flourish
Oh what a lovely film! As romance and history, this is by turns funny and tragic, suspenseful and celebratory, and never less than solidly entertaining.
Inside Llewyn Davis review: trying of the human spirit
Hilarious in the Coens’ weird, askew way, but also absolutely crushing. This movie breaks my heart in a hundred different ways.
Saving Mr. Banks review: behold the unclassic curmudgeon
A smart, snappy, soulful look at how Mary Poppins got Disneyfied, and the redemptive power of story for both teller and listener.
Parkland review (London Film Festival)
This poignant and painful ensemble drama about the lesser-known figures caught up in the JFK assassination reminds us that history happens to regular people, too.
From Up on Poppy Hill review: gentle as a seaside breeze
Joyously warm and gentle… though perhaps too gentle to be entirely satisfying.
feel the rush of endorkins (Star Trek Into Darkness review)
A Star Trek for our times. Very much for our times. Which means there’s little hope to be found here…
Michael Shannon will cut you up (The Iceman review)
Though based on copious interviews mob killer Richard Kuklinski gave from prison, this barely broaches the great mystery of his life…
porn again? (The Look of Love review)
It’s a puzzlement. How did Michael Winterbottom make a film this tediously conservative?
