Dream Scenario movie review: (un)likely boogeyman
Nicolas Cage is comedic in a dry, subtle, nakedly painful way, playing with his “Cage rage” persona; his performance is profoundly moving. I only wish the film was more deserving of what he’s doing.
Adaptation
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent movie review: Cage, staged
Amusing but instantly forgettable, fueled by a self-congratulatory smugness and self-reference. The best bits are the sincere stuff: a scene-stealing Pedro Pascal and a sweetly vulnerable Nic(k) Cage.
Zoom movie review: zoom out
This is what happens when men try to tell a story primarily about women — and also try to ape Charlie Kaufman — and fail miserably.
Anomalisa movie review: maximal mundanity
An astonishing, even perception-altering experience that represents a startling use of animation to tell a story that no live-action film could tell.
The Face of an Angel movie review: fiction is stronger than truth
A contemplative film pondering the nature of the difference between reality and fiction, one with resonance beyond the true-crime story it’s kinda sorta about.
Her movie review: manic pixel dream girl
It’s the rise of the machines as romantic dramedy, and the Singularity as romantic tragedy. It’s the nicest, gentlest sci-fi horror film ever.
the Eye of Sauron, it burns (and other adventures in social networking)
Links my followers on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ saw today…
Friday night fortune cookie: John Laroche says…
“Sometimes bad things happen and darkness descends.”
December 23-25: DVD alternatives to this weekend’s multiplex offerings
We know how it is: You’d like to go to the movies this weekend, but… prezzies! toys! candy canes! snowball fights! big holiday dinner! But you can have a multiplex-like experience at home with a collection of the right DVDs. And when someone asks you on Monday, “Hey, did you see Sherlock Holmes this weekend?” … more…
North American box office: ‘Paranormal Activity’ performs supernaturally
The little horror movie that could just keeps on keeping on: 1. Paranormal Activity: $21.1 million (2nd week in wide release; more than doubled its number of screens; up 8%) 2. Saw VI: $14.1 million (NEW) 3. Where the Wild Things Are: $14 million (2nd week; drops 57%) 4. Law Abiding Citizen: $12.4 million (2nd … more…
