Category Archives: Film

The Optimist’s Summer Movie Preview 2015

As with last year, I’m checking my cynicism at the door. But that also means excluding some of the summer’s biggest movies from this article. So let’s go through the 10 films I’m most excited to see from May to … Continue reading

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The Weekender: ‘Little’ Giants

Movie of the Week Clouds of Sils Maria Olivier Assayas reflects on aging and acting in his latest critically acclaimed film. Juliette Binoche dazzles as usual, but it’s Kristen Stewart and Chloe Grace Moretz who have been getting surprising raves. … Continue reading

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The Weekender: God Bless the ‘Child’

Movie of the Week Ex Machina This one’s intrigued me for awhile. Alex Garland’s delivered something akin to Her meets The Island of Dr. Moreau. And my word, that cast. Oscar Isaac! Domnhall Gleeson! A robotic Alicia Vikander! This is … Continue reading

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The Weekender: ‘Ride’ with Me

Movie of the Week While We’re Young Noah Baumbach has been extremely hit or miss lately, but his last (Frances Ha) was a big hit with me. Still, there’s always the fear this – basically Neighbors, but in Brooklyn instead … Continue reading

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The Weekender: ‘Furious’ Vengeance

Movie of the Week Furious 7 This is the story of a franchise that figured out how to play up its camp and entertainment value, and further the careers of a diverse cast that didn’t have anywhere else to go. … Continue reading

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The Weekender: ‘Hard’ Times

Movie of the Week Danny Collins* A delightful movie with endless charm. Al Pacino plays the aging rocker who finds his mojo again after receiving a long-lost note from John Lennon. Read my review at Central Track. WIDE RELEASE • … Continue reading

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The Weekender: ‘Do You Believe’ in Life After Love?

Movie of the Week It Follows There’s been nothing but praise for David Robert Mitchell’s inventive horror flick, which tweaks the tropes of the genre for something altogether refreshing and terrifying. WIDE RELEASE • Do You Believe? • The Gunman • … Continue reading

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The Weekender: We’re Up ‘All Night’ to Get Lucky

Movie of the Week The Salvation A Western with Mads Mikkelsen? Say no more. Playing exclusively at the Texas Theatre. WIDE RELEASE • Cinderella • Run All Night LIMITED RELEASE • ’71 – The Magnolia • Heaven Adores You – … Continue reading

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The Weekender: Never Settle for ‘Second Best’

Movie of the Week Chappie Neill Blomkamp’s movies tend to go off the rail in the third act, but he’s got such a singular vision that I’m willing to forgive a lot. (Yes, I’m an Elysium apologist.) This one features … Continue reading

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The Weekender: Point of ‘Focus’

Movie of the Week Focus Will Smith has had a rough go of it the last few years, with the dreadful After Earth representing his nadir. So maybe, just maybe, this con artist drama with Margot Robbie — on a … Continue reading

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