Reviews And Otherwise

Reviewing THE WHALE and mentioning, among other things, Brendan Fraser’s earlier venture into prestige filmmaking (GODS AND MONSTERS).

Discussing three of this year’s Academy Awards nominees, as well as the omissions of Danielle Deadwyler (TILL) and DECISION TO LEAVE.

Tribute to the actress/filmmaker/artist/politician who passed away at 95 earlier this week. Her 1964 film WOMAN OF STRAW, with Sean Connery and Ralph Richardson, is reviewed.

Reviewing the ambitious new films of Damien Chazelle and Noah Baumbach.

Discussing James Cameron’s visually brilliant, dramatically undernourished sequel—plus predecessors Georges Méliès and Tom Laughlin of BILLY JACK fame.

Discussion of underseen films/TV from this year including PETIT MAMAN, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN. ARMAGEDDON TIME, THE FABELMANS, the Robert Downey documentary SR., and Ethan Hawke’s THE LAST MOVIE STARS.

Comparing and contrasting two satires of the oftentimes nefarious rich. With references to Ken Adam, Peter Greenaway and THE LAST OF SHEILA.

Discussing two casualties of this awards season (though Ana De Armas may yet receive Globes/Academy attention). Plus—relating to AMSTERDAM—mention of an actual fascist takeover in Washington film, the William Randolph Hearst production GABRIEL OVER THE WHITE HOUSE.

Reviewing Ryan Coogler’s flawed but intermittently compelling sequel which doubles as a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman.

Reviews of SHE WILL, RESURRECTION, BARBARIAN and WATCHER—plus a few more thoughts on TAR.

Todd Field’s lengthy, though noncommittal (except to tilt in the direction of public indignation over the exposure of private sins) #MeToo epic about a soon to be disgraced symphony conductor (Cate Blanchett).

Reviewing Walter Hill’s return to the Western genre, plus discussing the early work that ensured a long, if sometimes uneven, career.

A few words on Billy Eichner’s gay romcom BROS—a film that doesn’t deserve its vigorous rejection by the mass audience marketplace.

Quick reactions to David Bowie as interpreted by Brett Morgen, Greg Mottola and Jon Hamm reviving the FLETCH franchise, Olivia Wilde’s uneven, but great-looking sophomore film and an overlooked Louise Fletcher performance (1983’s BRAINSTORM).

Recommending Howard Zieff’s 1973 crime comedy SLITHER, with James Caan, plus reviews of Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS and the conspicuously recycled THE BLACK PHONE.

Discussing JURASSIC WORLD: DOMINION, how THE LOST WORLD Is the actual worst of the sextet and a few words on behalf of Joe Johnston’s neglected JURASSIC PARK III.

Two very diverse filmmakers revisit their pasts: Michael Bay makes a return to his 90s mega-action heyday and David Cronenberg again combines body horror with stylized social commentary.

Reviewing the latest installment of Tom Cruise demonstrating his indestructible star power, plus brief comments on must-see non-blockbusters HAPPENING and MEN.

Survey of the cinematic year which shifted mainstream cinema from downbeat adult fare to triumphant escapism. Films discussed include ROCKY, SLAP SHOT, SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT, STAR WARS, THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, ROLLING THUNDER, SEMI-TOUGH, JULIA, THE TURNING POINT and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND.

Review of Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s spinning top family saga which has fine lead performances, but overindulges to its detriment.

A self-interview mentioning my earliest movie experiences, my first foreign film, taking a film class with Baird Whitlock (who shares a name with a Joel and Ethan Coen character, being an AFI volunteer amidst future Oscar and Tony winners and favorite film and music podcasts.

Reviews of Pixar’s metaphor for a 13-year-old Canadian/Asian girl’s adolescence, Adrian Lyne’s belated return to the erotic thriller genre and Sean Baker’s Texans hanging out (in multiple senses) followup to THE FLORIDA PROJECT.

Matt Reeves reactivates the Caped Crusader in a two hour film wearing a baggy three hour epic suit.

Reviewing Joe Wright’s overlooked CYRANO, plus the fifth SCREAM and HERE BEFORE—a character study of a mother convinced the little girl next door is the reincarnation of her deceased daughter.

Discussing the animated documentary FLEE and Paul Thomas Anderson’s deservedly praised LICORICE PIZZA.