The Moviegoer: “John Carter” Is an Entertaining Sci-Fi Fantasy Beneath the Box Office Flop
“After the film, I felt an overriding sense of satisfaction at how thoroughly entertaining John Carter was for most of its 2+ hour duration.”
The Moviegoer: Secret Worlds, New Perspectives
“The Secret World of Arrietty is a charming tribute to the inquisitive mind, to the discovery of new perspectives, and to familial love.”
The Moviegoer: “Act of Valor” (McCoy & Waugh, 2012)
“Act of Valor is not the total embarrassment that some critics say it is — though its limited purpose may prove ultimately unadmirable in some respects.”
The Moviegoer: Chronicling the Descent into Villainy
“We are not just seeing why Andrew is the way he is, but we’re also seeing how Andrew’s fractured identity is constructed by his specific perspective.”
The Moviegoer: Oscars 2012 Preview
“I want to share some predictions, hopes, and regrets for all of the major categories.”
Of Oscar Nominees and Disgruntled Critics
The films we celebrate should better support moments where we naturally feel good, and not manipulate us towards that end.
The Moviegoer: A Dark Shade of Grey
To be sure, “existential” is an apt term to describe much of “The Grey”‘s philosophical discourse.
The Moviegoer: Noticing “The Mill and the Cross”
Majewski’s film is a testament to great art, to the artist as weaver and the Artist as Master Weaver.
The Moviegoer: What’s Oscar Nostalgic For?
On Tuesday, the 2011 Oscar nominees were announced, and it seems that one of the year’s pet themes is nostalgia.
The Moviegoer: The Girl Who Played with Boundaries
“Perhaps the film relies too much on the extremes, gadgetry, and cool edginess to keep us involved in a story that offers little beneath the surface.”
The Moviegoer: “Young Adult” or Monster?
Reitman’s film aptly captures the ironic childishness of a certain kind of “young adult.”
The Moviegoer: “Of Gods and Men” (Beauvois, 2011)
Xavier Beauvois’ film is a quiet meditation on what it means to be a faithful imitator of Christ.
The Moviegoer: “The Descendants” and the Search for Stewardship
“The film’s comedic elements felt contrived, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of what could have been compelling drama.”
The Moviegoer: “Cave of Forgotten Dreams” (Herzog, 2011)
Werner Herzog guides us through the world’s oldest known art display.
The Moviegoer: “Martha Marcy May Marlene” (Durkin, 2011)
Sean Durkin’s film offers a haunting glimpse into the nature of cults and the damage they do.
The Moviegoer: The Rum Diary (Robinson, 2011)
The Rum Diary succeeds intermittently, almost in spite of the film’s protracted duration.
