Monthly Archives: March 2014

Movie Review: “Better Living Through Chemistry”

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Roger Moore

Dissolute, strung-out and in revolt against adulthood — those screen traits are right in Sam Rockwell’s comic character actor wheelhouse. Yes, he can play it straight and yes he has range. But muss his hair, redden his eyes and hide … Continue reading →

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Questions for Aaron Paul, who has a “Need for Speed”?

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Roger Moore

The third break out star from “Breaking Bad,” Aaron Paul is the only one young enough to have a marquee-topping movie career within his reach. His first big screen star vehicle is “Need for Speed,” which opens Friday. He plays … Continue reading →

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Movie Rated: Von Trier revisits the Golden Age of Arty Porn with “Nymphomaniac”

Posted on March 8, 2014 by Roger Moore

Lars Von Trier, the cinemas greatest provocateur, dips his toe in porn with “Nymphomaniac: Vol. 1.” Dull, carnal, and explicitly so in both regards, it’s a slow-moving slog through one crushed soul as she relates the empty, passionless pursuits of … Continue reading →

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Fargo Theatre tribute to “Fargo” — as seen at the Fargo Film Festival

Posted on March 8, 2014 by Roger Moore

I had moved away from North Dakota, but only recently, when “Fargo” came out. And returning here for the Fargo Film Festival, I was reminded of the region’s ambivalent relationship to the movie that made it famous. In Q & … Continue reading →

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Box Office: “12 Years a Slave” gets Oscar bump, “300” blows up, “Peabody” underwhelms

Posted on March 8, 2014 by Roger Moore

“300: Rise of an Empire” didn’t get the grand reviews of the 2006 film that made Gerard Butler a star. And it doesn’t have Gerard. Or many Spartans. It’s about flabbier Greek farmers and merchants and thinkers and politicians, turned … Continue reading →

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Weekend Box Office: Will “300” slaughter “Mr. Peabody”?

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Roger Moore

This is a decent weekend for new movie openings and that very well may be reflected in the box office take of the first weekend of March. Will “300: Rise of an Empire” clear $40 million, thanks to 3D ticket … Continue reading →

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Fargo Film Festival hits the jackpot with North Dakota oil patch documentaries

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Roger Moore

North Dakota was a national punchline for decades, a flat, arid state that was losing population and seemed more remote from “The Real America” with every passing year. “Fargo” wasn’t just a film title, it was a state of isolation, … Continue reading →

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Fargo Film Festival, at the fabulous art deco Fargo Theatre

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Roger Moore

The finest preserved art deco movie palace in America is in Fargo, North Dakota, believe it or not. Since I got my start reviewing just up the road in Grand Forks, I accepted an invitation to come to Fargo’s 14th … Continue reading →

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Elijah Wood finds work, and a piano in his new life in Austin

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Roger Moore

There’s a huge, scary gap between “piano lessons as a kid” and playing “the most gifted concert pianist of his era” in a movie. But these days, Elijah Wood lives for fear. One thing “Grand Piano” was sure to do … Continue reading →

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Weekend reviews: Strong notices for “Budapest,” “Mr. Peabody,” “Grand Piano” — “300” barely passes

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Roger Moore

Last weekend didn’t produce any film that earned widespread acclaim from North America’s working critics. But the arrival of March has turned the corner on that as a number of pretty good wide releases chase “Pompeii”, “Son of God” and … Continue reading →

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