Yearly Archives: 2018

In “Incredibles 2,” the villain is named “The Screenslaver,” a monster straight out of the American Id, as relevant as each day’s latest panic-stricken headlines. Screenslaver has identified our weakness  — “screens,” that we “don’t talk. You watch talk shows. … Continue reading →

I’ve made my fondness for Ruth Wilson (TV’s “The Affair”) and the omnipresent Domhnall Gleeson all too clear all too often in this space. Now, they’re paired up in a period piece set “between the wars,” with Charlotte Rampling and … Continue reading →

There’s emotional satisfaction in hating. It helps one cope with the Curse of Relative Deprivation. “Why am I here while this rich, no-talent so-and-so is out living a better version of my life?” You know. That. And Max, the hero … Continue reading →

Life would be tough enough for Mallory, a pale freckled redhead in boarding school in Bangkok. She crossed the Russian Mean Girl at school, the sort who cracks her knuckles after bloodying Mallory’s nose, hits her with “Hey, Snitch, I swear to … Continue reading →

It’s hard to know what to make of “Path of Blood.” The documentary begins with Islamic fanatics and narration underscoring efforts to create, or recreate “a global Muslim empire,” of making war on “the Crusaders.” That would be us. And … Continue reading →

What do the stars of the “Universal Soldier” film series have in common with “Brokeback Mountain” cowboys? Jean-Claude Van Damme, the onetime “Muscles from Brussels,” and Dolph Lundgren, the “Siberian (Stockholm, actually) Express,” just can’t quit each other. They reunite yet … Continue reading →

Jesse Plemons is that fleshy redhead who shows up in a movie and makes you go, “Oh, it’s that GUY.” He was the scary square cop from “Game Night,” the square too-young lawyer in “The Post,” a green cavalry trooper … Continue reading →

I think it’s safe to say that Netflix has found itself a niche, teen comedies with a sexual edge, “raw dog” high school sex farces. “The Kissing Booth” too demure for you kids? “F*&% the Prom” too subtle? Are they … Continue reading →

Fans of serious cinema do not give a rat’s left bum cheek about “Predator,” in any incarnation. With good reason. The hilariously arch original produced two delusionally macho and feckless governors, and a slew of Godawful sequels. A new reboot? … Continue reading →

“Whiplash” and “La La Land” director Damien Chazelle’s take on the intensely private, brave and astrophysicist-smart First Man on the Moon promises something more than nostalgia for the age when America was Truly Great. When we did Great Things, took … Continue reading →