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- “Only the bad directors tell you how to read a line, how to define your character. The good ones let you do your job.” — Carroll Baker
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- An Acting Lesson: John Wayne and the “Reality of the Doing”
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Tag Archives: drama
Review: Chained for Life (2019) See it.
I did my best to describe how Aaron Schimberg’s Chained for Life works in my review of the film on Rogerebert.com. But at a certain point, the real message is: you just have to see it for yourself.
Review: Ms. Purple (2019)
I really dug Ms. Purple. I reviewed it for Rogerebert.com.
August 2019 Viewing Diary
While We’re Young (2014; d. Noah Baumbach) Part of my own Noah Baumbach retrospective in preparation for writing a piece for Film Comment about his filmography. On stands now. Or order here! I love this one. It’s so honest and … Continue reading
Review: Don’t Let Go (2019)
I reviewed Don’t Let Go, a new thriller-family-drama-with-time-travel-supernatural-elements, for Rogerebert.com.
Present Tense: On Dennis Hopper’s Out of the Blue (1980)
My new column for Film Comment is about Dennis Hopper’s wild and nihilistic Out of the Blue, starring Linda Manz, in a definite high watermark for performances by teenagers. She’s an icon, and WAS an icon to me when I … Continue reading
Posted in Movies
Tagged Dennis Hopper, drama, Elvis Presley, Linda Manz, Out of the Blue, Present Tense, reviews
7 Comments
Review: Light of My Life (2019)
Light of My Life, a dystopian father-daughter survival drama, is Casey Affleck’s narrative feature directorial debut. He also wrote and starred. I found it quite effective. My review of Light of My Life is now up at Rogerebert.com.
Review: The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
Your mileage may vary but this film – costarring Shia LaBeouf and newcomer Zac Gottsagen (who has Down Syndrome) worked like gangbusters. I loved it. My review of The Peanut Butter Falcon is up on Rogerebert.com.
Review: The Nightingale (2019)
The Nightingale – Jennifer Kent’s follow-up to her insanely great debut The Babadook – has been getting great reviews. I, however, was … not so into it.
July 2019 Viewing Diary
Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love (2019; d. Nick Broomfield) I reviewed this documentary – about the relationship between Marianne Ihlen and Leonard Cohen – for Rogerebert.com. Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man (2005; d. Lian Lunson) I watched this beautiful … Continue reading
Posted in Monthly Viewing Diary, Movies, Television
Tagged backting, Bette Davis, Christian Petzold, comedy, documentary, drama, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Germany, heist movies, Jack Black, James Gandolfini, Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Kristen Wiig, Nicole Kidman, Quentin Tarantino, romantic drama, Russia, Supernatural, Tom Noonan, What Happened Was, Will Ferrell, William Wyler, women directors
44 Comments
Review: The Mountain (2019)
Rick Alverson is not an ingratiating film-maker and seems to not care whether or not you follow him. He’s going to do what he’s going to do. I respect that attitude, even if sometimes I find his work exasperating. His … Continue reading

