The Oscar nominated French animated film, Ernest and Celestine, gets major points for sweetness. This delicate, uniquely drawn work is endearing, yet its effect quickly dissipates. Functioning as a rather tired paean for tolerance, the story feels thinly sketched and unsubstantial, with critical components of the film’s world possessing an arbitrary quality. Additionally, the English…Read more Film Review: Ernest and Celestine (2013)
Film Review: Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Groundhog Day, Groundhog Day, Groundhog Day. These are the only words critics are using to describe the recent Tom Cruise actioner, Edge of Tomorrow, as if that 80's classic invented the concept of a time loop. Instead of cribbing from the Harold Ramis' comedy, Edge of Tomorrow (AKA All You Need is Kill) feels thematically…Read more Film Review: Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
On Gwen Stacy and The Amazing Spiderman 2’s Dubious Feminism
Scott Mendelson, a contributor at Forbes and owner of one of the creepiest profile photos of all time, wrote a piece recently on The Amazing Spiderman 2 and the problems inherent to its most iconic scene. As anybody with even a passing interest in Spiderman comics knows, Gwen Stacy is one of the Web Head's…Read more On Gwen Stacy and The Amazing Spiderman 2’s Dubious Feminism
Film Review: Regarding Henry (1991)
After a decade establishing himself as one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, Harrison Ford made some serious changes in the early 1990s. He put away his bullwhip and hung up his blaster, and Indiana Jones and Han Solo went into retirement (well, until recently). For Ford, he was no longer content to play "scruffy…Read more Film Review: Regarding Henry (1991)
Review: BFA Thesis Exhibition – Practice/Practice
I preface this review with one central caveat: This will not be an entirely objective critique of Practice/Practice - the University of Minnesota's BFA Thesis Exhibition. As the older brother of one of the exhibition's featured artists (Emily Mohrbacher), there is, of course, a potent bias that I possess towards her respective piece, "Be kinder…Read more Review: BFA Thesis Exhibition – Practice/Practice
Film Review: The White Ribbon (2009)
When one thinks of scathing cultural critiques, Michael Haneke's brutal examinations of violence, social dysfunction and the cinematic art form have to rank pretty highly. The director's 2009 Palme d'Or champion, The White Ribbon, is no different in this regard. The film offers a stark, bone-chilling journey into an otherworldly farming community struggling to survive…Read more Film Review: The White Ribbon (2009)
Film Review: The Unknown Known (2014)
Errol Morris's twelfth feature, The Unknown Known, focuses on the former political heavy weight Donald Rumsfeld, while also showcasing a master documentarian at work. Cutting back and forth through time, the film begins by probing the semi-recent tumult of 9/11 before arching backwards to Rumsfeld's early days in the political arena. Morris and Rumsfeld then…Read more Film Review: The Unknown Known (2014)
Film Review: The Running Man (1987)
Watching Arnie when he was in his 80's heyday is a powerful, elemental experience, as it equates to watching the birth of a legend. Of course, tough guys and big bruisers have always occupied the screen, but almost never has cinematic bloodletting been paired with so much affable joy. This quality, which has served the big…Read more Film Review: The Running Man (1987)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier or How the Marvel Cinematic Universe Stopped Working
This is not an essay designed to bash The Winter Solider. Taken on its own merits the most recent Captain America movie is a pretty good thrill ride, ranking easily as one of the best of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yet, its status as part of a much larger whole is where one finds fault…Read more Captain America: The Winter Soldier or How the Marvel Cinematic Universe Stopped Working
Stanchions
When I was 18 years old I moved to Chicago for college. Naive and impetuous I gave the decision little consideration. There was no deep ruminating, no incessant deliberating - simply put: no "pros and cons" lists were drawn up. In a way this was good. My lack of foresight gave me the requisite gumption…Read more Stanchions
Adam Mohrbacher 