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 Reviews
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)
Film Review: Melancholia (2011)
In Lars Von Trier's Melancholia, two women confront a dreamlike apocalypse - manifested in the form of an oncoming planet and in the murky nature of the human mind. For director Trier, who has often been accused of nihilistic wallowing, Melancholia represents a clear rebuttal. Oh course, there is plenty to be depressed about in…Read more Film Review: Melancholia (2011)
Film Review: Nymphomaniac Vol. 1 (2014)
If the Marquis De Sade was reincarnated as a portly, haggard Danish filmmaker, he would take the form of Lars Von Trier. With his sexually charged, thematically polarizing films, the cinematic provocateur rivals the notorious French libertine in terms of brutal pessimism. That being said, one must admire his gusto. In Nymphomaniac Vol. 1, Trier…Read more Film Review: Nymphomaniac Vol. 1 (2014)
Film Review: The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Rarely has a director's aesthetic and thematic palette been as recognizable as Wes Anderson's. From the moment one see's the words "American Empirical Pictures" in the opening credits, or takes in the film's first breathtaking, immaculately composed shot, one already has some inkling of what the movie has in store. Unfortunately, in the 18 years…Read more Film Review: The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Film Review: Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
After the rousing, Oscar-winning success of Gladiator, it was no surprise that Ridley Scott returned to the historical epic with 2005's Kingdom of Heaven. However, this time around his efforts were met with gentle indifference. There were no Oscar parties, nor were there any massive box office hauls. In fact, the film barely broke even.…Read more Film Review: Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Film Review: Husbands and Wives (1992)
Husbands and Wives is a wonderfully written, powerfully acted piece of cinema, which features two of the best supporting performances seen in a Woody film. While deeply (and painfully) insightful about relationships and human behavior, Husbands and Wives largely avoids the moody, onerous angst of several other Allen titles from this period (such as the laborious Another…Read more Film Review: Husbands and Wives (1992)
Film Review: The Boys From Brazil (1978)
Whether serving as the punching bag of Indiana Jones or as the thorn in Rick Blaine's side, Nazis have proven themselves time and time again to be perfect fodder for cinematic villainy. This potential is exploited to the fullest in director Franklin J. Schaffner's bizarre thriller, The Boys From Brazil, which stars two heavyweights: Gregory…Read more Film Review: The Boys From Brazil (1978)
Film Review: Greenberg (2010)
Sometimes a movie just makes you want to bellow, "Shut the FUCK up!" It doesn't happen that often, at least not at my house. Still, I must admit that when watching Noah Baumbach's 2012 effort, the Ben Stiller vehicle Greenberg, it nearly escaped my lips on more than one occasion. I don't think anybody could…Read more Film Review: Greenberg (2010)
Film Review: Beauty and the Beast (1991)
As Mrs. Potts once sang, it's a "Tale as old as time," but "True as it can be." These simple phrases form the refrain of one of Beauty and the Beast's iconic songs and serve as a great summation of the film. Disney's 1991 opus channels one of the most well-known and arguably tired themes…Read more Film Review: Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Adam Mohrbacher 