For years now, I have been moving in a different direction on my blog, having resolved to draw down on the amount of film criticism I am pumping out in favor of essays and original prose. I thought that my literal legions of fans would prefer to experience my own unfiltered genius rather than mere…Read more Two Wildly Different WWII Films
Film Reviews
Film Review: The Courier (2019)
When one thinks of a bad car crash, they typically imagine it as being a loud, ugly and often bloody affair. Additionally, they think that such an incident would never involve them, that it is something that always happens to “other people.” On both these levels, The Courier – which is being released on BluRay,…Read more Film Review: The Courier (2019)
Film Review: The Irishman (2019)
"Would you like to be a part of this history?" When Jimmy Hoffa poses this question in Martin Scorsese's 24th feature film - the gangland saga The Irishman - the movie is already approximately a third of the way through its epic, three-and-a-half hour runtime. Yet despite its length, tonal restraint and veritable cadre of…Read more Film Review: The Irishman (2019)
Film Review: Hail Satan? (2019)
I recently had the opportunity to review an interesting doc entitled Hail Satan?. While the movie certainly grapples with important and timely themes, it is unfortunately a cursory look at the sick, hypocritical way that the Christian right has become embedded in American political life. Enjoy it all on FilmMonthly! Full Review
A Collection of Recent Reviews
Anyone who knows me well knows that I have largely retired from the film reviewing game. While it once served as my central writing focus, and, in fact, probably turned me into the writer I am today, I no longer find it to be my primary interest. Instead, I now plunk away mostly in the…Read more A Collection of Recent Reviews
Film Review: I, Daniel Blake (2016)
About six or seven years ago, I developed a minor obsession with the work of Ken Loach, the iconoclastic English director of acclaimed films like Kes, Looks and Smiles, Raining Stones, My Name is Joe, Sweet Sixteen and The Wind that Shakes the Barley. Back then, I watched a number of these in quick succession.…Read more Film Review: I, Daniel Blake (2016)
Film Review: Black Death (2010)
From 1347 to 1351, the black death, also known as the bubonic plague and the great mortality, swept across Europe. In four years, it killed between 75-200 million people and altered nearly every aspect of medieval life in the process - from literature and art to economics and religion. The plague is at the heart…Read more Film Review: Black Death (2010)
Film Review: Home Again (2017)
It’s impossible to know fully why actors choose the roles they do. Whether it be the script, the subject matter or the chance to work with an admired collaborator, there are likely many reasons for an actor to sign onto a specific project. In the case of this year’s listless romantic comedy Home Again, one must…Read more Film Review: Home Again (2017)
Film Review: End of Days (1999)
Arnold Schwarzenegger has had two incredibly successful periods in his film career. The first of these is the most obvious. From roughly 1982 to 1994, Arnie established himself as one of the biggest movie-stars in the world, starring in a slew of actioners that brilliantly capitalized on his larger than life personality, charisma and biceps.…Read more Film Review: End of Days (1999)
Film Review: Jackie (2016)
Pablo Larrain’s Jackie is many things. It is heartbreaking yet triumphant, claustrophobic yet expansive, classical yet innovative; but most of all, it is a great film. From an acting, directing and editorial standpoint, Jackie is a terrific achievement, impeccably executed yet almost never ostentatious or distracting. These traits are complimented by the film’s unique and…Read more Film Review: Jackie (2016)
Adam Mohrbacher 