Top Ten Films: 2015

“Inspired by the true stories of daring women.”

Border Line: International Relations Get Tense In ‘Bridge Of Spies’ & ‘Sicario’

We’ve heard many times that the so-called “War on Drugs” really is an actual war. Traffic, a Best Picture nominee from way back in 2000, remains the cinematic authority on the topic, and probably had more influence on the aesthetic of modern movies than almost any other film. Nowadays, plenty of dramas and thriller look […]

Incoherent ‘Vice’: A Defective Detective And A Slippery Mystery

Paul Thomas Anderson is considered one of the greatest filmmakers of our time. By some, one of the greatest filmmakers of any time. Boogie Nights and There Will Be Blood are held up, almost unanimously, as some of the finest films of the last quarter-century; some would add Magnolia and The Master to that list. […]

‘Galaxy’ Jest: Marvel Trades Amazement For Amusement

A few years back, Joss Whedon surprised us by releasing a superhero movie that satisfied all the mega-blockbuster mega-requirements and still found room for a little of the Buffy creator’s trademark meta-wit. Since then, Marvel movies have all included a Whedon-esque gem or two. They certainly don’t take themselves as seriously as Christopher Nolan’s broodier […]

‘Ted’ Talks: A Profane Plush Toy Makes Summer Safe For Adults

(Films discussed in this post: John Carter, Snow White And The Huntsman, Ted, and Savages.) So, here’s the news coming out of summer 2012 — superheroes are a big deal. The Avengers, The Amazing Spider-Man, and The Dark Knight Rises are all hits, with a slew of animated kids’ films (like Pixar’s Brave) also sizzling […]