Film Reviews

Me and Orson Welles

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans

During a panel discussion at this year’s Telluride Film Festival, Nicolas Cage was asked to respond to a description of his performance in this film as over-the-top. He replied, with a smile, that it seemed that casting him in this particular role under Werner Herzog’s direction meant “over-the-top”...

Precious

When a film aims for greatness and falls just short of its target, one can dwell on its attributes or nit-pick its failings. In the case of Precious, I’m inclined to take the high road, because of the movie’s raw emotionalism and exceptional performances.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Simplicity is not a quality most Hollywood moviemakers aspire to achieve, but for me it’s part of the charm of Fantastic Mr. Fox, an amusing, low-key fable that strikes a tone unlike any other animated film this year. There’s nothing simple about the technique of...

The Hangover

Whip It

Drew Barrymore has done herself proud. Her first directorial effort, Whip It, is a highly entertaining film that draws on several time-worn ingredients (coming of age, a fish out of water) and blends them with...

AN EDUCATION

It isn’t easy being a sleeper nowadays. There’s been so much buildup for An Education, which has traveled the film festival circuit since Sundance in January, that it’s difficult for ordinary moviegoers to feel as if they’re discovering it for themselves. I hope inflated e...

Where the Wild Things Are

Skin