Categories
Review Legacy

The Great Buck Howard (2008)

There is something poignant about the central image of The Great Buck Howard: a washed up celebrity who finds the hidden money every night, as if by magic.

Categories
Legacy Review Revision Candidate

Captain Phillips (2013)

Captain Phillips’ biggest strength — beyond even its technical competence and almost unceasing tension — is the tightrope it walks with the Somali pirates.

Categories
Review

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011)

If a man smashes your kneecaps with a crowbar, can you really say he made you “feel something”?

Categories
Review Legacy Revision Candidate

Angels & Demons (2009)

The sequel to The Da Vinci Code is, confusingly, based off of the first book in the series, with a byproduct not common of genres sequels:

Categories
Review Legacy

The Ladykillers (2004)

Perhaps take my opinion with a grain of salt, as I have seen less than half of the Coens’ filmography and never seen the acclaimed 1955 original, but I found more to like than dislike in The Ladykillers.

Categories
Revision Candidate Review Legacy

The Polar Express (2004)

It’s one thing to be ugly. Plenty of decent movies aren’t all that great to look at.

Categories
Review

The Terminal (2004)

After reading several contemporary reviews of The Terminal I’m surprised that critics at the time did not note the single most distinct trait of the film:

Categories
Review

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Sleepless in Seattle somehow still works despite a fundamental flaw in its script: The characters spend almost no time together!

Categories
Review Legacy Revision Candidate

Philadelphia (1993)

Philadelphia is pretty much the best-case scenario for an Oscar-bait film: A movie, beneath its preachiness, that is beautiful, lovingly-made, and deeply-felt.

Categories
Legacy Revision Candidate Review

A League of Their Own (1992)

A League of Their Own is pretty close to the best possible version of itself: It is well-cast and well-directed. The lines are impeccably delivered. The tone is a just-right blend of cynical, smart, and sweet. It’s a big meal of comfort food even if it never quite ascends into greatness.