At a time when “indie” means million-dollar budgets and A-list stars, Personal Velocity takes the genre back to its modest origins. Small, delicate and deeply incisive, it eschews the flashy self-awareness typical of independent fare these days and draws viewers in the old-fashioned way – with a well-crafted story and exceptional performances. To be precise, … Continue reading →

“Part Nancy Drew mystery, part Indiana Jones swashbuckler, part Merchant-Ivory bodice ripper, this latest film from LaBute seems, at first glance, about as different from his previous films as it possibly could be. But closer inspection reveals that beneath the corsets and carriages and Harlequin romances, Possession centers around sexual politics, just as his other … Continue reading →

“We’re always waiting for Ricci’s trademark sneer to materialize, but it never does. Too bad; it might have given Pumpkin a much-needed edge…” First-time directors often struggle to find the right tone for their films. And directing teams – even experienced ones – most likely have a harder time agreeing on a singular voice for … Continue reading →

“When Sade said ‘It is not the opinions or vices of private individuals that are harmful to the state, but rather the behavior of public figures,’ how could he have known what would be happening in the Oval Office in 1998 – a full 184 years after his death?” The Marquis de Sade once wrote … Continue reading →

“A sympathetic testament to the importance of recognizing inner beauty…” There’s an incredibly tender scene near the end of Shallow Hal, a moment of honest-to-goodness poignancy guaranteed to conjure a sizable lump in your throat.  That it comes completely unexpected only increases its impact, ensuring a glistening in the eyes of even the most jaded … Continue reading →

“Not for the weak-hearted, Snatch is loaded with cold-blooded murder and all-purpose violence…” Director Quentin Tarantino hasn’t released a movie since 1997’s Jackie Brown; with Snatch, England’s Guy Ritchie picks up right where Tarantino left off.  If you saw Ritchie’s debut feature, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, you should already know what to expect.  … Continue reading →

“Slow and deliberate, it’s a complex study of the nature of love, of morality and mortality, and of humankind’s innate need to seek explanations for life’s myriad enigmas…” Solaris generated some pre-opening controversy when it received an R rating for including too many lingering shots of star George Clooney’s naked backside. The rating was reduced … Continue reading →

“Based on a novel by Patrick McGrath, it’s an unsettling and studied (read: extremely slow) examination of mental illness that challenges viewers by presenting its story through the eyes of a seriously disturbed schizophrenic. Watching it, you may wonder if someone slipped a psychotropic drug or three in with your gummy bears…” Director David Cronenberg’s … Continue reading →

“The Anniversary Party is terrific – a testament to the true talent of its pair of triple-threats…” At first glance, several elements of The Anniversary Party raise serious warning flags.  It was shot on digital video.  It stars Jennifer Jason Leigh (an exceptional actress whose talents are often hidden by heavy-handed method acting or buried … Continue reading →