Review: Junebug, 2005, dir. Phil Morrison

Near the end of Junebug, audience surrogate Madeleine sits with Eugene, her father-in-law, and talks quietly and cautiously. She has only just met her husband’s (Alessandro Nivola) family, based in North Carolina, knowing very little about them and about him. Speaking about her mother-in-law, Peg, she muses, “She’s a very strong personality.” Eugene responds with … Continue reading →

On the Horizon

In the wake of the rousing success of Andy at Fandango Groovers Desert Island DVDs group activity, Mike at You Talking to Me? has decided to kick-start a new round of community exercise. And I’m incredibly excited to tell you all what it’s about– except that I can’t! That’s right, we’ve been embargoed this time … Continue reading →

Review: The Brothers Bloom, 2009, dir. Rian Johnson

Rian Johnson‘s follow-up to 2005’s paean to noir, Brick, wants you to put your trust in its narrative. And in point of fact, The Brothers Bloom goes to great lengths to ensure it gains your confidence. Maybe in some cases, Johnson’s sophomore film tries too hard but the effort is undeniably genuine and as enthusiastic … Continue reading →

Fandango Groovers: Desert Island DVDs

I wake up disoriented and dazed; I open my eyes, and I can hardly see through an aggressive sheen of bright light. As my vision adjusts, I find myself on a white, sandy shore as I stare across water so blue as to be otherworldly. Wind flutters through my hair. The sun beats down on … Continue reading →

Review: Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, 2009, dir. Michael Bay

Incoherent visuals, shoddy editing, robot genitals, and John Turturro’s naked ass. If those reasons aren’t enough to hate a film, then just call me unreasonable. 2007’s Transformers had a lot to recommend it; as a summer release based on a toy line, it wound up being far more fun than it had any right to, … Continue reading →

Review: Antichrist, 2009, dir. Lars von Trier

Antichrist represents the sort of film that can’t simply be written off using monosyllabic soundbites to indicate its quality; “good” and “bad” don’t really come into the discussion. Rather, Antichrist is challenging; controversial director Lars von Trier has made a film that forces us to confront our grieving processes and ask ourselves deeply personal and … Continue reading →

Book Review: Making Movies, 1996, Sidney Lumet (Vintage Books)

A book review? In a movie blog? Movies represent one of my biggest passions and favorite pastimes, but you may be surprised to learn that, as an English major, I read a lot, too. And oftentimes those two endeavors collide. Case in point, I try to make time to read about film, from filmmaking 101 … Continue reading →