archive
Revisiting, Reappraising Cimino's 'Heaven's Gate'
December 5, 2012 When it was released 32 years ago, Michael Cimino's revisionist Western was considered one of the most colossal flops in Hollywood history. Critic John Powers takes a second look at the film and concludes that it's clearly "the work of one man and ... he wanted you to remember it forever."
An Aging 'Quartet,' Still Polishing Their Legends
December 4, 2012 Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut centers on a retirement community for aging opera musicians and the relationships that have carried into their golden years. Critic Ella Taylor says a prestige cast of British actors and actual retired opera stars calls forth the sense of nostalgia the movie aims for.
Business
Netflix Gets Disney Movies Ahead Of Pay TV Channels
December 4, 2012 Netflix's video subscription service has trumped pay-TV channels and grabbed the rights to show Disney movies shortly after they finish their runs in theaters. The agreement represents a breakthrough for Netflix as it tries to add more recent movies to its Internet streaming service.
Monkey See
Home Video Review: 'Lawrence Of Arabia' On Blu-Ray
December 4, 2012 David Lean's epic classic made actors like Peter O'Toole cinematic legends. NPR movie critic Bob Mondello looks at the Blu-ray release and the special features for the film's 50th anniversary.
Monkey See
Sundance 2013: Who Cares About Ashton Kutcher? Bring On Jesse And Celine!
December 4, 2012 Sundance announced its premieres yesterday, and while many are very excited about the facial hair on Ashton Kutcher, others anxiously await the return of a movie couple almost 20 years into their relationship.
Monkey See
The High And The Low In Holiday Movies
December 2, 2012 A discussion of highbrow holiday movies collides with admissions of gorging on cornball Christmas fare where Santa brings people love and magic happens.
Taking To The Waves As The World Catches Fire
November 29, 2012 The South African film Otelo Burning tells the story of black teenagers who escape the world of apartheid by learning to surf. Critic Joel Arnold says the film presents its characters with a choice between hoping for the impossible and accepting the unfortunate.
A Rocker's 'Solo' Slide, Intimately Chronicled
November 29, 2012 Robert Carlyle (Heroes, Once Upon a Time) plays a past-his-prime guitarist whose dissolution deepens when a DUI arrest raises the possibility of deportation. Critic Ella Taylor says it's a modest but satisfying story of self-destruction and redemption.
A Sturdy 'Collection' Of Horror's Goriest Tropes
November 29, 2012 The Collection, a sequel to 2009's The Collector, dives back into the world of a serial killer and his growing body count. Critic Ian Buckwalter says it's self-aware of the genre's indulgences — and unlike in most horror franchises, the open ending is its strongest feature.
From A Rom-Com Director, A Subtle Kung Fu Flick
November 29, 2012 Director Peter Ho-Sun Chan is better known for romantic comedies than for action movies. Critic Mark Jenkins says his film Dragon reflects multiple influences — from classic kung fu to Guy Richie's Sherlock Holmes — that come together to create an eye-catching mood piece.
Brad Pitt, 'Killing Them Softly' (And With Style)
November 29, 2012 As a wiseguy charged with enforcing the rules after a couple of two-bit hoods knock over a mob-run card game, the actor wears his character's back story on the inside — which is where it belongs.





