Factotum is a movie based upon the book of the same name by the poet Charles Bukowski. The movie was released in late 2005, stars Matt Dillon, Marisa Tomei and Lili Taylor, amongst others, and was directed by Bent Hamer (no, I’m not making that up). Though rather depressing in the content it covers (alcoholism), [...]
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Summer 2006
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is novel that tracks a young boy’s attempts to make sense of the bombings of 9/11, a day on which he has lost his father. Though not as strongly written as Safran-Foer’s first novel, Everything is Illuminated, this is still an engaging and searching attempt to create some semblance of [...]
The Illusionist, Seattle International Film Festival, Summer 2006
This movie was screened at SIFF in the summer of 2006. I didn’t greatly care for it and wouldn’t recommend it, and in so stating absolve myself from any responsibility should you insist on being contrarian, rent the movie and detest it. If you’re interested in the Why’s behind my opinions, feel free to read [...]
The Proposition, Seattle International Film Festival, Summer 2006
The Proposition is an Australian western that was rather dark and rather good. It’s got a great cast and some excellent cinematography, and while the plot stumbles occasionally it’s on the whole a rather well done movie. It’s not a feel-good film nor a stereotypical first-date flick (though I’ll gladly welcome any stories from those [...]
Lord of War, Spring 2006
Lord of War is a movie that tracks an international arms dealer and his weapons shipments. The movie stars Nicolas Cage, whom no one I know seems to like, though I think he’s quite talented and especially so in this role. Though it was less successful than Blood Diamond, a movie with which it shares [...]
The Dying Gaul, Seattle International Film Festival, Summer 2005
This is another film that I reviewed at the Seattle International Film Festival in the summer of 2005. Though it’s completely different in most ways, the movie reminded me a good deal of a less expensive version of Mystic River: a very well-acted poorly written movie. If you can stomach massive holes in otherwise banal [...]
Murderball, Seattle International Film Festival, Summer 2005
Murderball is a movie that tracks the men’s paraplegic rugby team on their quest to win gold at the Athens Paralympic Games. If that doesn’t grab your attention, then perhaps it’s time for a pulse-check, which, given this movie’s intensity, you’ll get aplenty. Think Mad Max with wheelchairs and you’ll have a pretty good notion [...]
Me and You and Everyone We Know, Seattle International Film Festival, Summer 2005
I saw this film at the 2005 Seattle International Film Festival. I really enjoyed it at the time, though I have a sneaking suspicion that if I saw it now, several years later, I’d feel quite differently. Ah youthful exuberance… The film was written by and stars Miranda July, who has since continued to pop [...]
Junebug, Seattle International Film Festival, Summer 2005
Junebug was one of those independent movies that excited critics worldwide, with one small (and highly egotistic) exception being me. I found the whole experience laborious and have since recommended it be used in clinical settings as a cure for insomnia. I’ve subsequently had conversations with those who insist that they loved the film, though [...]
Noviembre, Seattle International Film Festival, Summer 2003
Noviembre is a Spanish movie that I saw at the 2003 Seattle International Film Festival. This was my first experience reviewing movies at SIFF, and this was by far the best film I saw at that summer’s festival. The movie follows a troupe of street performers and questions the role that art may or may [...]