“Whereas Lonergan interrogates the realities of grief with sober restraint, ‘Personal Shopper’ director Olivier Assayas plunges viewers right into his protagonist’s bereaved headspace.”
Mike Postalakis on the 1978 Fiasco ‘The Star Wars Holiday Special’
A Column on Film Criticism by Justine A. Smith
“Tropes and archetypes are global, fitting into different national contexts while carrying with them the memory of their international itineraries.”
“No longer tasked with putting the missing pieces of action, intrigue and effects together in our heads, the artifice of Bond is gone forever — and with it, any room for playful interpretation.”
“‘Under the Shadow’ is an admirable film, albeit not wholly original.”
A Column on Film Criticism by Justine A. Smith
“Jean-Pierre Melville’s ‘Le Samourai’ is the definition of cinematic precision. Each shot, each cut, each movement is a slice of redolent, provocative and sometimes even banal accuracy.”
“In regards to modern day politics, ‘Cat People’ captures the anti-immigration fervor of the 2016 American presidential campaign and election.”
“Love can be what survives if we show up to do the work.”
“Elliptical and predominantly visual, ‘Evolution’ will frustrate any viewer unwilling to let go of common sense.”
“This is L-I-V-I-N in the moment at its best.”
“It only took three decades for ‘RoboCop’ to go from a sci-fi thought experiment to prescient documentary. What do the next few hold?”
“Focusing on a group from Osaka rather than Tokyo unveils a more nuanced reality of the industry, offering a look from the outside.”
“As we take for granted the ease of our own native tongue, we are perhaps ignoring its full potential.”
“‘Manchester by the Sea’ will make your dad cry by showing him how he deals with emotions and the instructional framework through which he learned how to deal with emotions.”
“Portman’s vivid portrayal is the film’s greatest strength, coasting through woebegone New England accents and the script’s on-the-nose airing of themes in the final act.”
“In some ways, Oskouei’s involvement can be construed as invasive, but it feels integral.”
“What makes someone a great artist before they’ve made any great works of art? That becomes the central question and object of scrutiny at the heart of ‘Le concours,’ making it one of the most compelling examinations of auteur driven cinema.”
“‘Brothers of the Night’ takes an unexpected approach and reveals hidden parts of life amongst Bulgarian male hustlers in Vienna.”