“At the heart of ‘Prince of Darkness,’ the failures of religion and science reflect the limits of the human mind to grasp the immensity of the universe and our menial position within it.”
“The plot of ‘Souvenir’ can certainly raise eyebrows, but it is this very absurd quality that adds to the film’s tongue-in-cheek charm.”
“To say that ‘Personal Shopper’ unveils Stewart giving the best performance so far in her career is scarcely a hyperbolic claim.”
A Column on Film Criticism by Justine A. Smith
“It’s a savvy marketing strategy for extremely capitalist comedy, but the Shlesinger routine never amounts to anything more pleasant than being stuck sharing a cab with someone that seemed much more interesting several hours and drinks ago.”
New York Film Festival 2016
“In John Carpenter’s ‘In the Mouth of Madness,’ the delicate reality in which we live exists only as far we as believe it.”
“Neruda’s shining star is Luis Gnecco, who brings the poet back to life.”
A Column on Film Criticism by Justine A. Smith
“‘Train to Busan’ becomes obsessed with how its characters will face the various obstacles thrown at them, but the film does not operate with a human desire for justice.
A Weekly Column on Love and Erotica in Cinema by Justine A. Smith
“At Fantastic Fest, that hard truth can be funny or frightening depending on which auditorium you enter.”
A Column on Film Criticism by Justine A. Smith
Marshall Shaffer Interviews Ana Lily Amirpour
“‘Destiny’ arrives at its final satisfying destination as a poetic and deeply affecting film, an ethereal meditation from a now legendary filmmaker…”
“For all Cedric’s struggling against modernity, I can’t help but think Harambe would’ve improved this bit.”
Marshall Shaffer on Fantastic Fest 2016
“Much of Luchino Visconti’s ‘The Leopard’ has a labored energy of theoretical dramaturgy.”
A Weekly Column on Love and Erotica in Cinema by Justine A. Smith
“The central relationship between Belle and the Beast has the unfortunate stench of Stockholm syndrome all over it.”