Studio Ghibli Forever: An Initiation – ‘Laputa: Castle in the Sky’
“It is a film for little humans (and big humans) that places hopefulness, imagination and kindness above all else.”
Why Criticism: When Podcasts Reign and 5 Essentials
A Column on Film Criticism by Justine A. Smith
The Chicago Critics Film Festival Review: Patricia Rozema’s ‘Into the Forest’
“For a feminist attempt to show two women leaning on each other, ‘Into the Forest’ barely sketches them out.”
Seizing Power: Game of Thrones ‘The Door’ (Recap)
“Jon Snow may be the one who comes back to life, but it’s the women of Westeros who are increasingly shaping the direction of Season Six.”
‘The Nice Guys’ Doesn’t Finish Last But Occasionally Stumbles
“Considering so many buddy cop movies of late treat their stories as afterthoughts, kudos to Black for actually delving into a compelling mystery with The Nice Guys… “
Cult Vault, Part Two: Deconstructing the Horror Machine in ‘Scream’ and ‘The Cabin in the Woods’
“Where ‘Scream’ comments on how to play the game, ‘Cabin’ comments on who actually gets to play.”
Of Love and Other Demons: ‘Husbands’ (John Cassavetes, 1970)
A Weekly Column on Love and Erotica in Cinema by Justine A. Smith
Studio Ghibli Forever: An Initiation and ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’
“An adventure that lives in a place outside of time, ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’ offers a haggard reflection of humanity’s dark side before proclaiming hopefulness and love the ultimate victor.”
Why Criticism: Writing Prompts and Fiction
A Column on Film Criticism by Justine A. Smith
Review: Susanna White’s ‘Our Kind of Traitor’
“A solidly constructed sophomore feature from director Susanna White, ‘Our Kind of Traitor’ is a tight thriller that, while rarely excelling to any sort of transcendent heights, never really steps a foot wrong.”
Two Drink Minimum: ‘Ali Wong: Baby Cobra’ (Netflix)
“Never preachy, Wong finds lots to love in her overwhelming honesty.”
Capitolo 20: Mani in Alto / Marco Bellocchio’s ‘Fists in the Pocket’
A Series on Italian Cinema by Q.V. Hough
The Unburnt: Game of Thrones ‘Book of the Stranger’ (Recap)
“And just like that, things are looking up for Season Six.”
We Failed This Film: Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Snowpiercer’ (2013)
A Series by Dylan Moses Griffin
Of Love and Other Demons: ‘Opening Night’ (John Cassavetes, 1977)
A Weekly Column on Love and Erotica in Cinema by Justine A. Smith
Review: Jean-Marc Vallée’s ‘Demolition’
“Neatly tied resolutions and dime-a-dozen aphorisms feel as fleeting and immaterial as a television drama, while any lasting impression must be hard-fought and pried from between the lines of the script.”
Is Michael Mann’s Horror ‘The Keep’ a Hidden Gem? Well…
“Really, the main worth of The Keep is as a curiosity; to see a significantly different career path that Mann could have taken had this film had any sort of positive impact on pop culture.”
Review: Jason Bateman’s ‘The Family Fang’
“Bateman brings the full force of his directorial ability to the film, finding beauty in every camera placement and character movement.”
Why Criticism: The Deception of Plain Style
A Column on Film Criticism by Justine A. Smith
Post-Resurrection: Game of Thrones ‘Oathbreaker’ (Recap)
“Will the execution weigh on Jon as he experiences life beyond the Night’s Watch?”