“For a film revolving around an actor destroyed by a bad reputation, ‘The Death and Life of John F. Donovan’ remains frustratingly vague about the media’s indiscretions that bring John’s downfall.”
“‘The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter’ lacks ‘true grit.’ It’s designed to feel relatable, yet Brolin’s impassioned performance can only do so much to override the stock dialogue and the narrative’s lack of originality.”
Weekend Vibes is a Friday column about streaming recommendations, new release hype and entertainment events.
“‘Day of Anger’ is a tightly-structured film about societal influencers and people on the fringe that need somebody in their corner.”
“What is the cost to oneself of living by a system of belief?”
“In Scorsese’s inversion of the downfall, paradise isn’t the origin and its loss doesn’t mean moral decrepitude, only mediocrity.”
“The cumulative effect of ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’ is one of openness and warmth.”
“With ‘Raging Bull’ and ‘The Aviator,’ Martin Scorsese perfects a configuration of the biopic as self-recognized fiction.”
A Column on Film Criticism by Justine A. Smith
