The Awful Truth: "Portlandia" and How to Succeed in "Journalism"
January 31, 2013
"Don't waste my time" — that's the prevailing attitude for most readers on the Internet. But here's the thing: If you don't take time to read, re-read, discuss, and reflect on what you're reading, then you are wasting your time. I know because I'm guilty of this. I can spend hours perusing the Internet, and the next day I won't think about any of it. At all. That was time wasted.
1 Comment8 Minutes
"The Master": Too Much Art for Oscar?
January 28, 2013
This article by Tyler Sage on Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master," published at The Los Angeles Review of Books, is so refreshing after reading a storm of hasty reactions, wild accusations, and complaints about this "difficult" work of art. It's a thoughtful, patient, studious consideration of this film.
0 Comments4 Minutes
In Honor of Sister Rose Pacatte
January 26, 2013
I'm delighted to see people taking notice of Sister Rose Pacatte, who goes about her work with a spirit of curiosity, fearlessness, discernment, and humility. She doesn't write with a sanctimonious, presumptuous, or condescending tone. She writes and speaks, rather, as a friend on the journey, sharing insights and impressions without any heavy-handed piety, without ranting.
2 Comments3 Minutes
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
On Movies & Media,Blog,Film Reviews
January 26, 2013
Guillermo Del Toro and Peter Jackson ended up parting ways on their collaboration on "The Hobbit." Del Toro described it as his career's most heartbreaking experience. And the world will probably never see much of what he had in mind. So, as Del Toro is returning to the big screen soon with "Pacific Rim," perhaps it's time to revisit one of Del Toro's great fantasy films — "Pan's Labyrinth" — to appreciate his strengths.
1 Comment17 Minutes
Will These Books "Grab You By the Throat"?
Overstreet's Books,Blog,The Auralia Thread
January 25, 2013
0 Comments3 Minutes
Neil Gaiman's "The Graveyard Book," Directed by Wrong Howard?
January 22, 2013
An open letter to Neil Gaiman: Why? Why has "The Graveyard Book" been taken away from Henry Selick, the master animator who gave us "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Coraline"? And why does it appear to be in the hands of Wrong Howard?
2 Comments8 Minutes
A Pledge of Allegiance: In Search of Beauty at Good Letters
January 18, 2013
Here is an index of all of the Good Letters posts I turned in. Some of the time I offered reluctantly at the deadline, as I still wasn't quite satisfied after half a dozen drafts. Others I wrote in one swift draft and was completely satisfied. But overall, when I look back at two decades of film reviews, this is the body of work that best fulfills the goals I've set for myself as a reviewer.
0 Comments4 Minutes
A Late Addition to My 2012 Top 10: "The Queen of Versailles"
January 15, 2013
Every year, I end up adding a couple of late titles to my top ten list, and "The Queen of Versailles" definitely belongs on the shelf with my favorites of 2012. It's easily my favorite 2012 documentary so far: A fascinating and scary portrait of the lives of the 1%... or maybe the .05%... that will make you feel right at home among the 99.95%, even as it shows you some unsettling things about yourself.
1 Comment2 Minutes
Another Year, Another Bunch of Meaningless Awards
January 13, 2013
A lot of people are talking about last night's Golden Globes awards. And why not? How often do we get to drown out any substantial conversation about movies with a tsunami of meaningless celebrity buzz? Why not pretend that we're doing the world some good by pretending that art is a contest!
3 Comments1 Minutes
Look! – Sicinski reviews Barbara; and Zero Dark Thirty; Greydanus on It’s a Wonderful Life; American Horror Story; Universal Soldier; Twin Peaks Teaser
On Movies & Media,Blog,Looking Elsewhere
January 12, 2013
Who's "Barbara"? What's wrong with "Zero Dark Thirty"? Why are critics ganging up on "It's a Wonderful Life"? What is the connection between "American Horror Story" and The Glen Workshop?
0 Comments5 Minutes
A (Temporary) Farewell to Film Review Work
January 10, 2013
Writing, I find, is a joy and an adventure. But it's not much of a job. In fact, you need another job in able to afford to do it.
19 Comments8 Minutes
Over the Moon: A Critic in Top Form
January 5, 2013
Sure, there are some critics out there who strive to seem superior to others. But most critics are just fans of movies... such big fans that they like to examine and talk about everything that's in a movie. Today, I came across a reminder of what a great critic can accomplish.
0 Comments4 Minutes
Overstreet’s Favorite Recordings: 2012
On Movies & Media,On Songs & Albums,Blog
December 31, 2012
I'd invite you all to a New Year's Eve Listening Party, but there are just too many of you. So allow me to deliver this party to your doorstep. Here is some music from my favorite recordings of 2012.
4 Comments19 Minutes
Django Unchained (2012)
On Movies & Media,Blog,Film Reviews
December 25, 2012
"Django Unchained" stands in stark contrast to traditions of American storytelling that have covered up the suffering slaves endured. When a culture tells stories that excuse its own evils long enough, the pendulum is sure to swing the other direction to reveal, even exaggerate, what has been left out.
10 Comments18 Minutes
The Best Films of 2012? Here's the Indiewire 2012 Critics Poll
December 22, 2012
So… was The Master a good movie, or not? What about Lincoln or The Avengers? What about This is 40 or Zero Dark Thirty? 204 film critics voted in this year’s Indiewire critics’ poll. Their choices do not resemble the Box Office Top 10 or the movies likely to be honored by the Golden Globes. Why is that? Who's right?
1 Comment10 Minutes
Les Misérables (2012)
On Movies & Media,Blog,Film Reviews
December 22, 2012
I suspect that this testimony will earn me a lashing from fans. The power of Les Misérables' narrative, the force of its music and lyrics, and the enthusiasm of its fan base are considerable, and anyone who criticizes the film is probably going to look like a monster.
23 Comments22 Minutes
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
On Movies & Media,Blog,Film Reviews
December 21, 2012
"The Muppet Christmas Carol" was about as faithful an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic story as the Muppets could make in the midst of their typical mischief. Nevertheless, fans could feel that something was missing. The regular cast of characters seemed to have lost their personalities...
0 Comments1 Minute
Margaret – The Extended Cut (2012)
On Movies & Media,Blog,Film Reviews
December 18, 2012
I'm grateful to the good folks at The Brehm Center for inviting me to contribute to their film site Reel Spirituality. And my first contribution there is about a movie I've been eager to see for several years. I can't believe I'm finally reviewing it.
0 Comments1 Minutes
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
On Movies & Media,Blog,Film Reviews
December 13, 2012
The filmmakers took one children's book and expanded it into three movies. So I'll take this one movie and expand it into two movie reviews...
0 Comments1 Minutes
Holy Motors (2012)
On Movies & Media,Blog,Film Reviews
November 23, 2012
Whether you call it inspiring, baffling, offensive, or exhausting — I suspect you'll describe it as "all of the above" — I think you'll agree with me that this film is truly unforgettable. Despite the millions of dollars fueling 2012’s special-effects extravaganzas, I doubt I’ll experience anything as exhilarating as this.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Looking Elsewhere: November 21, 2012
On Movies & Media,Blog,Looking Elsewhere
November 21, 2012
Look! These links caught my attention today, for one reason or another. Check back later. I may add more look-worthy links as the day goes on.
1 Comment3 Minutes
Tiger, Tiger, Burning Blight: The Problem With Pi-ety
November 20, 2012
If A. O. Scott's description of Ang Lee's new movie "Life of Pi" is accurate, then he's confirming my suspicions about the hollowness of the narrative's heart.
9 Comments7 Minutes
35 Years Ago Today, Strange Lights Filled the Sky
November 16, 2012
Today's anniversary nearly slipped past me. But then a tweet from actor Richard Dreyfuss caught my eye...
2 Comments7 Minutes
Father-Figuring It Out: "Margaret," "Moonrise Kingdom," and More
November 14, 2012
What does "Moonrise Kingdom" have in common with "The Master," "Sinister," "Beasts of the Southern Wild," and "Margaret"?
3 Comments1 Minutes
Skyfall (2012)
On Movies & Media,Blog,Film Reviews
November 10, 2012
The new James Bond movie comes armed with something that "The Dark Knight Rises" lacked: playfulness. It has a winning sense of humor about itself all the way through. I’ll take this movie any day over Nolan’s latest tsunami of ponderousness and self-importance.
6 Comments12 Minutes
Lincoln (2012)
On Movies & Media,Blog,Film Reviews
November 9, 2012
This time, Spielberg focuses on the delicate art of bringing characters to life instead of the anxious work of provoking one's audience into reacting.
3 Comments16 Minutes
The Loneliest Planet (2011)
On Movies & Media,Film Reviews
November 2, 2012
I would not say that I find the movie satisfying, but I do find it powerfully haunting. And that is my way of paying the filmmaker and her cast a compliment. To be haunted by a work of art is a better thing than to be satisfied by it. It means that the movie will play on in my imagination, challenging me and asking me to pay attention. I cannot paraphrase with any certainty what "The Loneliest Planet" means, but I am certain that it is extraordinarily meaningful...
4 Comments14 Minutes
Flight (2012)
On Movies & Media,Blog,Film Reviews
November 2, 2012
Robert Zemeckis's catalog of movies is like a box of chocolates: You may not know what flavor you're going to get, but the rest of the experience is predictable. Each movie may be a little crunchy, but they'll all melt in your mouth, giving you a fleeting sugar high, and then vanishing without any lasting benefit. "Flight" is no exception.
2 Comments11 Minutes
Looking Closer with Jeffrey Overstreet
(now the ears of my ears awake andnow the eyes of my eyes are opened)
– e. e. cummings, “i thank You God for most this amazing”