Michael (Fuqua, 2026)
Every story of Michael Jackson’s life does not need to begin and end with the reported fact that he agreed to a $23 million settlement to someone who accused him… Continue reading "Michael (Fuqua, 2026)"
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Cookie Queens (Nahmias, 2025)
I don’t want to be the first guy to ruin Cookie Queens‘ perfect tomatometer score with an old-man diatribe. The documentary is a pleasant watch, and festivals with their fill… Continue reading "Cookie Queens (Nahmias, 2025)"
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Ask E. Jean (Meeropol, 2025)
Just to be crystal clear, I believe E. Jean Carroll entirely in her claim that Donald J. Trump raped her in a department store dressing room. One might wish that… Continue reading "Ask E. Jean (Meeropol, 2025)"
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We Were the Scenery (Radcliff, 2025)
There are few things we feel more nostalgia about or idealize quite as much as the movies of our youth. I have been on a handful of movie sets, so… Continue reading "We Were the Scenery (Radcliff, 2025)"
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Steal This Story, Please! (Deal and Lessin, 2025)
“When you hear someone speak, it’s less likely you’ll want to destroy them.” The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham kicks off on Thursday, April 16. Local residents and… Continue reading "Steal This Story, Please! (Deal and Lessin, 2025)"
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The Stranger (Ozon, 2025)
Every time I review a new François Ozon film, I have to review my past notes to see if I have ever made this comparison out loud. His career and… Continue reading "The Stranger (Ozon, 2025)"
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Real Genius (Coolidge, 1985)
Author’s note: this review is part of jury deliberations for the 2026 Arts & Faith list of Top 25 Spiritually Significant Films Directed by Women. Long before I identified as… Continue reading "Real Genius (Coolidge, 1985)"
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The Summer Book (McDowell, 2024)
Film paradoxically shows little interest in old characters while venerating aging actors. Think about On Golden Pond and you are more likely to remember Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda than… Continue reading "The Summer Book (McDowell, 2024)"
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The President’s Cake (Hadi, 2025)
For the first thirty minutes or so, The President’s Cake sets up its premise — that an Iraqi girl must overcome poverty and food shortages fueled by economic sanctions against… Continue reading "The President’s Cake (Hadi, 2025)"
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Favorite Film Series: Jesus Christ Superstar (Jewison, 1973)
The parameters of the exercise seemed simple enough: pick a favorite film from each year of my life. Progress on the series has been slow for an unexpected reason. I… Continue reading "Favorite Film Series: Jesus Christ Superstar (Jewison, 1973)"