Less a modern Western than an inside look at Hollywood’s fragile psychology, the film “The Magnificent Seven” is a lesson in the way that the movies think at the moment. It’s an encouraging thing, and a more honest historical assessment, to re-create an Old West posse with minorities in major roles. It’s another thing to be so perfectly, comically and distractingly fancied up with diversity that a ... more >
ARCHIVES
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
More seven than magnificent
Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt and Vincent D'Onofrio
Directed by Antoine Fuqua
The Hunger Games-REVIEW
Following in the footsteps of Katniss Everdeen
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson
Directed by Gary Ross
The Hunger Games will sap up comparisons to science fiction. That’s what happens with stories about futuristic dystopias and freaky hovercraft. The better comparison is to Roman or Biblical epics of the fifties. Its story, of the youth of twelve outlying provinces exploited for the bloodsport of a wealthy and perverse capital, is reminiscent of Ben Hur. It even has a grand chariot parade, with ... more >
Winter’s Bone
Never ask for what oughta be offered
Jennifer Lawrence, Isaiah Stone and Ashlee Thompson
Directed by Debra Granik
As a reporter long ago, I worked a story involving illegal trash dumping in Georgia. After locating a popular illegal dump, I headed up the walkway to the nearest door. I was met by a shadow, a man I never quite saw, asking suspiciously about my business there. I identified myself. He told me to leave, with serious intent in his voice. Walking down that driveway is the only time in my life when ... more >