If we posit that a great film is both cinematography and story, EVEREST is not great as it does extremely well in the first area but fares poorly in the second. Obviously, Everest, the mountain, summit of the world, films magnificently. It is mighty, spectacular, awe-inspiring, frightening. It is both threatening and irresistible. Irresistible to the multitude striving to climb to the top or ... more >
ARCHIVES
EVEREST
Because it's there
Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Brolin and Jason Clark
Directed by Baltasar Kormákur
ANNA KARENINA
It's not quite a movie, but it's not quite a play either
Keira Knightley and Jude Law
Directed by Joe Wright
Keira Knightley and filmmaker Joe Wright ("Atonement") team up again to cover a celebrated work of European literature, this time focusing on forbidden love among the Russian aristocracy described by Tolstoy. The latter has directed a gorgeous-looking, if overindulgent, film, although nary a soul is to be found in it. Knightley, as the title character, wallows in her loveless marriage to ... more >
SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD
Dodge hits the road
Steve Carell, Keira Knightley and Connie Britton
Directed by Lorene Scafaria
Despite the latter half of its title, Seeking puts the charm back in "charming." The film accomplishes this by doing the impossible on two levels...firstly, by making a serious subject something to laugh at without falling into the always too familiar traps of over-the-top parody, satire or spoof. Secondly, the film takes the genre of romantic comedy and gives it edge without too much violence, ... more >
Last Night
Spielberg screenwriter tries her hand at filmmaking
Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington and Eva Mendes
Directed by Massy Tajedin
Joanna (Keira Knightley) and Michael (Sam Worthington) are a gorgeous, chic married couple, living in a posh New York City loft. She's a freelance fashion writer, he's a successful real estate agent. Half-naked much of the time, they have cute domestic squabbles and make up over midnight snacks in the kitchen. They're at the three-year point of marriage, and a little bit uncomfortable with routine ... more >
The Duchess
Should've hired the American
Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes and Dominic Cooper
Directed by Saul Dibb
It’s fitting in The Duchess that, despite the obvious passage of years, no one seems to age. It’s a wonderful analogy for British film and the way it seems frozen in time. No film industry in the world more needs a swift kick in the knickers. If Martians landed and could only use modern films to assess British culture, they might conclude all Britons present are gangsters and all Britons past ... more >