ARCHIVES

The uncertain nature of human connection explored in “THERE, THERE” | REVIEW

A rewarding film experience
Starring Lili Taylor, Jason Schwartzman and Lennie James
Directed by Andrew Bujalski

Andrew Bujalski's “There There” has the rarest of abilities to capture the natural conversations between people who are moving through their life journeys, seeking self-worth, and looking to define themselves. This is an honest and organic film, impeccably performed by its excellent cast. Filmed during the pandemic lockdown, Bujalski’s experimental work is a series of six two-character segments ... more >

The Conjuring

Or the death of Marco Polo
Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson and Lili Taylor
Directed by James Wan

In “The Conjuring” Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga take the roles of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, a Nick and Nora of supernatural troubleshooting. The real-life Warrens are best known in some circles as investigators at Amityville. “The Conjuring” comes from a lesser known incident earlier in their career, a 1971 investigation at a 300-year-old Rhode Island farmhouse. The ... more >

BLOOD TIES

Brooklyn family drama engrosses Cannes

If “Blood Ties” by Guillaume Canet hits all the right notes it’s probably because the partition is a familiar one: an Italian-American family drama based in New York, the gangster’s life, one final hit before I retire. This is a genre in itself. Starring in no particular order Mila Kunis, Zoe Saldana, Marion Cotillard and Billy Crudup, “Ties” also include Clive Owen in the role of the bad guy. ... more >