The manic joy and deep sadness of Three Identical Strangers reunited as teenagers. Director Tim Wardle’s new documentary Three Identical Strangers reminded me slightly of Eugene Jarecki’s standout doc from 2003, Capturing the … Read More
Movie review: “Summer 1993” is a miraculous debut
Don’t watch the trailer for Carla Simón’s Summer 1993 (Estiu 1993). Simón’s autobiographical first feature is the kind of low-key character study that is impossible to market and, in excerpts, it can … Read More
Movie review: James McAvoy and Alicia Vikander can’t float “Submergence”
An old tried-and-true rule that carries over from the days of VHS rental stores is that if you come across a movie that you have never heard of, but the … Read More
Movie review: Joaquin Phoenix in “You Were Never Really Here”
Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here is a film about violence — and it’s quite brutal in its way — but very little of that violence is shown. Instead, Ramsay … Read More
Revisit your favorite IPs in “Ready Player One”? How ‘Bout No?
The Ernest Cline book Ready Player One is a story by a pop culture fanboy for pop culture fanboys. It’s full of signifiers and not-very-deep references that make young Gen … Read More
Movie Review: Soderbergh psychodrama makes Claire Foy go “Unsane”
Director Steven Soderbergh’s post-“retirement” career is kicking into high gear, with the release of his third project in roughly seven months. Like the feature film Logan Lucky and the interactive serial … Read More
New Music Friday: Caroline Rose’s “Loner”
Singer-songwriter Caroline Rose has traded in the rootsy Americana of her first full-length (2014’s I Will Not Be Afraid) for a more polished, pop-influenced sound on her brand-new second album, Loner. … Read More
How ‘Bout No? to “Fifty Shades Freed,” Yes to home haircuts
We’ve entered the entertainment Dead Zone that is the beginning of the year. As such, I haven’t been inspired to make a new episode of How ‘Bout No?, my homemade … Read More
The Perfect Time for New Year’s Resolutions
When exactly does one begin enacting their New Year’s resolutions? Here’s a handy guide for use this — and every — year. January first doesn’t work. It’s too played-out. We’re … Read More
Movie Review: Golden Globe winner “In the Fade” examines grief and revenge
In the Fade, the latest winner of the Golden Globe award for Best Foreign Language Film, is the kind of flick that benefits from not knowing much about it, going in. It’s … Read More
“Die Hard” is your fave Christmas movie? How ‘Bout No?
A few years ago, the idea that “Die Hard is my favorite Christmas movie” was a novelty. Then, it became a rallying cry for non-elitist movie fans who prefer their holiday … Read More
Movie Review: “I, Tonya” a Harrowing and Giddy Crowd Pleaser
It’s been a few days since I watched I, Tonya, and I’ve been talking it up, to whomever will listen, ever since. Some of these listeners ask me, “Well, is it … Read More
“How ‘Bout No?” returns to offer alternatives to Eminem’s REVIVAL
I hate to say I told you so, but I did. In the first episode of my new Youtube show, How ‘Bout No?, I warned you to stay away from … Read More
Movie Review: Woody Allen’s “Wonder Wheel” offers no revelations
Woody Allen’s new film Wonder Wheel is being released this weekend in select cities. What is the point of reviewing a Woody Allen film in 2017? By now, the majority … Read More