This honest and nuanced masterwork is one of the very best films of 2016.
“Everything I learned I learned from the movies.”
― Audrey Hepburn
Movie Diary: I'm slightly obsessed with the new 'La La Land' trailer
Simply put: "La La Land" looks like a movie custom-built for a film nerd like me.
'Christine' film review: Rebecca Hall's nuanced performance highlights this psychological drama
Firmly grounded by an incredible, Award Season-caliber performance from Rebecca Hall, "Christine" is an empathetic and grim slow-motion unraveling of an ethical journalist who owns an infamous place in TV history.
'The Birth of a Nation' film review: Fine drama falls short of award season hype
This slavery-era biopic is equal parts "12 Years A Slave" and "Braveheart" that is not as powerful as either aforementioned film.
'The Girl on the Train' review: Blunt keeps this lazy mystery from flying off the tracks
Emily Blunt's performance is the only notable highlight of this alleged mystery-thriller. Very little else about this adaptation of the bestselling novel is memorable or intriguing.
'Blair Witch' review: Toothless rehash of original poses as a so-called sequel
Anyone who has seen "The Blair Witch Project" has already seen "Blair Witch." Seeing this weak sequel only encourages Hollywood to make more of these lame pseudo sequels.
'The Fits' review: A bold coming-of-age tale of identity, inclusion
Star Royalty Hightower delivers one of the great breakout performances of 2016 in this confident and abstract coming-of-age drama.
'Carnage Park' film review: All style, little substance to this grindhouse homage
Far more calories were spent in building the gritty tone of this throwback flick than were spent on developing the characters or story of this violent thriller.
'Hunt for the Wilderpeople' film review: An offbeat, endearing adventure
Sweet without becoming sappy, eccentric but not obnoxiously quirky and a wondrous adventure with a sincere love for its oddly paired heroes.
Movie Diary: Rediscovering 'Kissing Jessica Stein'
I had forgotten how much I love this refreshing, breezy independent comedy.
Film review: 'Swiss Army Man' is uncompromisingly weird, surprisingly moving
For better or for worse, there's simply nothing out there quite like "Swiss Army Man." This bizarre mash-up of "Cast Away" and "Weekend at Bernies" is thoroughly bizarre, wholly original & unexpectedly poignant.
'The Purge: Election Year' review: Best of the violent, chaotic franchise so far
"The Purge" action-slasher franchise is many things - fun, silly, violent and chaotic - but it has never been known for its nuance or subtly. But "The Purge: Election Year" manages to finally combine its high-concept carnage with social themes.
'Wiener-Dog' review: Todd Solondz's nihilistic, plodding story of a dog
Of course filmmaker Todd Solondz would find a way to turn a dog's adventure into a hopeless, isolated tale. While his previous films had a dark edge - both in its humor and subject matter - his latest offering "Wiener-Dog" has a wearing dullness to it.
'Music of Strangers' review: Yo-Yo Ma's restless search for purpose in music
A documentary focused on Yo-Yo Ma's world music supergroup practically sells itself.
Interview: 'The Music of Strangers' documentary director Morgan Neville
A chat with Oscar-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville about his new documentary "Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble."
'Spy Time' film review: Spoof flick hilariously sends up secret agent clichés
The hilarious sendup of the classic spy genre works because it takes the action as seriously as it takes its comedy.
Top 10 of 2016 Seattle International Film Festival
As SIFF 2016 winds to a close, it's a good time to reflect upon all the films I managed to cram in during 25 days of movie madness.
Interview: 'Middle Man' cast, director discuss their new dark crime comedy
The director and stars discuss their new dark comedy/thriller "Middle Man" world premiering at the 42nd Seattle International Film Festival.
'Middle Man' film review: Wickedly funny, dark fable of fame & murder
This sharply written dark comedy finds serious laughs in the bleak and blood-soaked journey of an absolutely unfunny "comedian."
'Tower' review: Gripping, intense doc recounts America's first school shooting
This intense documentary leverages powerful first-hand accounts and rotoscoped animation to truly convey the terror and uncertainty of a campus paralyzed by America's first school shooting.