Great Movies
Chaz's Journal
Our Favorite Roger Reviews: Lincoln
A reprint of Roger Ebert's review of Lincoln, with an introduction from Erin Mast.
A reprint of Roger Ebert's review of Lincoln, with an introduction from Erin Mast.
An appreciation of Lincoln, its theatrical roots, and how it merges the voices of Tony Kushner and Steven Spielberg.
The latest on Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming services includes Dreamland, Synchronic, Jungleland, and Criterion editions of Amores Perros, Crash, and Minding the Gap.
A look back at Steven Soderbergh's directorial debut, "sex, lies, & videotape," on the occasion of a new Blu-ray release from the Criterion Collection.
A tribute to the singular presence and innumerable characters of the late R. Lee Ermey.
For the 41st installment in his video essay series about maligned masterworks, Scout Tafoya examines David Cronenberg's Crash.
An interview with the director "Baby Boom" and reappreciation of the film on its 30th anniversary.
You never know what you'll find wandering around the Gaslamp District of San Diego during San Diego Comic-Con. On Saturday, a secret "Avengers: Age of Ultron" headquarters opened up, thanks to Samsung Revolution.
Picks for the best of the 2013-14 television season, in the form of a Dream Emmy ballot.
Ian Grey visits Sherlock Holmes, and deduces why Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's detective is perfectly suited to episode television—and endlessly re-inventable.
"Lincoln," a new movie directed by Steven Spielberg, overflows with talk, large chunks of which are delivered by the titular character. It opens, however, with an instance of Lincoln listening. After a brief outburst of violence, which allows us to witness the Civil War strife in all its mud-drenched brutality, four soldiers of various ranks and differing races casually approach the sixteenth President and talk to him. Their demeanor varies, running the gamut from celebrity-struck goofiness ("Hey, how tall are you?") to brave political confrontation by a Black corporal, demanding equal opportunities for a military career. And yet, as the scene closes, the soldiers end up literally speaking in Lincoln's words. By showing they have memorized the "Gettysburg Address," they give the ultimate proof of political trust in one's leader: they allow Lincoln's mind to merge with their own.
Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" (2102) is exactly what we would expect it to be. It is reverent. It is of such epic scope, with such microscopic attention to detail, that it competes with any period piece in the history of cinema. Daniel Day-Lewis disappears into Abraham Lincoln. So many supporting players ornament this film that a familiar face appears on screen every few minutes, adding depth, personality, and charm. Tony Kushner's script is complex, pious, and at times mesmerizing. Janusz Kaminski's cinematography, mixed with Rick Carter's production design, provides a portrait in every frame.
Marie writes: I may have been born in Canada, but I grew-up watching Sesame Street and Big Bird, too. Together, they encouraged me to learn new things; and why now I can partly explain string theory.That being the case, I was extremely displeased to hear that were it up Romney, as President he wouldn't continue to support PBS. And because I'm not American and can't vote in their elections, I did the only thing I could: I immediately reached for Photoshop....
(Click image to enlarge.)
Marie writes: Intrepid club member Sandy Kahn came upon the following recipe and wisely showed it to me, so that I might share it in turn with all of you. Behold the morning chocolate cookie - a healthy breakfast treat loaded with good stuff; like fiber and imported French chocolate.
TORONTO--If the 27th Toronto Film Festival closes after two days, it will have shown six wonderful films and one magnificently bloody-minded one--and I do not exclude the possible greatness of entries I have not yet seen.
PARK CITY, Utah--From despair to victory, the South African documentary "Amandla!" has the widest range of emotion of any film at this year's Sundance. It follows the history of the struggle for freedom in terms of the movement's music--which was, as one singer observes, a weapon the apartheid government could not disarm.
Q. This summer sees the release of "Mission Impossible." Other recently released films include "Sgt. Bilko" and "Flipper." What is your opinion of the spate of popular television shows being made into major motion pictures? Is Hollywood beginning to run out of fresh ideas? (Mark Dayton, Costa Mesa, Ca.)
The Festival International du Film, held annually in Cannes, France, has become the world's most prestigious film festival—the spot on the beach where the newest films from the world's top directors compete for both publicity and awards.
