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“Everything I learned I learned from the movies.” 
― Audrey Hepburn

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  • Paul Carlson
Escape Into Film
'Before Midnight' review: The next brilliant chapter of a great film romance
Jun 14

Jun 14 'Before Midnight' review: The next brilliant chapter of a great film romance

Paul Carlson
film reviews

'Before Sunrise' was one of the great romances of all time. Its sequel, 'Before Sunset,' ranks among the greatest film sequels of all time. Now 'Before Midnight' will cement the 'Before' series as one of - if not the - greatest film trilogies ever.

'Man of Steel' review: Exciting, fun, if structurally flawed Superman reboot
Jun 11

Jun 11 'Man of Steel' review: Exciting, fun, if structurally flawed Superman reboot

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The most substantial Superman film to date is exciting, but not without some serious structural flaws.

Best of Seattle International Film Festival 2013
Jun 10

Jun 10 Best of Seattle International Film Festival 2013

Paul Carlson
film festivals

I caught 24 films at the SIFF 2013 - here are my top 5 films from the festival.

'Lil Bub & Friendz' review: Cute overload! Enough charm for nine lifetimes
Jun 10

Jun 10 'Lil Bub & Friendz' review: Cute overload! Enough charm for nine lifetimes

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

Kitschy documentary succeeds in making the already internet famous Lil Bub - who suffers a myriad of physical disabilities - more amazing, while doing her weirdo, cat-obsessed fans no such favor.

'The Kings of Summer' review: Indie gem of a nostalgic teen adventure
Jun 7

Jun 7 'The Kings of Summer' review: Indie gem of a nostalgic teen adventure

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

Nostalgic without manipulation, funny without compromising dramatic elements and an overall fun adventure - 'The Kings of Summer' is a great addition to the coming-of-age genre.

'A Band Called Death' review: Evokes the joy of discovering new music
Jun 7

Jun 7 'A Band Called Death' review: Evokes the joy of discovering new music

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

This is not simply the story of rediscovering a lost gem. 'A Band Called Death' is the very human documentary accounting the birth, death and rebirth of a pioneering punk band named Death.

'This is the End' review: A disjointed series of meandering improv skits
Jun 6

Jun 6 'This is the End' review: A disjointed series of meandering improv skits

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Some films are known as 'And then...' scripts. Even if the initial premise is semi interesting, movies of this type meander about and eventually stumble across the finish line. The all-star apocalyptic comedy 'This is the End' is one of those scripts.

'The Purge' review: Preachy commentary, poor acting undermine intriguing premise
Jun 5

Jun 5 'The Purge' review: Preachy commentary, poor acting undermine intriguing premise

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Sadly, this is yet another case of a film's premise deteriorating into a base, underwhelming flick.

'The Internship' review: Not worth the hire
Jun 5

Jun 5 'The Internship' review: Not worth the hire

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Facebook had 'The Social Network' ... and Google gets this unfunny, two-hour commercial.

'Frances Ha' review: Artful, off-beat comedy charms, uplifts
May 30

May 30 'Frances Ha' review: Artful, off-beat comedy charms, uplifts

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals, movie rankings

This off-beat, artful film does what 'The Mindy Project' and even 'Girls' fails to truly accomplish: present a truly focused, wonderfully executed story of sympathetic and realistic single girl living in the city, chasing her dream.

'Now You See Me' review: The film's fun, delight is not an illusion
May 30

May 30 'Now You See Me' review: The film's fun, delight is not an illusion

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Magic shows are designed to entertain and delight - and this fun caper flick is exciting from its first frame to its final act.

'The Hangover Part III' review: A walk of shame for another tired film trilogy
May 22

May 22 'The Hangover Part III' review: A walk of shame for another tired film trilogy

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The first 'Hangover' was a fun ride. Its sequel was a much more dark, angry and much less fun slog. 'The Hangover Part III' is somewhere between the first two movies and brings the trilogy to a halfhearted close.

'Fast & Furious 6' review: The definition of 'stupid fun'
May 20

May 20 'Fast & Furious 6' review: The definition of 'stupid fun'

Paul Carlson
film reviews

More arch acting, more car chases and bigger explosions. The 'Fast & Furious 6' doesn't reinvent the wheel - it's as simple, but incredibly fun, as every other entry in the 'Fast & Furious' franchise.

'Star Trek Into Darkness' review: Fun, exciting (if derivative) 'Trek'
May 13

May 13 'Star Trek Into Darkness' review: Fun, exciting (if derivative) 'Trek'

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The 2009 'Star Trek' film is arguably the greatest reboot in movie history and 'Into Darkness' further explores this new alternate 'Trek' timeline, discovering exciting and accessible new takes on familiar, beloved franchise lore.

Review: Bloated, slow but visually impressive 'The Great Gatsby' underwhelms
May 13

May 13 Review: Bloated, slow but visually impressive 'The Great Gatsby' underwhelms

Paul Carlson
film reviews

For all the meaningful thematic messages, its all-star cast, star-studded soundtrack and a director famed for his ability of inject infectious energy into love stories, 'The Great Gatsby' is ultimately ... underwhelming.

'Iron Man 3' review: Fun, uneven ride pushes Stark to his limits
May 3

May 3 'Iron Man 3' review: Fun, uneven ride pushes Stark to his limits

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The first post-'Avengers' Marvel film is more fun than 'Iron Man 2,' but suffers from underdeveloped villains and potholes that prevent 'Iron Man 3' from gaining a fun amount of traction.

'It's a Disaster' review: The end of world has never been funnier
Apr 26

Apr 26 'It's a Disaster' review: The end of world has never been funnier

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Most comedies rely solely on comedy hay-makers - large, over-the-top gags designed solely for applause break laughs. 'It's A Disaster,' however, is the rare comedy that scores a KO via sharp, hard-hitting comedy jabs.

'Mud' review: A beautifully crafted drama
Apr 26

Apr 26 'Mud' review: A beautifully crafted drama

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Part coming-of-age story, part fugitive adventure and part drama about losing faith in relationships, "Mud" succeeds wonderfully in its ambitious goal of working on so many levels.

'Pain & Gain' review: Like its protagonists, 'Pain' is idiotic but charming
Apr 25

Apr 25 'Pain & Gain' review: Like its protagonists, 'Pain' is idiotic but charming

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Michael Bay's action-crime comedy 'Pain & Gain' is actually pretty boring for much of its running time, however, a strong third act and the charisma of Mark Wahlberg & Dwayne Johnson redeems much of its mistakes.

'Oblivion' film review: Visually beautiful, ironically forgettable
Apr 20

Apr 20 'Oblivion' film review: Visually beautiful, ironically forgettable

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Tom Cruise's new sci-fi flick is a visually beautiful piece of film wrapped around forced plot points and unmerited story twists.

““No subject is terrible if the story is true, if the prose is clean and honest, and if it affirms courage and grace under pressure.””
— "Midnight in Paris"

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