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

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  • Paul Carlson
Escape Into Film
'The Purge: Anarchy' review: Intense sequel still silly, thin & preachy
Jul 17

Jul 17 'The Purge: Anarchy' review: Intense sequel still silly, thin & preachy

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This sequel is a more menacing survival-thriller than the original "Purge" in every possible way -- while still being a little too silly and preachy for its own good.

'Boyhood' review: A beautiful, audacious, epic marvel of cinema & storytelling
Jul 17

Jul 17 'Boyhood' review: A beautiful, audacious, epic marvel of cinema & storytelling

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

This sprawling coming-of-age epic -- comprised entirely of masterfully woven together slice-of-life moments -- is one of the very best films in recent years. "Boyhood" is cutting-edge, experimental film making at its finest.

'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' review: Not merely great sci-fi but great drama
Jul 10

Jul 10 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' review: Not merely great sci-fi but great drama

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The "Planet of the Apes" franchise is officially cool again. Add "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" to the short list of sequels that surpass their already impressive predecessors.

Main takeaways from 'Guardians of the Galaxy' 17-min extended preview
Jul 8

Jul 8 Main takeaways from 'Guardians of the Galaxy' 17-min extended preview

Paul Carlson
essays

The extended preview succeeds in establishing the five main members of the "Guardians," reveals a major set piece from early in the movie and cranks up the excitement for this incredible looking new Marvel franchise.

'The Fault in Our Stars' review: Stacks the deck in its pursuit of tears
Jun 4

Jun 4 'The Fault in Our Stars' review: Stacks the deck in its pursuit of tears

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

For a film so clearly designed only to be a quintessential tearjerker, this tale of first love and dying young pulls emotional strings with a story that borders on manipulative.

'Locke' review: Brilliant thriller comprised of everyday tragedies
May 8

May 8 'Locke' review: Brilliant thriller comprised of everyday tragedies

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This is a human thriller that pits a normal man in several impossible situations - all of which he must confront and deal with in one night.

'Amazing Spider-Man 2' review: Serviceable, but far short of amazing
May 2

May 2 'Amazing Spider-Man 2' review: Serviceable, but far short of amazing

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Somewhere in the middle of "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," a character laments how much he dislikes 'complicated' things. That character would not be a fan of the very ambitious, tragically anemic latest Spider-Man flick.

'Cheap Thrills' review: Fun, disturbing and smart
Mar 21

Mar 21 'Cheap Thrills' review: Fun, disturbing and smart

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

Like sweet and sour or chocolate and peanut butter, the combination of devilish fun and unnerving darkness comes together to form something unexpectedly incredible. 

'Divergent' review: A lobotomized, derivative hijacking of tired sci-fi elements
Mar 19

Mar 19 'Divergent' review: A lobotomized, derivative hijacking of tired sci-fi elements

Paul Carlson
film reviews

It's slightly ironic that a story about free-thinking and independence is such an unoriginal, uninspired mishmash of tired sci-fi elements.

'The Grand Budapest Hotel' review: Sprawling adventure, excessively offbeat
Mar 14

Mar 14 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' review: Sprawling adventure, excessively offbeat

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Wes Anderson further cements his legacy as one of America's great working filmmakers and storytellers - but this latest offering still doesn't crack his top three best films.

100 incredible films
Mar 1

Mar 1 100 incredible films

Paul Carlson
movie rankings

As a self-professed movie nerd, if I could only watch 100 movies -- these would be the 100 films I would pick.

'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' review: Peter Jackson fleeces fans again
Dec 26

Dec 26 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' review: Peter Jackson fleeces fans again

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Only the most hardcore Peter Jackson fan can justify this tortuously drawn out 'Hobbit' sequel.

'Her' review: Sweet. Profound. Poetic. Beautiful.
Dec 24

Dec 24 'Her' review: Sweet. Profound. Poetic. Beautiful.

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The small story of a man and his computer is one of the very best films of 2013.

'Saving Mr. Banks' review: 'Mary Poppins' is the sugar here ...
Dec 24

Dec 24 'Saving Mr. Banks' review: 'Mary Poppins' is the sugar here ...

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The best that can be said of 'Saving Mr. Banks' is that it is a good movie. The worst that can be said is 'Mr. Banks' makes 'Mary Poppins' look like the only legitimate live-action Best Picture Oscar contender Disney has ever produced.

'American Hustle' review: The best Scorsese film that Scorsese didn't direct
Dec 24

Dec 24 'American Hustle' review: The best Scorsese film that Scorsese didn't direct

Paul Carlson
film reviews

An A-list cast, compelling story, rich characters and masterful direction make 'American Hustle' one of very best films this year.

'Secret Life of Walter Mitty' review: Vivid as a daydream & just as meaningful
Dec 23

Dec 23 'Secret Life of Walter Mitty' review: Vivid as a daydream & just as meaningful

Paul Carlson
film reviews

'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' is a well-intentioned, sweet adventure that resorts to obvious ploys in its effort to 'inspire' and 'uplift.'

'Catching Fire' review: Thoughtful, exciting sequel is a near bull's-eye
Nov 22

Nov 22 'Catching Fire' review: Thoughtful, exciting sequel is a near bull's-eye

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Amid all the Oscars hopefuls and holiday flicks, 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' is easily the most entertaining and exciting movie of the season.

'Crystal Fairy' review: This is how to make a drug-fueled road trip story boring
Nov 21

Nov 21 'Crystal Fairy' review: This is how to make a drug-fueled road trip story boring

Paul Carlson
film reviews

On paper, this film has all the ingredients of an interesting indie film. An obsessed hero searches a faraway land for a fabled drug - but his journey is disrupted by his perfect antithesis. Yet somehow, 'Crystal Fairy' is a pretty boring trip to the beach.

'Nebraska' review: Nuanced journey through America's heartland
Nov 15

Nov 15 'Nebraska' review: Nuanced journey through America's heartland

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The latest from director Alexander Payne ('The Descendants,' 'Sideways' and 'Election') is a brilliantly quiet and poetic hero's story.

'Thor: The Dark World' review: Only stokes demand for a Loki spin-off
Nov 13

Nov 13 'Thor: The Dark World' review: Only stokes demand for a Loki spin-off

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This latest Marvel flick is a fine, mildly fun adventure that's at its best whenever Loki is onscreen

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““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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