Home
Film Festivals
Hallmark Channel
Interviews
2022 films
2021 films
2020 films
2019 films
2018 films

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

Categories

  • Comic Book flicks
  • essays
  • film festivals
  • film reviews
  • interviews
  • movie diary
  • movie rankings
  • tv series reviews


Authors

  • Paul Carlson
Escape Into Film
'St. Vincent' review: Murray is brilliant in an enjoyable, if flawed, film
Oct 16

Oct 16 'St. Vincent' review: Murray is brilliant in an enjoyable, if flawed, film

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Bill Murray brings to life one of the best film characters of 2014 in an uneven film that starts strong, but disappoints with an underwhelming second half.

'Fury' review: Solid cast leads this strong, grim take on war ethics
Oct 16

Oct 16 'Fury' review: Solid cast leads this strong, grim take on war ethics

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This tank-centric action-drama might not go down as the greatest World War II ever made, but "Fury" is an exceptionally well-acted and executed thriller.

'Men, Women & Children' review: A flailing, clichéd rant against the Internet
Oct 2

Oct 2 'Men, Women & Children' review: A flailing, clichéd rant against the Internet

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This unfocused, meandering and condescending bit of melodramatic anti-Internet propaganda is every bit as subtle and nuanced as the "Reefer Madness" stance on marijuana.

'Jimi: All Is by My Side' review: André 3000 shines in otherwise flat biopic
Sep 26

Sep 26 'Jimi: All Is by My Side' review: André 3000 shines in otherwise flat biopic

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

Anyone interested in watching a great lead actor performance will be satisfied -- but anyone looking for any insight into the life of legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix will be sorely disappointed.

'The Two Faces of January' review: Throwback noir thriller lacks tension, energy
Sep 26

Sep 26 'The Two Faces of January' review: Throwback noir thriller lacks tension, energy

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

Despite a premise on con men and murder, this misnomer of a noir-ish "thriller" sleepwalks its way across Greece from beginning to end.

'The Guest' review: A darkly funny, savagely violent modern cult classic
Sep 25

Sep 25 'The Guest' review: A darkly funny, savagely violent modern cult classic

Paul Carlson
film reviews

First and foremost, find a theater where this film is playing and see it immediately. This is not merely a suggestion - seeing "The Guest" is an imperative.

'The Equalizer' review: Fair-to-middling update of a TV show no one remembers
Sep 25

Sep 25 'The Equalizer' review: Fair-to-middling update of a TV show no one remembers

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Denzel Washington stars as a charming, if incredibly lethal, man who kills, executes and beats up anyone who stands in his way -- but this time the movie is called "The Equalizer."

'The Skeleton Twins' review: This is how to make a funny movie about suicide
Sep 18

Sep 18 'The Skeleton Twins' review: This is how to make a funny movie about suicide

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This indie gem should be a case study in the critical importance of casting and sharp writing. "SNL" alum Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader are perfectly cast in this funny, moving and dark tale of depression, discontentment and suicide.

'This Is Where I Leave You' review: Tired dramedy with forced drama, few laughs
Sep 18

Sep 18 'This Is Where I Leave You' review: Tired dramedy with forced drama, few laughs

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Not even this ensemble cast of comedy heavy weights manages to extract many laughs or drama in yet another tired dysfunctional family 'dramedy.'

'If I Stay' review: The worst argument for why anyone should fight for survival
Aug 22

Aug 22 'If I Stay' review: The worst argument for why anyone should fight for survival

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This young adult drama could have made an interesting existential exploration of what makes life worth fighting for -- instead, this shallow flick opts for safe and uninspired story choices that literally determine a character's life or death.

'Frank' review: Michael Fassbender wears a papier-mâché head for 90 weird mins
Aug 21

Aug 21 'Frank' review: Michael Fassbender wears a papier-mâché head for 90 weird mins

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

This off-beat and endearing comedy proves - if nothing else - the Oscar-nominated and blockbuster popcorn movie actor has definitely not sold out.

'The One I Love' review: A thought-provoking & exciting genre-defying indie gem
Aug 21

Aug 21 'The One I Love' review: A thought-provoking & exciting genre-defying indie gem

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

This unusual romantic comedy/relationship drama/indie sci-fi hybrid is one of the most innovative and surprising film gems of summer 2014.

'Sin City: A Dame to Kill For' review: Too little, too late- this sequel falters
Aug 20

Aug 20 'Sin City: A Dame to Kill For' review: Too little, too late- this sequel falters

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This follow-up is a lesser version of the original "Sin City" on almost every level and fails to flesh out the corrupted sprawling city in any meaningful way, making this one of the least necessary sequels of 2014 so far.

'Calvary' review: A masterful & forlorn parable of the modern Catholic church
Aug 14

Aug 14 'Calvary' review: A masterful & forlorn parable of the modern Catholic church

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

 This nuanced and multi-layered film makes profound statements about the Catholic church's relevance today, the sex abuse scandal's aftermath and the continued need for good men to perform good works in an unrepentantly sinful world.

'The Trip to Italy' review: Equal parts British wit, food porn & Italian vistas
Aug 13

Aug 13 'The Trip to Italy' review: Equal parts British wit, food porn & Italian vistas

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

Although very reminiscent of its predecessor, "The Trip to Italy" remains every bit as fun, charming and engaging as the 2011 original.

'Let's Be Cops' review: Not unwatchable, just very disappointing
Aug 13

Aug 13 'Let's Be Cops' review: Not unwatchable, just very disappointing

Paul Carlson
film reviews

 There are single scenes of "Lethal Weapon" or "22 Jump Street" that are more enjoyable than the totality of this bland attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the "New Girl" co-stars.

'Happy Christmas' review: A 'dramatic comedy' without much drama or many laughs
Aug 8

Aug 8 'Happy Christmas' review: A 'dramatic comedy' without much drama or many laughs

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

Although "Happy Christmas" is billed as a comedy, it's definitely more a dramatic character study with comedic elements than a belly-laugh inducing comedy.

'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' review: Right between 'cowabunga' & 'bummer'
Aug 4

Aug 4 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' review: Right between 'cowabunga' & 'bummer'

Paul Carlson
film reviews

For a franchise best known for its idiomatic expressions - ranging from "radical" to "bogus" - the one that best sums up the latest "Ninja Turtles" adaptation is "meh."

'Guardians of the Galaxy' review: Part 'Star Wars,' part 'Raiders' & all awesome
Jul 30

Jul 30 'Guardians of the Galaxy' review: Part 'Star Wars,' part 'Raiders' & all awesome

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Marvel's tenth film is a full-throttle and zany space adventure that will surely top many "best summer movies of 2014" lists.

'Lucy' review: The dumbest smart movie of summer 2014
Jul 24

Jul 24 'Lucy' review: The dumbest smart movie of summer 2014

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This heady action-thriller is the oddest juxtaposition of intriguing existential musings wrapped in one of the silliest (bordering on stupidest) stories this year.

Load More
““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"

Hallmark Channel RSS
Home RSS