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

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  • Paul Carlson
Escape Into Film
'Avengers: Age of Ultron' review: Fun, if slightly flawed, Marvel centerpiece
Apr 30

Apr 30 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' review: Fun, if slightly flawed, Marvel centerpiece

Paul Carlson
film reviews

An "Avengers" movie featuring HYDRA, Ultron (one of the great Marvel Comics villains of all time) and the Hulkbuster armor in full action should be better than "good."

'Spy,' 'The Overnight' & 'Earl and the Dying Girl' highlight SIFF 2015
Apr 30

Apr 30 'Spy,' 'The Overnight' & 'Earl and the Dying Girl' highlight SIFF 2015

Paul Carlson
film festivals

The full slate of films that will screen during the 41st annual festival has been released and tickets go on sale today.

Interview: 'Ex Machina' director Alex Garland on the inevitability, ethics of AI
Apr 24

Apr 24 Interview: 'Ex Machina' director Alex Garland on the inevitability, ethics of AI

Paul Carlson
interviews

"Ex Machina" writer-director Alex Garland discusses his directorial debut.

'Ex Machina' review: A heady, seductive analysis of humanity, consciousness
Apr 17

Apr 17 'Ex Machina' review: A heady, seductive analysis of humanity, consciousness

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The focused, thought-provoking and compelling science fiction drama "Ex Machina" is arguably the best film released this spring, could end up the best sci-fi of the year and will absolutely be in the "best movies of 2015" discussion.

'Unfriended' review: A creepy & effective horror gem of the digital age
Apr 17

Apr 17 'Unfriended' review: A creepy & effective horror gem of the digital age

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Just as the supernatural horror and "found footage" genres began to feel stale, then comes along the creative and unexpectedly refreshing "Unfriended," a movie that will surely rank among the best of the "found footage" sub-genre.

'While We're Young' film review: Touching, hilarious take on a midlife crisis
Apr 10

Apr 10 'While We're Young' film review: Touching, hilarious take on a midlife crisis

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Director Noah Baumbach has tackled the coming-of-age teen years ("The Squid and the Whale") and the arrested development of modern twentysomethings ("Frances Ha") -- and his latest film takes on a full-on midlife and existential crisis.

'Furious 7' film review: Absurd, silly & fun flick best of the 'Fast' series
Apr 3

Apr 3 'Furious 7' film review: Absurd, silly & fun flick best of the 'Fast' series

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The latest entry in the "Fast and Furious" series continues the franchise's unlikely trend of somehow improving with each new flick.

'The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby' Netflix review: Perfect for binge viewing
Mar 28

Mar 28 'The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby' Netflix review: Perfect for binge viewing

Paul Carlson
film reviews

One of the most interesting exercises in cinematic storytelling, the trio of "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby" feature films, tracks the wrong side of a romance from his and her perspectives.

'It Follows' film review: Refreshing indie gem destined for cult horror glory
Mar 27

Mar 27 'It Follows' film review: Refreshing indie gem destined for cult horror glory

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This indie horror flick absolutely capitalizes on its refreshing premise - itself a meta-swipe against the countless dull slashers that stigmatized casual sex - and brilliantly executes a tense, innovative and piece of American cinema.

'Insurgent' film review: Dull & careless are kind ways to describe this YA slog
Mar 18

Mar 18 'Insurgent' film review: Dull & careless are kind ways to describe this YA slog

Paul Carlson
film reviews

There are worse and more cloying young adult film adaptations out there, but "Insurgent" sets a new disappointing baseline for lazy YA movies.

Film review: If you've seen 'District 9' or 'Elysium,' you've seen 'Chappie'
Mar 5

Mar 5 Film review: If you've seen 'District 9' or 'Elysium,' you've seen 'Chappie'

Paul Carlson
film reviews

"Chappie," the latest film from director Neill Blomkamp ("District 9"), is a frustrating, soulless and heavy-handed AI tale.

'Fifty Shades of Grey' review: The awkward, unintentional comedy of 2015
Feb 13

Feb 13 'Fifty Shades of Grey' review: The awkward, unintentional comedy of 2015

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Shouldn't a movie whose core subject matter is the racy, brow-raising world of BDSM be more ... exciting ... on any level?

'The Last Five Years' review: Intriguing & bittersweet musical charms
Feb 13

Feb 13 'The Last Five Years' review: Intriguing & bittersweet musical charms

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This is a rich tapestry of dreams, love, resentment and all the ups and downs of a doomed relationship.

'The Interview' review: Silly, mildly funny bromance doesn't live up to its hype
Dec 24

Dec 24 'The Interview' review: Silly, mildly funny bromance doesn't live up to its hype

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Despite its over-the-top premise, "The Interview" is essentially a bromance between two buddies -- packed with a lot of poop and gay jokes.

'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies' review: Ending on a mediocre note
Dec 16

Dec 16 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies' review: Ending on a mediocre note

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The unnecessarily bloated "Hobbit" trilogy comes to a merciful - if mildly entertaining - conclusion

'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1' review: An underwhelming stopgap sequel
Nov 20

Nov 20 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1' review: An underwhelming stopgap sequel

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The fact this movie exists is pretty confusing -- there simply are not enough plot points in "Mockingjay - Part 1" or compelling set-up for the grand finale to justify this underwhelming penultimate sequel.

'Dumb and Dumber To' review: Retread of a cult comedy - but with fewer jokes
Nov 13

Nov 13 'Dumb and Dumber To' review: Retread of a cult comedy - but with fewer jokes

Paul Carlson
film reviews

 There's virtually no important plot -- at best, it's a slightly warmed-over version of the original "Dumb and Dumber" plot (road trip to find girl, return item to her). 

'Interstellar' review: The grandest cinematic spectacle of 2014 to behold
Nov 5

Nov 5 'Interstellar' review: The grandest cinematic spectacle of 2014 to behold

Paul Carlson
film reviews

"Interstellar" is a masterfully crafted film rooted in exciting scientific ideas and based in essentially a love story - but it suffers a number of structural weaknesses.

'Laggies' film review: Knightley, Rockwell save this clunky dramedy
Oct 24

Oct 24 'Laggies' film review: Knightley, Rockwell save this clunky dramedy

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The dramatic-comedy swipe at rudderless "gen-xers" has is propped up by a sympathetic director and strong key performances - but dragged down questionable plot points and thin supporting characters.

'Birdman' review: Stunning, surreal take on a very real existential crisis
Oct 23

Oct 23 'Birdman' review: Stunning, surreal take on a very real existential crisis

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The latest from director Alejandro González Iñárritu ("21 Grams" and "Amores Perros") is arguably the most complete and complex cinematic experience of 2014, driven by incredible performances, a compelling character study, sharply-written dialogue and beautiful/daring cinematography.

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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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