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

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  • Paul Carlson
Escape Into Film
'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' review: Cute title for a flat horror comedy
Feb 5

Feb 5 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' review: Cute title for a flat horror comedy

Paul Carlson
film reviews

While the concept of a "literary classic" and "zombiepocalyse" mashup is intriguing, this horror comedy never makes the leap from interesting story title to entertaining movie.

'Evangelion: 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo' review: Familiar, fresh -still frustrating
Feb 2

Feb 2 'Evangelion: 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo' review: Familiar, fresh -still frustrating

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The long-awaited sequel represents something Eva fans have craved for more than two decades: new story content in the legendary anime franchise.

Review: Long-held secret threatens to shatter a marriage in '45 Years'
Jan 29

Jan 29 Review: Long-held secret threatens to shatter a marriage in '45 Years'

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay deliver a master class in brilliant, low key and quietly intense performances in the thought-provoking marital drama.

'The New Girlfriend' review: Tale of self discovery defies conventions
Jan 26

Jan 26 'The New Girlfriend' review: Tale of self discovery defies conventions

Paul Carlson
film reviews

A nuanced and thoughtful heart lies at the core of this psychosexual drama - as well as a playful and disarming attitude to this story of self-discovery.

'Mojave' review: Oscar Isaac shines in pretentious, odd throwback thriller
Jan 22

Jan 22 'Mojave' review: Oscar Isaac shines in pretentious, odd throwback thriller

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This cat-and-mouse thriller crackles with life whenever Oscar Isaac is on screen -- but wallows in a bizarre and lethargic malaise whenever he's off screen.

'Mustang' film review: Rebellious coming of age drama inspires
Dec 25

Dec 25 'Mustang' film review: Rebellious coming of age drama inspires

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

This timely Turkish drama is a powerful and touching indictment of systemic and cultural subjugation -- and an inspiring tale of rebellion and preserving identity.

'The Hateful Eight' review: Excessive, even by Tarantino standards
Dec 25

Dec 25 'The Hateful Eight' review: Excessive, even by Tarantino standards

Paul Carlson
film reviews

While this is a worthy entry into the Quentin Tarantino library, it retreads territory the filmmaker has already explored -- in terms of tone, style and even premise.

'The Big Short' review: Drama finds comedy, tragedy in the financial crisis
Dec 23

Dec 23 'The Big Short' review: Drama finds comedy, tragedy in the financial crisis

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

The adage "comedy is tragedy plus time" absolutely captures the tone and tenor of this masterful comedy-drama.

'Joy' movie review: Vibrant J-Law saves unfocused, tonally inconsistent film
Dec 23

Dec 23 'Joy' movie review: Vibrant J-Law saves unfocused, tonally inconsistent film

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This biopic - that is part dreamy drama and part ruthless business story - is still an entertaining journey ... despite several tonal and story missteps.

'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' film review (spoiler-free)
Dec 16

Dec 16 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' film review (spoiler-free)

Paul Carlson
film reviews

"The Force Awakens" represents the start of something exciting rooted in something familiar.

'The Revenant' review: Visceral, brutal & harrowing epic of survival, revenge
Dec 4

Dec 4 'The Revenant' review: Visceral, brutal & harrowing epic of survival, revenge

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The latest film from director Alejandro G. Iñárritu is a bruising, brutal and emotionally exhausting tale of survival and revenge. 

'The Ridiculous 6' Netflix review: Adam Sandler, Happy Madison must be stopped
Dec 1

Dec 1 'The Ridiculous 6' Netflix review: Adam Sandler, Happy Madison must be stopped

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This atrocity of alleged "comedy" should unite all movie lovers in one unified voice: Sandler - and all his Happy Madison lackeys - must be run out of show business.

'Creed' movie review: Best entry in the franchise since the first 'Rocky'
Nov 25

Nov 25 'Creed' movie review: Best entry in the franchise since the first 'Rocky'

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Every bit the worthy successor to the "Rocky" franchise, "Creed" is an elegant passing of the torch and a rousing flick that inspires.

'The Good Dinosaur' review: A good, not great, Pixar flick
Nov 25

Nov 25 'The Good Dinosaur' review: A good, not great, Pixar flick

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This is a good animated adventure in its own right, but it does not stand shoulder-to-shoulder among the Pixar greats.

'Where to Invade Next' review: Funniest, least substantial Moore documentary yet
Nov 19

Nov 19 'Where to Invade Next' review: Funniest, least substantial Moore documentary yet

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

Michael Moore's latest documentary is the filmmaker's most comprehensive, pro-American and rousing film to date -- yet it offers in terms of 'solutions' it lacks in depth.

'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2' review: Series limps to a violent end
Nov 19

Nov 19 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2' review: Series limps to a violent end

Paul Carlson
film reviews

A serviceable end to the "Hunger Games" series - but not one that can be called satisfying or very entertaining.

'Spotlight' review: Brilliant, tightly-focused celebration of solid journalism
Nov 13

Nov 13 'Spotlight' review: Brilliant, tightly-focused celebration of solid journalism

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The gravity of the real-life Catholic Church scandal makes this drama compelling, but this film's complex and intricate layers of conflict make this film a must-see of 2015.

'Macbeth' review: Fassbender's brilliance highlights bold, brooding update
Nov 7

Nov 7 'Macbeth' review: Fassbender's brilliance highlights bold, brooding update

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

This realization of "Macbeth" earns its place among the greatest film adaptations of any of Shakespeare's work.

'The Lobster' film review: Bizarre, thrilling, hilarious & heartbreaking all at once
Nov 7

Nov 7 'The Lobster' film review: Bizarre, thrilling, hilarious & heartbreaking all at once

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

This wonderfully odd movie is equal parts thriller, drama, romance, comedy and science fiction.

'Spectre' film review: Bond's latest is too long, too cluttered & too shallow
Nov 6

Nov 6 'Spectre' film review: Bond's latest is too long, too cluttered & too shallow

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This latest 007-flick feels like a throwback to the old Bond movies -- but not in a good way.

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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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