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

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  • Paul Carlson
Escape Into Film
Interview: 'Mother's Day' director Garry Marshall on women & comedy
Apr 29

Apr 29 Interview: 'Mother's Day' director Garry Marshall on women & comedy

Paul Carlson
interviews

Creator of "Happy Days" and director of "Pretty Woman" chats about his new ensemble comedy.

'Sing Street' review: Soulful, rocking '80s coming-of-age musical is a winner
Apr 29

Apr 29 'Sing Street' review: Soulful, rocking '80s coming-of-age musical is a winner

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The new wave infused flick rocks with a stellar synthpop soundtrack packed with familiar hits and energetic/poignant original songs.

Woody Allen’s 'Café Society' to open 2016 Seattle International Film Festival
Apr 21

Apr 21 Woody Allen’s 'Café Society' to open 2016 Seattle International Film Festival

Paul Carlson
film festivals

The North American premiere of Woody Allen's latest film will also open this year's Seattle International Film Festival, organizers announced.

Review: Incredible, dark 'The Jungle Book' update thrills & delights
Apr 15

Apr 15 Review: Incredible, dark 'The Jungle Book' update thrills & delights

Paul Carlson
film reviews

While the original was a fun little romp through the jungle, this update is a heartfelt and thrilling adventure that's unexpectedly every bit as fun-loving as the animated classic.

Review: Devilishly fun, intense 'Green Room' is a must-see for horror fans
Apr 15

Apr 15 Review: Devilishly fun, intense 'Green Room' is a must-see for horror fans

Paul Carlson
film reviews

No reason to bury the lede: Patrick Stewart is absolutely chilling as a murderous white supremacist leader in this intense, visceral and unexpectedly funny horror-thriller.

Film review: 'The Adderall Diaries'
Apr 15

Apr 15 Film review: 'The Adderall Diaries'

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The stimulant adderall can be misused to increase focus and increase productivity. Ironically, this true-crime drama is terribly unfocused and flails awkwardly for its meager running time.

Review: Christopher Plummer masterful, poignant in revenge thriller 'Remember'
Apr 1

Apr 1 Review: Christopher Plummer masterful, poignant in revenge thriller 'Remember'

Paul Carlson
film reviews

While this is a great Christopher Plummer showcase, its predictable arc and methodical pacing undermine what is, at times, a very effective revenge story.

'City of Gold' review: Endearing portrait of a critic & his beloved Los Angeles
Mar 25

Mar 25 'City of Gold' review: Endearing portrait of a critic & his beloved Los Angeles

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Come for the intriguing story of an unlikely Pulitzer Prize winner - stay for a film that is more than just a loving portrait of a fantastic storyteller.

Film review: 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'
Mar 23

Mar 23 Film review: 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Forget the Joker or Lex Luthor. Director Zack Snyder may be the greatest villain threatening DC's greatest heroes. 

Film review: Sally Field charms, dazzles in 'Hello, My Name is Doris'
Mar 18

Mar 18 Film review: Sally Field charms, dazzles in 'Hello, My Name is Doris'

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Beloved actress Sally Field shines as a very late bloomer in the indie comedy.

'The Bronze' review: Major scoring deductions for lazy, shock-based "comedy"
Mar 18

Mar 18 'The Bronze' review: Major scoring deductions for lazy, shock-based "comedy"

Paul Carlson
film reviews

An aggressively unlikeable lead character and some misguided comedic misfires make this a patience-testing "comedy."

'Allegiant' film review: Already terrible 'Divergent' franchise hits a new low
Mar 18

Mar 18 'Allegiant' film review: Already terrible 'Divergent' franchise hits a new low

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The latest "Divergent" sequel is many things: another wholly unnecessary exercise in chopping one novel into two malformed movies, a crass cash grab for a franchise with an impending expiration date and every YA trope mashed into a twisted pile of uninspired teen angst plot points.

'Touched with Fire' review: Well-meaning, but flawed, mental illness drama
Feb 19

Feb 19 'Touched with Fire' review: Well-meaning, but flawed, mental illness drama

Paul Carlson
film reviews

While this work aims for the profound, it ultimately has more in common with a made-for-TV movie than a serious work of cinematic drama.

Movie review: Jesse Owens biopic 'Race'
Feb 19

Feb 19 Movie review: Jesse Owens biopic 'Race'

Paul Carlson
film reviews

While this is a nice and inspiring sports drama, this Jesse Owens biopic is disappointing in the context of the subject matter and its central figure.

'The Witch' film review: A truly disturbing, unnerving psychological nightmare
Feb 19

Feb 19 'The Witch' film review: A truly disturbing, unnerving psychological nightmare

Paul Carlson
film reviews

To give this movie the broad label of "horror film" simply does not give the sincerely unsettling aspects of this film the credit they deserve. 

'Boy & the World' review: Joyous, grim & vibrant expressionistic masterpiece
Feb 12

Feb 12 'Boy & the World' review: Joyous, grim & vibrant expressionistic masterpiece

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Rarely is a film such a joyous, vibrant, heartbreaking and powerful tapestry of emotions and social commentary.

Review: Crass. Violent. Silly. It's everything 'Deadpool' needs to be.
Feb 11

Feb 11 Review: Crass. Violent. Silly. It's everything 'Deadpool' needs to be.

Paul Carlson
film reviews

After the mediocrity of "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and "Man of Steel," this insanely fun and violent R-rated romp is exactly what the aging genre desperately needed.

'Paulette' review: Charming character study of a drug dealing racist old lady
Feb 9

Feb 9 'Paulette' review: Charming character study of a drug dealing racist old lady

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This French crime comedy is a classic fish out of water story -- except this fish is an extremely racist old woman who finds herself deep in the world of drug dealing.

Movie review: Fans of horror anthology flicks will enjoy 'Southbound'
Feb 5

Feb 5 Movie review: Fans of horror anthology flicks will enjoy 'Southbound'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

This horror anthology has just enough smarts to save it from being just another dumb horror flick -- but lacks enough inspiration to elevate it to the level of truly memorable horror.

'Son of Saul' review: Powerful, unflinching descent into the banality of evil
Feb 5

Feb 5 'Son of Saul' review: Powerful, unflinching descent into the banality of evil

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

The Auschwitz death camp drama is unlike any Holocaust film you've ever seen.

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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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