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

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  • Paul Carlson
Escape Into Film
'Tower' review: Gripping, intense doc recounts America's first school shooting
Jun 7

Jun 7 'Tower' review: Gripping, intense doc recounts America's first school shooting

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

This intense documentary leverages powerful first-hand accounts and rotoscoped animation to truly convey the terror and uncertainty of a campus paralyzed by America's first school shooting.

Review: 'The Night Stalker'
Jun 4

Jun 4 Review: 'The Night Stalker'

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

Is it possible to make a flat, lumbering and tedious film about a notorious serial killer? The answer is yes.

Interview: Filmmaker Sterlin Harjo on his Native American suspense drama 'Mekko'
Jun 3

Jun 3 Interview: Filmmaker Sterlin Harjo on his Native American suspense drama 'Mekko'

Paul Carlson
interviews, film festivals

Writer-director discusses the state of independent film and what inspired his suspense-drama "Mekko."

Film review: 'Paralytic'
Jun 3

Jun 3 Film review: 'Paralytic'

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

For better or worse, this page-turner of a movie that resorts to a grab bag of gimmicks to maintain its hold on the audience's attention.

'Weiner' review: A riotous, cringe-worthy & astute swipe at politics & the media
Jun 3

Jun 3 'Weiner' review: A riotous, cringe-worthy & astute swipe at politics & the media

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

The brilliance of this documentary is not just its merciless take on the scandal itself - but its entertaining and gripping behind-the-scenes look at a campaign team in constant damage control while supporting a candidate who is apparently intent on self destructing.

Film review: 'The Pistol Shrimps'
Jun 1

Jun 1 Film review: 'The Pistol Shrimps'

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

They may not dunk or go 10-for-10 from behind the arc, but these athletes are serious about basketball and they absolutely ball hard.

Film review: 'Finding Babel'
Jun 1

Jun 1 Film review: 'Finding Babel'

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

This somber and haunting documentary offers an evocative look back at Isaac Babel, an acclaimed artist that also serves as a cautionary tale for the modern world.

Interview: 'Finding Babel' director David Novack
Jun 1

Jun 1 Interview: 'Finding Babel' director David Novack

Paul Carlson
interviews, film festivals

Despite the fact that the Russian playwright, journalist and author has been dead for more than 75 years, filmmaker David Novack believes Babel is as relevant today as he was in the 1920s.

'Kedi' movie review: Compelling, satisfying look at the lives of street cats
May 28

May 28 'Kedi' movie review: Compelling, satisfying look at the lives of street cats

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

First and foremost, this documentary about cats isn't merely for cat people. 

'Love & Friendship' review: Jane Austen's hilariously barbed, witty comedy
May 27

May 27 'Love & Friendship' review: Jane Austen's hilariously barbed, witty comedy

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

Although this may not be among Jane Austen’s best known works, this adaptation is arguably the strongest translation of Austen to the cinema yet.

SIFF 2016 interview: 'If There's a Hell Below' director Nathan Williams
May 26

May 26 SIFF 2016 interview: 'If There's a Hell Below' director Nathan Williams

Paul Carlson
interviews, film festivals

Director Nathan Williams discusses why he filmed his dramatic thriller in the desolate stretches of Washington state.

'The Last King' review: Part history lesson, part thrilling action adventure
May 21

May 21 'The Last King' review: Part history lesson, part thrilling action adventure

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

The origin of Haakon IV of Norway is the stuff of legend. The story is every bit extraordinary as it is unbelievable

Review: 'Full Court' is a candid, inspiring look at the life of Spencer Haywood
May 21

May 21 Review: 'Full Court' is a candid, inspiring look at the life of Spencer Haywood

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

This inspiring and candid documentary takes a strong case why every true student of basketball should know the name Spencer Haywood.

'Café Society' review: Kristen Stewart shines in breezy Woody Allen rom-com
May 20

May 20 'Café Society' review: Kristen Stewart shines in breezy Woody Allen rom-com

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

Woody Allen's latest comedy is breezy and entertaining romp through the glitz of old Hollywood.

2016 Seattle International Film Festival capsule movie reviews
May 19

May 19 2016 Seattle International Film Festival capsule movie reviews

Paul Carlson
film reviews
'High-Rise' film review: Class warfare themes lost amid thin plot, characters
May 19

May 19 'High-Rise' film review: Class warfare themes lost amid thin plot, characters

Paul Carlson
film reviews

While its cynical insights into modernity are intriguing (if obvious), this film is a little too scatterbrained to deliver its ambitious damning indictment against social elitism.

'Captain America: Civil War' review: Fun, dramatic battle between allies
May 5

May 5 'Captain America: Civil War' review: Fun, dramatic battle between allies

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Make no mistake, this is not merely some sort of half-baked "Avengers 2.5."

Movie review: 'Papa: Hemingway in Cuba'
Apr 29

Apr 29 Movie review: 'Papa: Hemingway in Cuba'

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The gradual unravelling of Ernest Hemingway set against the Cuban revolution deserves a better film treatment than this clunky and deeply troubled docudrama.

'Mother's Day' review: A-list cast can't save uninspired, sappy & lazy mess
Apr 29

Apr 29 'Mother's Day' review: A-list cast can't save uninspired, sappy & lazy mess

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Director Garry Marshall's latest ensemble comedy is a terribly flawed movie -- but it has one critical and fundamental flaw: it is simply not funny.

Review: Adorable cat & hilarious comic duo keep 'Keanu' a delightful comedy
Apr 29

Apr 29 Review: Adorable cat & hilarious comic duo keep 'Keanu' a delightful comedy

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This pretty funny comedy lacks the wall-to-wall absurdity of the duo's sketch show - but it retains just enough of their outlandish humor to distinguish itself from so many other bland action comedies.

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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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