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

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  • Paul Carlson
Escape Into Film
'Molly's Game' film review: Sorkin was born to write for badass Chastain
Dec 22

Dec 22 'Molly's Game' film review: Sorkin was born to write for badass Chastain

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

The combination of an outright badass lead performance and a sharply-honed Aaron Sorkin screenplay makes this biographical drama one of most entertaining films of the season.

'Call Me by Your Name' film review: Fraudulent 'love' story mistakes lust for romance
Dec 21

Dec 21 'Call Me by Your Name' film review: Fraudulent 'love' story mistakes lust for romance

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Beautiful performances and eloquent backdrop are wasted on a love story ... that forgets to establish two characters in love.

'Downsizing' film review: The stupidest 'smart' film of the year
Dec 20

Dec 20 'Downsizing' film review: The stupidest 'smart' film of the year

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Ideas alone do not equate to great stories. This hollow, high-concept slog is propped up by a meager peppering of intriguing conceits and supported by virtually nothing resembling storytelling.

12 head-scratching flaws in 'The Last Jedi'
Dec 18

Dec 18 12 head-scratching flaws in 'The Last Jedi'

Paul Carlson

The most divisive ‘Star Wars’ movie is also riddled with ridiculous mistakes or gaffes that only a blindly loyal apologist can accept.

'The Shape of Water' film review: 'Splash' is a more convincing fantasy-love story
Dec 14

Dec 14 'The Shape of Water' film review: 'Splash' is a more convincing fantasy-love story

Paul Carlson

Do not be fooled by the eloquent score, the beautiful production value or even an admittedly remarkable lead performance - this is a mess masquerading as a dark and fantastical tribute to love.

'Loving Vincent' film review: A bold, eye-popping tribute to the Dutch master
Dec 13

Dec 13 'Loving Vincent' film review: A bold, eye-popping tribute to the Dutch master

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Bold and visually stunning, this animated masterpiece is a breathtaking and audacious impressionistic tribute to the famed Dutch artist.

'Faces Places' film review: Lyrical exploration of everyday people & visionary artists
Dec 8

Dec 8 'Faces Places' film review: Lyrical exploration of everyday people & visionary artists

Paul Carlson
film reviews

A surprisingly touching journey to capture easily overlooked profundity from the deceptively mundane trappings of daily life.

'Summer 1993' film review: Intimate & tender portrait of childhood, grieving
Dec 7

Dec 7 'Summer 1993' film review: Intimate & tender portrait of childhood, grieving

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

This unpretentious vignette of genuine, melodrama-free moments is an authentic exploration of mourning and starting anew.

'The Post' film review: Streep, Hanks shine in this battle for the free press
Dec 6

Dec 6 'The Post' film review: Streep, Hanks shine in this battle for the free press

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Sometimes greatness is saying what needs to be said when it is imperative to say it. Spielberg's latest is his best film in decades and a timely celebration of hard journalism.

'Jane' film review: Amazing, complete portrait of pioneering scientist Jane Goodall
Dec 3

Dec 3 'Jane' film review: Amazing, complete portrait of pioneering scientist Jane Goodall

Paul Carlson
film reviews

A breathtaking story in her own words with her own footage - that of a fresh-faced researcher dealing with the challenges of her groundbreaking studies as well as the demands of her roles as a wife and mother.

'The Disaster Artist' film review: Franco finds a kindred spirit in a misguided visionary
Dec 1

Dec 1 'The Disaster Artist' film review: Franco finds a kindred spirit in a misguided visionary

Paul Carlson
film reviews

James Franco's magnum opus celebrates and pokes fun at the best "worst" film ever made.

'Thelma' film review: Norway's haunting, tense horror offering
Nov 30

Nov 30 'Thelma' film review: Norway's haunting, tense horror offering

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

This is a slow burn of a psychological horror flick - one that hints at a darkness within its guileless protagonist.

'Wonder Wheel' film review: Winslet shines in Allen's latest
Nov 30

Nov 30 'Wonder Wheel' film review: Winslet shines in Allen's latest

Paul Carlson
film reviews

While not among Woody Allen's worst films, "Wonder Wheel" is far from his strongest offering. 

'Last Flag Flying' film review: Meditation on war & duty nearly derailed by filler, banter
Nov 16

Nov 16 'Last Flag Flying' film review: Meditation on war & duty nearly derailed by filler, banter

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The disappointment of this melancholic meditation on duty and sacrifice is its thoughtful moments are almost lost in a meandering story riddled with questionable plot choices, stuffed into a movie that is longer than it should be.

'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' film review: McDormand shines in this decidedly angry ride
Nov 16

Nov 16 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' film review: McDormand shines in this decidedly angry ride

Paul Carlson
film reviews

It is strange to laud a film's strong performances, sharp screenplay and confident direction - and still not love the film as a whole.

'Hostiles' film review: Unromantic Western grounded in Bale's strong performance
Nov 16

Nov 16 'Hostiles' film review: Unromantic Western grounded in Bale's strong performance

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

Set against the lawless American frontier and powered by a commanding lead turn, this Western drama examines the emotional toll war and violence has on soldiers and those caught in the crossfire of battle.

'Murder on the Orient Express' movie review: Feel free to miss this train
Nov 10

Nov 10 'Murder on the Orient Express' movie review: Feel free to miss this train

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The only real mystery is how this whodunnit devolved into something so unsatisfying. 

'Lady Bird' film review: Greta Gerwig's coming-of-age winner
Nov 9

Nov 9 'Lady Bird' film review: Greta Gerwig's coming-of-age winner

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The beautifully, painfully and universally relatable indie winner is a handcrafted time capsule and a winning directorial debut.

'Thor: Ragnarok' movie review: Marvel's Irreverent & fun space romp
Nov 3

Nov 3 'Thor: Ragnarok' movie review: Marvel's Irreverent & fun space romp

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The lastest 'Thor' adventure reboots the franchise with an injecting of humor and redefining the franchise's core mythology.

'Tragedy Girls' movie review: A wry, hilarious social media fueled bloodbath
Nov 3

Nov 3 'Tragedy Girls' movie review: A wry, hilarious social media fueled bloodbath

Paul Carlson
film reviews

'Heathers' meets 'Clueless' meets every slasher ever in this outrageously dark and hilariously violent comedy.

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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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