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

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  • Paul Carlson
Escape Into Film
'Avengers: Infinity War' film review (SPOILERS)
Apr 29

Apr 29 'Avengers: Infinity War' film review (SPOILERS)

Paul Carlson
film reviews

A spoiler-filled review of the film every Marvel Film has been leading toward. Here be spoilers.

(NO SPOILERS) 'Avengers: Infinity War' film review: How to pay off a sprawling, massive franchise
Apr 27

Apr 27 (NO SPOILERS) 'Avengers: Infinity War' film review: How to pay off a sprawling, massive franchise

Paul Carlson
film reviews

A decade of films have laid the groundwork and built up the expectations.

'The Endless' film review: Refreshing sci-fi thriller satisfies patient viewers
Apr 26

Apr 26 'The Endless' film review: Refreshing sci-fi thriller satisfies patient viewers

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The indie science-fiction horror flick is a journey deeper and deeper into a seemingly tranquil commune’s warped nightmare.

'You Were Never Really Here' film review: Bold, subversive thriller upends action genre
Apr 20

Apr 20 'You Were Never Really Here' film review: Bold, subversive thriller upends action genre

Paul Carlson
film reviews

If you took an action flick and accentuated all the quiet, humane moments between bloody fight sequences, the result would be this innovative mystery-thriller.

'Gemini' film review: Moody Hollywood thriller is style over substance
Apr 13

Apr 13 'Gemini' film review: Moody Hollywood thriller is style over substance

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The moody crime thriller has all the hallmarks of a story that probably would have been better suited as a short film.

'A Quiet Place' film review: Sound is the enemy in this emotionally draining thriller
Apr 8

Apr 8 'A Quiet Place' film review: Sound is the enemy in this emotionally draining thriller

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Go into the film cold -- know as little as possible about the premise going into the theater. Just know this is one of the great cinematic experiences of the year.

'Itzhak' film review: Meet the husband, the artist behind the violin
Apr 5

Apr 5 'Itzhak' film review: Meet the husband, the artist behind the violin

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This intimate portrait of world renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman offers a warm look at the enthusiastic artist.

'All I Wish' film review: Sharon Stone deserves better than this tepid rom-com
Mar 29

Mar 29 'All I Wish' film review: Sharon Stone deserves better than this tepid rom-com

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The Sharon Stone dramatic-comedy is a string of clunky chapters bundled together by an uninspired gimmick. 

'Ready Player One' film review: Love letter to nostalgia is a pop culture-infused ride
Mar 26

Mar 26 'Ready Player One' film review: Love letter to nostalgia is a pop culture-infused ride

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Fans of all things '80s rejoice! Spielberg's adaptation is a kinetic and nostalgia-drenched valentine to Easter eggs and pop culture.

'Flower' film review: Dark twists, sharp wit can't save this wilted clunker
Mar 23

Mar 23 'Flower' film review: Dark twists, sharp wit can't save this wilted clunker

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Categorizing this indie flick "Flower" is difficult - mostly because this film simply cannot decide what it is or where its story is going.

'Unsane' film review: Soderbergh's experimental shot-on-an-iPhone psycho horror
Mar 20

Mar 20 'Unsane' film review: Soderbergh's experimental shot-on-an-iPhone psycho horror

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Steven Soderbergh's unorthodox psychological horror is a deeply engaging thriller -- until the mystery is deflated way too early.

'Tater Tot & Patton' film review: An unassuming, atmospheric indie winner
Mar 13

Mar 13 'Tater Tot & Patton' film review: An unassuming, atmospheric indie winner

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

A pair of stand-out lead performances and a nuanced screenplay highlight this melancholic and deliberately-paced indie drama.

'A Wrinkle in Time' film review: A rushed, messy CGI-heavy fantasy misfire
Mar 7

Mar 7 'A Wrinkle in Time' film review: A rushed, messy CGI-heavy fantasy misfire

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Given the erratic and jarring nature of this adaptation, the source material must be nigh unfilmable. Cramming all the world-building, heady metaphysical themes and astrophysics simply results in a movie that, at best, feels rushed and at worst, is ham-handed and clunky.

'Annihilation' film review: Esoteric, unconventional flick underwhelms
Feb 22

Feb 22 'Annihilation' film review: Esoteric, unconventional flick underwhelms

Paul Carlson
film reviews

There are films that achieve the fragile dream-like experience - then there are films that force approximations of the surreal. This sci-fi thriller is the latter.

'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.

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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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