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

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  • Paul Carlson
Escape Into Film
'Pokémon: Detective Pikachu' film review: A vibrant & silly noir mystery
May 6

May 6 'Pokémon: Detective Pikachu' film review: A vibrant & silly noir mystery

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Basic rule of movies: video game adaptations do not work. Thankfully, the creators of this noir-mystery crafted a fun adventure that will satiate the most ardent Pokémon fan - as well as the blissfully ignorant parents dragged along for the ride.

The case for permanent death in the MCU
Apr 27

Apr 27 The case for permanent death in the MCU

Paul Carlson

In comic books, death is not permanent - but one major “Avengers: Endgame” death must be forever.

'Avengers: Endgame' spoiler-free film review: Stirring, epic finale for Marvel's mightiest heroes
Apr 25

Apr 25 'Avengers: Endgame' spoiler-free film review: Stirring, epic finale for Marvel's mightiest heroes

Paul Carlson
film reviews

More than a decade ago, Marvel embarked on an ambitious plan: establish beloved superheroes and create a cinematic universe — all leading to the once-in-a-generation epic.

'Family' film review: Schilling anchors this heartfelt, hilarious comedy
Apr 25

Apr 25 'Family' film review: Schilling anchors this heartfelt, hilarious comedy

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This charmer of a character study centered on self-acceptance is not something one would expect to culminate at the Gathering of the Juggalos.

'Us' film review: Peele's 'Get Out' follow-up chills, disturbs
Mar 22

Mar 22 'Us' film review: Peele's 'Get Out' follow-up chills, disturbs

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Writer-director Jordan Peele affirms place among truly visionary filmmakers of the modern era with his latest psychological horror thriller.

'Oscar Nominated Shorts 2019: Live Action' film reviews
Feb 7

Feb 7 'Oscar Nominated Shorts 2019: Live Action' film reviews

Paul Carlson
film reviews

While everyone is cramming in all the feature-length films nominated for Academy Awards, the annual live-action sorts showcase is here for all the Oscar completists.

'Serenity' film review: Lazy, pointless plot twist sinks iffy thriller
Feb 4

Feb 4 'Serenity' film review: Lazy, pointless plot twist sinks iffy thriller

Paul Carlson
film reviews

An ill-conceived big plot reveal eclipses the many failings of a supposed noir drama.

'Special Bulletin' film review: '80s take on news, nuclear arms as timely as ever
Jan 29

Jan 29 'Special Bulletin' film review: '80s take on news, nuclear arms as timely as ever

Paul Carlson

Innovative, thought-provoking and intense, this made-for-TV flick completely immerses the audience in an all-too-real scenario, interwoven with critiques of nuclear weapons and press ethics.

Retro film review: 'Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas' will make you hate Christmas
Jan 28

Jan 28 Retro film review: 'Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas' will make you hate Christmas

Paul Carlson

Make no mistake, this is a sermon disguised as a movie.

'Hale County This Morning, This Evening' film review: Evocative, slice-of-life poetry
Jan 24

Jan 24 'Hale County This Morning, This Evening' film review: Evocative, slice-of-life poetry

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Mesmerizing, impressionistic and intimate documentary mosaic of small moments forms an evocative portrait of life in the very Deep South.

'Dragon Ball Super: Broly' film review: Iconic anime returns with its best film yet
Jan 21

Jan 21 'Dragon Ball Super: Broly' film review: Iconic anime returns with its best film yet

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Rejoice fans old and new: Goku’s latest big screen adventure is his best standalone movie yet (impressive for a 30-year-old series).

'Glass' film review: Cracks form in the 'Unbreakable' trilogy finale
Jan 18

Jan 18 'Glass' film review: Cracks form in the 'Unbreakable' trilogy finale

Paul Carlson

While it never quite matches the heroic highs or chilling terror of its predecessors, this is an OK if sadly flawed conclusion to a franchise rooted in belief.

'If Beale Street Could Talk' film review: An elegant tone poem of love realized on film
Dec 21

Dec 21 'If Beale Street Could Talk' film review: An elegant tone poem of love realized on film

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Barry Jenkins's romantic drama is not merely a love story - it’s a story of acts of love.

'Mary Poppins Returns' film review: A familiar, heartfelt spoonful of sugar
Dec 12

Dec 12 'Mary Poppins Returns' film review: A familiar, heartfelt spoonful of sugar

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This faithful sequel is powered by a leading performance worthy of the beloved Disney classic.

'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' film review: Amazing. Spectacular. Sensational. Superior.
Dec 12

Dec 12 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' film review: Amazing. Spectacular. Sensational. Superior.

Paul Carlson

This electrifying and game-changing flips the Spider-Man formula entirely for a film that's every bit a celebration of the wall-crawling hero as it is a work of pure entertainment.

2018 Seattle Film Critics Society awards nominees
Dec 10

Dec 10 2018 Seattle Film Critics Society awards nominees

Paul Carlson

From the critics group that nominated the goat from ‘The Witch’ as Best Villain in 2016 and correctly bestowed the Best Picture of 2017 title to ‘Get Out,’ here are the SFCS nominees for 2018!

'Roma' film review: A sublimely intimate epic
Dec 5

Dec 5 'Roma' film review: A sublimely intimate epic

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Alfonso Cuarón’s quietly heartbreaking drama is an epic on the most personal scale.

'Boy Erased' film review: Well-intentioned, heavy handed & predictable.
Nov 7

Nov 7 'Boy Erased' film review: Well-intentioned, heavy handed & predictable.

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Despite a strong trio of performances, the controversial practice of gay conversion programs deserves a better film than this well-meaning film.

Film review: McCarthy & Grant prove they're the real deal in 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?'
Nov 1

Nov 1 Film review: McCarthy & Grant prove they're the real deal in 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?'

Paul Carlson
film reviews

McCarthy’s turn as an acerbic, antisocial alcoholic forger punches her ticket to award season glory.

'Suspiria' film review: Intermittently hypnotic, ultimately a boring slog
Oct 31

Oct 31 'Suspiria' film review: Intermittently hypnotic, ultimately a boring slog

Paul Carlson

The most shocking aspect of this supernatural horror flick isn't its mesmerizing or violent moments - it’s that it is so boring.

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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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