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

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  • Paul Carlson
Escape Into Film
'Banana Split' film review: Sharp comedy upends the unwritten rules for dating, friendship
May 23

May 23 'Banana Split' film review: Sharp comedy upends the unwritten rules for dating, friendship

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

A tired trope of every teen flick is the girl loathing her ex-boyfriend's current girlfriend. This refreshing and hilarious “chicks before dicks” comedy dares to ask "what if they didn’t totally hate each other?"

'John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum' film review: Once fresh franchise shows its age
May 17

May 17 'John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum' film review: Once fresh franchise shows its age

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The latest in this bullet-crazed series hits the ground running and doesn't take a break. This is as much the film's strength as it is its weakness.

'International Falls' film review: Wry comedy mines melancholic laughs from existential sadness
May 14

May 14 'International Falls' film review: Wry comedy mines melancholic laughs from existential sadness

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

The stark, snow-laden Minnesota winter is the perfect backdrop for this pair of depressed adults to ruminate about their lives lived in quiet desperation.

'Sprinter' film review: Universal sports drama told with a uniquely Jamaican voice
May 13

May 13 'Sprinter' film review: Universal sports drama told with a uniquely Jamaican voice

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

A story of a teen trying to join a track team is pretty straightforward - however, this sports drama focuses more on a young phenom's sudden fame, and what it means for him and his aspirations.

2019 Seattle International Film Festival capsule movie reviews
May 13

May 13 2019 Seattle International Film Festival capsule movie reviews

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

Bite-sized movie reviews of films screening at SIFF 2019.

'Her Smell' film review: Moss rocks as fading star on tail end of fame
May 9

May 9 'Her Smell' film review: Moss rocks as fading star on tail end of fame

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Elisabeth Moss channels the worst parts of every "E! True Hollywood Story" ever.

'Frances Ferguson' film review:  Bone-dry comedy explores the prison of marriage
May 7

May 7 'Frances Ferguson' film review: Bone-dry comedy explores the prison of marriage

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

Most prison and crime films are stories of redemption or atonement. Not this acerbic comedy.

'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.

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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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