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

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  • Paul Carlson
Escape Into Film
'The Souvenir: Part II' film review: Meta sequel explores catharsis through art
Nov 4

Nov 4 'The Souvenir: Part II' film review: Meta sequel explores catharsis through art

Paul Carlson
film reviews

This understated and quietly extraordinary drama masterfully articulates the elusive journey of self discovery and reconciling grief.

'Eternals' film review: Chloé Zhao's sweeping, introspective superhero take defies superhero formula
Nov 4

Nov 4 'Eternals' film review: Chloé Zhao's sweeping, introspective superhero take defies superhero formula

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Thematically ambitious & grand in scale, this sweeping comic book adventure is a ponderous Marvel flick that challenges the Marvel template.

'The French Dispatch' film review:  The 'Wes Anderson' tone at its most insufferable & off-putting
Oct 19

Oct 19 'The French Dispatch' film review: The 'Wes Anderson' tone at its most insufferable & off-putting

Paul Carlson
film reviews

A gross parody of every Wes Anderson idiosyncrasy with an aggressively quirky comedic drama which was written and directed by ... Wes Anderson.

'Halloween Kills' film review: Follow-up to re-energized 2018 reboot ... is an ordinary, if bloody, slasher
Oct 14

Oct 14 'Halloween Kills' film review: Follow-up to re-energized 2018 reboot ... is an ordinary, if bloody, slasher

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The latest Michael Myers killing spree is an alleged horror thriller that is neither scary nor thrilling.

'Dune' film review: Sweeping, grand ... plodding & incomplete setup for a sci-fi epic
Oct 12

Oct 12 'Dune' film review: Sweeping, grand ... plodding & incomplete setup for a sci-fi epic

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The long-awaited remake is simultaneously a must-see cinematic experience ... that's also just the opening act of a sci-fi epic.

'Lamb' film review: Maria had a little lamb ... and raised it as a human
Oct 8

Oct 8 'Lamb' film review: Maria had a little lamb ... and raised it as a human

Paul Carlson
film reviews

A childless couple raise a baby with a human body and the head of a barnyard animal in this refreshing, if plodding horror drama.

'No Time to Die' film review: Final curtain drops on the Daniel Craig-007 era
Oct 7

Oct 7 'No Time to Die' film review: Final curtain drops on the Daniel Craig-007 era

Paul Carlson
film reviews

A fitting & thrilling conclusion for this generation’s James Bond.

'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' film review: The silly & weirdly charming monster romance no one expected
Sep 30

Sep 30 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' film review: The silly & weirdly charming monster romance no one expected

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Tom Hardy goes all-in with the bonkers body horror superhero monster flick - a movie that, at its weird core, is a break-up rom-com.

'The Many Saints of Newark' film review: Prequel richly fills in 'Sopranos' backstory
Sep 30

Sep 30 'The Many Saints of Newark' film review: Prequel richly fills in 'Sopranos' backstory

Paul Carlson
film reviews

A long-overdue, welcome return to Satriale's.

'Dear Evan Hansen' film review: Mental health drama, suicide musical is a confusing misfire
Sep 23

Sep 23 'Dear Evan Hansen' film review: Mental health drama, suicide musical is a confusing misfire

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Nice kid/imposter lies to a grieving family, gets the sister of a suicide victim and scores a ton of social clout. This is a weird movie.

TIFF 2021 film review: 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye'
Sep 17

Sep 17 TIFF 2021 film review: 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

Jessica Chastain's transformative, wholehearted performance buoys an otherwise mediocre biopic.

TIFF 2021 film review: 'The Starling'
Sep 14

Sep 14 TIFF 2021 film review: 'The Starling'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

A bereaved mother works through her grief by trying to kill a bird in this ham-handed dramedy.

TIFF 2021 film review: 'The Guilty'
Sep 14

Sep 14 TIFF 2021 film review: 'The Guilty'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

Jake Gyllenhaal's gripping performance energizes the U.S. adaptation of this claustrophobic thriller.

TIFF 2021 film review: 'The Humans'
Sep 14

Sep 14 TIFF 2021 film review: 'The Humans'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

Slice-of-life drama offers a piercing snapshot of a modern family's anxieties and presents a thoughtful rumination of the American Dream.

TIFF 2021 film review: 'Encounter'
Sep 12

Sep 12 TIFF 2021 film review: 'Encounter'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

A desperate father tries to rescue his estranged sons in this sci-fi thriller mystery.

TIFF 2021 film review: 'The Power of the Dog'
Sep 12

Sep 12 TIFF 2021 film review: 'The Power of the Dog'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

Sibling rivalry and self-loathing power this coiled Western set against the stark Montana prairie.

TIFF 2021 film review: 'The Story of My Wife'
Sep 12

Sep 12 TIFF 2021 film review: 'The Story of My Wife'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

No film needs nearly three hours to lay out why an impulsive wedding made on a dare would somehow result in a struggling marriage.

TIFF 2021 film review: 'Violet'
Sep 12

Sep 12 TIFF 2021 film review: 'Violet'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

Justine Bateman’s psychological thriller speaks directly to anyone who has ever felt like a failure trapped by fears.

TIFF 2021 film review: 'All My Puny Sorrows'
Sep 12

Sep 12 TIFF 2021 film review: 'All My Puny Sorrows'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

Two sisters grapple with generational depression and the lingering pall of suicide.

TIFF 2021 film review: 'Petite Maman'
Sep 11

Sep 11 TIFF 2021 film review: 'Petite Maman'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

A little girl grieves the loss of her grandmother and emotional isolation from her mother in Céline Sciamma's latest drama.

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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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