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

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  • Paul Carlson
Escape Into Film
'The Batman' film review: Pattinson channels the Caped Crusader in a gritty, grim crime epic
Mar 2

Mar 2 'The Batman' film review: Pattinson channels the Caped Crusader in a gritty, grim crime epic

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Less of a conventional "superhero flick," this crime thriller is the perfect alchemy of dropping Batman into 'Zodiac' or 'Seven.'

'Jackass Forever' film review: Knoxville & crew return for more stupid, hilarious laughs
Feb 3

Feb 3 'Jackass Forever' film review: Knoxville & crew return for more stupid, hilarious laughs

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Knoxville & crew return for another crude, disgusting, and gleefully hysterical, wince-inducing ride.

Sundance Film Festival movie review: 'A Love Song'
Jan 23

Jan 23 Sundance Film Festival movie review: 'A Love Song'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

Two old flames reunite in the twilight of their life in this down-to-Earth, gentle rumination of love & loss.

Sundance Film Festival movie review: 'Cha Cha Real Smooth'
Jan 23

Jan 23 Sundance Film Festival movie review: 'Cha Cha Real Smooth'

Paul Carlson
film reviews, film festivals

An affable if aimless twentysomething tries to figure out post-college life.

Sundance Film Festival movie review: 'Resurrection'
Jan 23

Jan 23 Sundance Film Festival movie review: 'Resurrection'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

Rebecca Hall’s performance is wasted on this bizarre, meandering psychodrama misfire.

Sundance Film Festival movie review: 'After Yang'
Jan 22

Jan 22 Sundance Film Festival movie review: 'After Yang'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

Quiet, contemplative sci-fi drama ponders humanity through the eyes of a machine.

Sundance Film Festival movie review: 'Downfall: The Case Against Boeing'
Jan 22

Jan 22 Sundance Film Festival movie review: 'Downfall: The Case Against Boeing'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

This riveting documentary draws a straight line between blind profit motive and two deadly airline crashes.

Sundance Film Festival movie review: 'Fresh'
Jan 21

Jan 21 Sundance Film Festival movie review: 'Fresh'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

Sebastian Stan charms & chills as a twisted Mr. Right in this modern dating thriller.

Sundance Film Festival movie review: 'Call Jane'
Jan 21

Jan 21 Sundance Film Festival movie review: 'Call Jane'

Paul Carlson
film festivals, film reviews

Elizabeth Banks compels as a mid-20th century woman in an impossible situation forced to go underground for a life-saving procedure.

'The 355' film review: Chastain leads the all-star, sleek & fun spy flick
Jan 7

Jan 7 'The 355' film review: Chastain leads the all-star, sleek & fun spy flick

Paul Carlson
film reviews

An A-list cast of today's best working actresses team up to kick all sorts of ass in this espionage thriller.

'The Tragedy of Macbeth' film review: Washington's commanding turn highlights a striking, no-frills adaptation
Dec 24

Dec 24 'The Tragedy of Macbeth' film review: Washington's commanding turn highlights a striking, no-frills adaptation

Paul Carlson

Stellar performances from Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand highlight the cinematic and faithful reimaging of Macbeth.

'Red Rocket' film review: Simon Rex shines as an ex-porn star trying to make a comeback
Dec 23

Dec 23 'Red Rocket' film review: Simon Rex shines as an ex-porn star trying to make a comeback

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Simon Rex's irresistibly charismatic performance anchors the best character-driven comedy of 2021.

'Licorice Pizza' film review: PTA's nostalgic valentine to first love & the '70s
Dec 22

Dec 22 'Licorice Pizza' film review: PTA's nostalgic valentine to first love & the '70s

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Paul Thomas Anderson’s throwback is a vintage coming-of-age romance in the era of bell bottoms.

'The Matrix Resurrections' film review: It’s time to unplug from the Matrix
Dec 21

Dec 21 'The Matrix Resurrections' film review: It’s time to unplug from the Matrix

Paul Carlson
film festivals

Spoiler-free review of a flaccid and boring action flick that proves the franchise should have stayed dead.

'Spider-Man: No Way Home' film review: Spectacular, sensational & amazing
Dec 14

Dec 14 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' film review: Spectacular, sensational & amazing

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Spoiler-free review of an ambitious, absolute blast that shouldn't work, yet it improbably succeeds wildly.

'Don't Look Up' film review: Wry, biting satire is somehow absurd ... and grimly grounded
Dec 9

Dec 9 'Don't Look Up' film review: Wry, biting satire is somehow absurd ... and grimly grounded

Paul Carlson
film reviews

An extinction-level existential threat to humanity isn't the scariest aspect of this seething satirical comedy.

'Benedetta' film review: 'Showgirls' director takes on a lesbian nun
Dec 3

Dec 3 'Benedetta' film review: 'Showgirls' director takes on a lesbian nun

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The real-life story of a controversial 1600s lesbian nun is investigated for heresy in this historical drama.

'Encanto' film review: Resonant, empathetic take on messy family dynamics
Nov 23

Nov 23 'Encanto' film review: Resonant, empathetic take on messy family dynamics

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Beneath the vibrant animation and magical elements, this Disney flick has a lot to say about the echoes of generational trauma.

'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' film review: Yes, bustin' still feels good
Nov 18

Nov 18 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' film review: Yes, bustin' still feels good

Paul Carlson
film reviews
'Belfast' film review: Kenneth Branagh crafts a resonant, personal memoir
Nov 10

Nov 10 'Belfast' film review: Kenneth Branagh crafts a resonant, personal memoir

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Violent conflict in Irish streets and the strains of marriage are viewed through the innocent lens of a child in this coming-of-age 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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