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

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  • Paul Carlson
Escape Into Film
'Superman' film review: Buoyant, exciting and clunky summer comic book romp
Jul 10

Jul 10 'Superman' film review: Buoyant, exciting and clunky summer comic book romp

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Hopeful, idealistic and entertaining, the Man of Steel soars into cinemas in an exciting, if cluttered, reboot of DC's movies.

'Jurassic World Rebirth' film review: Time to let the franchise go extinct
Jul 2

Jul 2 'Jurassic World Rebirth' film review: Time to let the franchise go extinct

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Lacking the wonder of the original 'Jurassic Park' or even the focus of the maligned 'Jurassic Park III,' this latest walk in the park is a fetch quest filled with thin characters running from monsters.

'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' film review: Relentlessly paced three-hour mission (maybe?)  wraps up the incredible action series
May 23

May 23 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' film review: Relentlessly paced three-hour mission (maybe?) wraps up the incredible action series

Paul Carlson
film reviews

After nearly three decades of overcoming outrageously ludicrous obstacles, IMF agent Ethan Hunt embarks on a mission that feels like the culmination of all his adventures.

'Thunderbolts*' film review: Not the heroes the MCU deserves - but the heroes the MCU needs right now
May 1

May 1 'Thunderbolts*' film review: Not the heroes the MCU deserves - but the heroes the MCU needs right now

Paul Carlson
film reviews

After string of inconsistent Marvel flicks since 'Endgame,' it's kinda perfect that a team of second-tier non-heroes would refocus the MCU.

'Drop' film review: Claustrophobic, intense & fun first-date gone wrong flick
Apr 11

Apr 11 'Drop' film review: Claustrophobic, intense & fun first-date gone wrong flick

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Part mystery and part bad-first date flick, this suspense thriller is another Blumhouse gem.

'Death of a Unicorn' film review: Alleged horror-comedy is light on scares or laughs
Mar 28

Mar 28 'Death of a Unicorn' film review: Alleged horror-comedy is light on scares or laughs

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega must survive the night after they accidentally run over a unicorn - and unleash the mythical animal’s fury.

'Daredevil: Born Again' - Complete season 1 review
Mar 4

Mar 4 'Daredevil: Born Again' - Complete season 1 review

Paul Carlson
tv series reviews

The Man Without Fear makes his long-awaited official return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

'Captain America: Brave New World' film review: Cap sequel that feels more like a Hulk sequel
Feb 14

Feb 14 'Captain America: Brave New World' film review: Cap sequel that feels more like a Hulk sequel

Paul Carlson
film reviews

New Cap: Sam Wilson. Same mission: save the world.

'Dogman' film review: Woof.
Jan 31

Jan 31 'Dogman' film review: Woof.

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Kids movies are generally held by a lower standard - but even with these lowered expectations this adaptation of the popular kids books is confusing.

'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' film review: Frenetic, kinetic, silly, heartfelt & fun ride kicks series into overdrive
Dec 20

Dec 20 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' film review: Frenetic, kinetic, silly, heartfelt & fun ride kicks series into overdrive

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The iconic blue blur returns to save the day against foes old and new.

'Moana 2' film review: Sequel discovers the heart of exploration
Nov 27

Nov 27 'Moana 2' film review: Sequel discovers the heart of exploration

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Breaking free from the isolation of her home island, the intrepid, sea faring explorer sets sail beyond in this sequel.

'Wicked' film review: Erivo, Grande delight in this Wicked Witch of the West origin story
Nov 21

Nov 21 'Wicked' film review: Erivo, Grande delight in this Wicked Witch of the West origin story

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Based on the acclaimed Broadway musical, 'Wicked' is an enthralling cinema experience worthy of the biggest screen possible.

'Venom: The Last Dance' film review: Tom Hardy's brain-eating anti-hero takes a bow
Oct 24

Oct 24 'Venom: The Last Dance' film review: Tom Hardy's brain-eating anti-hero takes a bow

Paul Carlson
film reviews

A rushed and messy flick is simply a finale with two left feet stumbling across the finish line.

'Saturday Night' film review: Love letter for SNL fans
Oct 11

Oct 11 'Saturday Night' film review: Love letter for SNL fans

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Before Saturday Night Live became a late-night institution, it was just an edgy experiment.

'Joker: Folie à Deux' film review: Iconic villain's encore is a pointless slog
Oct 4

Oct 4 'Joker: Folie à Deux' film review: Iconic villain's encore is a pointless slog

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Folie à Deux literally translates into English as 'madness of two.' This is an apt name for the foolish decision to make a second 'Joker' movie.

'Deadpool & Wolverine' film review: Marvel's most hardcore heroes are here to save the MCU
Jul 25

Jul 25 'Deadpool & Wolverine' film review: Marvel's most hardcore heroes are here to save the MCU

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The Merc with a Mouth finally joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe and brings along one of Marvel's biggest characters in this raucously hilarious and violent romp.

'Twisters' film review: Not quite a category five blockbuster - but still a fun summer flick
Jul 19

Jul 19 'Twisters' film review: Not quite a category five blockbuster - but still a fun summer flick

Paul Carlson
film reviews

A solid trio of main characters power the fun summer disaster sequel.

'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' film review: Unearthing the fury within Furiosa
May 24

May 24 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' film review: Unearthing the fury within Furiosa

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The action-packed, trauma-fueled revenge prequel reveals how industrious young Furiosa became a trusted and battle hardened Imperator in the wasteland.

'The Garfield Movie' film review: Puurrrr-fect light comedy flick for kiddos
May 24

May 24 'The Garfield Movie' film review: Puurrrr-fect light comedy flick for kiddos

Paul Carlson
film reviews

The lasagna loving, Monday hating cat’s latest movie throws him into a heist comedy.

'The Fall Guy' film review: Gosling, Blunt shine in this explosion of stunts, laughs
May 3

May 3 'The Fall Guy' film review: Gosling, Blunt shine in this explosion of stunts, laughs

Paul Carlson
film reviews

Humor and action power this full-throated ode to stunt performers.

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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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