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

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  • Paul Carlson
Escape Into Film
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.

'Spencer' film review: Kristen Stewart makes her claim for Best Actress
Nov 4

Nov 4 'Spencer' film review: Kristen Stewart makes her claim for Best Actress

Paul Carlson
film reviews

A stunning lead performance anchors this impressionistic psychodrama following the iconic Princess of Wales chafing against domineering life in the Royal Family.

'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.

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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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