Category Archives: Newer films

Four Quick Takes–The Lego Movie, Her, 20 Feet from Stardom, Enough Said

Posted on March 8, 2014 by Mark DuPré

Four Quick Takes I recently saw four films, all which I can recommend, though with a reservation here and there. Two won Oscars; one might. The Lego Movie Exhausting and non-stop. But clever and full of adult humor as well. … Continue reading →

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August: Osage County

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Mark DuPré

August: Osage County, a terribly named film based on the slightly less poorly named play of the same name, recalls American Hustle. It overflows with talented actors acting up a storm in a cinematic structure that can’t contain them. Except … Continue reading →

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Nebraska

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Mark DuPré

Nebraska tells the story of an old man, Woody Grant (Bruce Dern), wanting to get from Billings, Montana to Lincoln, Nebraska to claim the so-called million-dollar prize he thinks he has won in the mail in one of those magazine … Continue reading →

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12 Years a Slave

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Mark DuPré

Simply put, 12 Years a Slave is the best film of the year, for a myriad of reasons. I’m even more impressed after the second viewing. It’s beautifully shot, with nearly pitch-perfect acting, and a rhythm all its own. Perhaps … Continue reading →

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Philomena

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Mark DuPré

In the midst of noise, overused special effects and all that Oscar bait sits Philomena, a small-to-medium sized film of great talent, beautiful moments, some confusing turns and the inimitable Judi Dench. Philomena tells the true story of a woman … Continue reading →

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American Hustle

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Mark DuPré

In some ways, American Hustle reminded me of Joe Wright’s 2012 version of Anna Karenina. Wright burst onto the international scene with a thoughtful and wildly entertaining Pride and Prejudice in 2005, followed by 2007’s Atonement, which was occasionally too … Continue reading →

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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Mark DuPré

The good news is that this middle film of the trilogy is a great improvement over The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Director Peter Jackson has forsaken, thankfully, his use of 48-frames-per-second, which created a plastic, video look to the sets, … Continue reading →

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Saving Mr. Banks

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Mark DuPré

Saving Mr. Banks is the story of the creative tug of war between Walt Disney and P.L. Travers, the author and protector of Mary Poppins, which Disney had tried to turn into a film for nearly two decades. It’s soft … Continue reading →

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The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Posted on December 14, 2013 by Mark DuPré

Yes, it’s true. The second in the series is a better film than the first. It’s leaner, tougher and grittier—the elements the first lacked to its detriment. And yes, it helps if you have seen the first one. (In fact, … Continue reading →

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Gravity

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Mark DuPré

In spite of its financial and critical success, Gravity isn’t the best film of the year. We have a few months to go, but right now Captain Phillips holds that place. Yet there is nothing in all of film that … Continue reading →

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