Category Archives: Newer films

Lee Daniels’ The Butler

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Mark DuPré

Lee Daniels’ The Butler is nearly a critic-proof film. Its subject matter—a real-life butler who served a number of presidents in the White House—has been tied inextricably into the greater battle for civil rights for African-Americans. That’s the source of … Continue reading →

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The Wolverine

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Mark DuPré

Full disclosure: I’m not a comic book geek, nor a superhero fan, and not even a particular fan of the popular Wolverine character. So maybe that’s what accounts for a rather tepid response to this film, an admittedly superior film … Continue reading →

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Fruitvale Station

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Mark DuPré

Yes, a star is born. There are plenty of good reasons to see and experience Fruitvale Station. But perhaps the greatest pleasure is watching the birth of a star—Michael B. Jordan. The film, a favorite at Cannes and Sundance, is … Continue reading →

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World War Z

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Mark DuPré

Mash-ups have often been fun diversions. Think of music mash-ups such as “Happy Days are Here Again” with “Get Happy,” or any number of more modern ones (watch more than one episode of Glee and you’ll see at least one.) … Continue reading →

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Quartet

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Mark DuPré

Quartet is a pleasant diversion, and will be remembered mainly as Oscar-winning actor Dustin’s Hoffman’s first (only?) directorial effort. Young people will stay away from it in droves, as it concerns a group of classical musicians who live in a … Continue reading →

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Man of Steel

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Mark DuPré

Man of Steel is nowhere near as bad as some of the critics have said. Yes, it’s too long by a good 25 minutes, and the action scenes/fights are nearly endless and almost pointless. But as a reboot of the … Continue reading →

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Iron Man 3

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Mark DuPré

Not a lot to say here. It’s better than the second, not as good as the first. The story feels a bit musty and yesterday, with the enigmatic Bin Laden-esque villain. Tony Stark’s post-Avengers Stress Disorder is somewhat hokey, and … Continue reading →

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The Great Gatsby

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Mark DuPré

As any of my film students could tell you (most likely with eyes rolled back as they remembered the lesson), the last stage in the development of a genre is the parodic/baroque stage. That’s the stage where the key elements … Continue reading →

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To the Wonder

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Mark DuPré

Almost no one is going to see To the Wonder, Terrence Malick’s newest film, winner of last year’s Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival. That is sad, as Malick is unique in American cinema. Expectations were high after … Continue reading →

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42

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Mark DuPré

42 is the story of Jackie Robinson, baseball’s first black major league player. It’s what the critics used to call a “movie-movie,” and it’s touching, beautifully photographed, covered in a layer of honey both visually and narratively, and not quite … Continue reading →

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