Category Archives: Newer films

The Descendants

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Mark DuPré

Alexander Payne, director of The Descendants, simply has to make more films. Off all the takeaways from this wonderful film, this is the probably the biggest. The Descendants is not a perfect film, but an intelligent, insightful film on a … Continue reading →

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Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Mark DuPré

First of all, don’t see this until you’ve seen Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes, AKA “the first one.” You’ll understand this one better and enjoy it a lot more. As before, the banter and relationship between Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and … Continue reading →

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Young Adult

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Mark DuPré

Alternatively darkly funny and acrid, Young Adult functions most strongly as a vehicle for a performance by a beautiful movie star who’s not afraid to be ugly on every level. Of course, Charlize Theron going ugly physically is what most … Continue reading →

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Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Mark DuPré

As sleek and shiny as the surfaces of the world’s tallest building and the suits worn by Tom Cruise (Ethan Hunt) and Jeremy Renner (Brandt). One great action sequence after another, with just enough quiet moments to catch your breath. … Continue reading →

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Take Shelter

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Mark DuPré

Take Shelter is a horror film. Or an end-of-the-world film. Or a family drama. Or a study of the ravages of mental illness on a man and his family. Or all four. Or not. If it weren’t for that ending, … Continue reading →

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50/50

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Mark DuPré

A well-acted, beautifully written small picture. It’s a dramatic comedy about a young man who has a 50/50 chance of beating cancer—based on the real-life journey of screenwriter Will Reiser. It’s on the scale of a Woody Allen movie, and … Continue reading →

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Hugo

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Mark DuPré

Entrancing, enthralling, visually stunning. A cinematic paean to the magic of movies. A film history lesson and a cry for preservation from film’s most famous preservation advocate. There is nothing out there quite like it. What’s good: the look. It … Continue reading →

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Courageous

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Mark DuPré

I have to completely let go of my professor/film critic hat when I talk about this movie. That’s OK, and it’s not just because I am a Christian or that I have a little (tiny, actually) connection with one of … Continue reading →

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The Muppets

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Mark DuPré

A rare delight. Perfect for families, and witty and fun for adults—the kind of “movie they don’t make anymore.” I wasn’t a Muppet fan, though I had nothing against them. So I went in with no feelings for or against … Continue reading →

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J. Edgar

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Mark DuPré

Ultimately, J. Edgar doesn’t work. Beautiful to look at, as are most of Eastwood’s films. And the acting is generally good. But there is a perspective conflict between the director and the screenwriter, and a conflict over which story is … Continue reading →

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