Category Archives: Newer films

Moonrise Kingdom

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Mark DuPré

Wes Anderson (The Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Darjeeling Limited, The Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore) is a critics darling, and many are falling all over themselves to proclaim this his best yet. It may be, but I’m not among that group, as … Continue reading →

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Prometheus

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Mark DuPré

Stunningly beautiful. Almost intriguing at times. And eventually, the prequel to Alien that we originally thought it would be. There’s a lot to like here. (Full disclosure: I didn’t live in breathless anticipation of this film, as many others did. … Continue reading →

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The Avengers

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Mark DuPré

Critics and filmmakers are going to study and pick apart The Avengers (officially Marvel’s The Avengers) for years as an example of how to make a successful franchise film, and a film with “too many” major characters. As it stands, … Continue reading →

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The Hunger Games

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Mark DuPré

I find myself in an unusual position in regard to the latest box office phenomenon. I haven’t read the books, and don’t intend to (no time and no interest, in that order). I approach it not looking for how well … Continue reading →

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Like Crazy

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Mark DuPré

Like Crazy (2011) is an indie film about young love and young lovers.  She’s an English student, he an American one. They fall in love, make one big wrong decision (among many smaller stupid ones), and then get bounced around by … Continue reading →

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Act of Valor

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Mark DuPré

Act of Valor can’t be looked at like other films, as it fits in its own created category. It’s the best film about Navy SEALs starring Navy SEALs, which of course tells you nothing. It’s a little like Courageous (really … Continue reading →

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The Artist

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Mark DuPré

What a delight. It definitely helps being a total film nerd when you see it. There are so many film references that make it all the more fun. I noticed references to Singin’ in the Rain, What Price Hollywood?, every … Continue reading →

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Red Tails

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Mark DuPré

Red Tails is rousing, brave, extremely well intentioned, a throwback, and historically revisionist. It’s the tale of the Tuskegee Airmen, African-American fighter pilots in World War II. According to producer George Lucas, the film was to be a throwback to … Continue reading →

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The Iron Lady

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Mark DuPré

The buzz about The Iron Lady is that Meryl Streep is fantastic and the film, just so-so. That’s correct. Sometimes a good film highlights a performance, and that performance is what you walk away remembering. Sophie’s Choice—still in my thinking … Continue reading →

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War Horse

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Mark DuPré

I’m a terrible person. I know that I should like War Horse. It’s not even that I am afraid of/resistant to sentimentality. I fully expected this to be a full-throated emotional and sentimental film, and that would have been OK. … Continue reading →

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