Category Archives: Film Reviews

Film reviews and analyses. Most recently published is in front.

Alien: Covenant

Posted on June 17, 2017 by Mark DuPré

A mini-review…. This film has beautiful production design, excellent cinematography, and a star-making performance by Michael Fassbender (who is already a star). On the other hand, there’s nothing new here. After wandering far afield of the Alien myth with 2012’s … Continue reading →

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The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)

Posted on June 4, 2017 by Mark DuPré

This improbably entitled film is the great epic of the Michael Powell—Emeric Pressburger canon. The directors’ Black Narcissus and The Red Shoes might be wilder and even more stunningly beautiful, but The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp is fascinating … Continue reading →

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Denial (2016)

Posted on May 29, 2017 by Mark DuPré

One of the great disappointments in the art of film occurs when a great story, or even an important and engaging one, becomes a film that is just “fine.” If the film were a dud, there might be the chance … Continue reading →

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A Matter of Life and Death/Stairway to Heaven (1946)

Posted on May 25, 2017 by Mark DuPré

I took another trip to the 1940s, and to England, and to something like heaven. But really, I was taking another trip to the land of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger (see reviews of Black Narcissus and The Red Shoes), … Continue reading →

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Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

Posted on May 20, 2017 by Mark DuPré

The second installment of the Guardians series is nearly critic-proof. At this point, the franchise has a life of its own, and is successful enough at entertaining that snipes are harmless to the films and serious analysis is nearly pointless. … Continue reading →

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The Birth of a Nation (2016)

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Mark DuPré

The Birth of a Nation was the biggest film non-happening of 2016. This was the film that was bought at Sundance for $17.5 million. It was thought it was going to be one of the critical hits of the year, … Continue reading →

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Beauty and the Beast

Posted on April 24, 2017 by Mark DuPré

If you loved Beauty and the Beast and just enjoyed it, don’t read the following. Seriously. I usually don’t like to see “event films” or those preceded by great hype, on the opening weekend. I had to wait longer than … Continue reading →

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Black Narcissus (1947)

Posted on April 23, 2017 by Mark DuPré

I was familiar with the famous British writing and directing team of (Michael) Powell and (Emiric) Pressburger from film school. But until recently, my exposure to their work had been quite limited. I’m in the middle of remedying that. I … Continue reading →

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Logan

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Mark DuPré

Logan is the final installment of the Hugh Jackman Wolverine film series. (Major spoiler alerts ahead). He goes out in style. Or should I say a change of style. Logan is R-rated for a great deal of bloody violence and … Continue reading →

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Two Semi-Classics: Anne of the Thousand Days and Anastasia

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Mark DuPré

Being a history nut as well as a film person, I try to fill in the many gaps in my film experience with classic or semi-classic historical films. I recently had the opportunity to see 1969’s Anne of the Thousand … Continue reading →

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