Category Archives: Film Reviews

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

Strangers on a Train (1951)

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Mark DuPré

Strangers on a Train, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is more than 60 years old and is as energetic, smart and fresh as anything released this year. Catching it on TV recently, I was impressed all over again with the film—one … Continue reading →

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Premium Rush

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Mark DuPré

I love movies like this because I like movies like this. My film students always assume that because it’s not classic or foreign or Oscar bait, that of course a film professor wouldn’t waste precious time on a film that’s … Continue reading →

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The Bourne Legacy

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Mark DuPré

This semi-reboot of the Bourne trilogy with Matt Damon is a kind of “Whew, that was intense, wasn’t it!” reaction to the earlier series. The Bourne Legacy is simpler, easier, less layered and subtle, and heads in different directions. Our … Continue reading →

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Hope Rises

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Mark DuPré

Some critics used to separate “films” from “movies.” Hope Springs is a movie; it’s mainstream and entertaining, with no aspirations to art. It’s solid as a film, hysterically funny at times, and painfully uncomfortable at other times. The direction is … Continue reading →

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The Dark Knight Rises

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Mark DuPré

The last installment of the Batman trilogy may not be looked at simply as a film for a while. The slaughter on opening night will likely be associated with the film for many a viewer and non-viewer. The real violence … Continue reading →

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Pygmalion

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Mark DuPré

If anyone is familiar with this 1938 British classic, it’s mostly because it’s been relegated to “the film that My Fair Lady was based on.” And being more familiar with the musical and film, you experience this film as almost … Continue reading →

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Brave

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Mark DuPré

Most of the talk surrounding Brave has been focused on gender and ideology. Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald) is a Disney heroine who doesn’t need or want a man, and doesn’t end up with one. For sociologists and ideologues, that’s … Continue reading →

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The Amazing Spider-Man

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Mark DuPré

This is your kinder, gentler Spider-Man. That’s neither a compliment nor a complaint. It’s just a quick description of the reboot. There’s nothing really new here except the emphasis. This Spider-Man film is more down-to-earth, closer to its protagonists, lighter … Continue reading →

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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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