Tag Archives: Paul Giamatti

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

If you’re a fan of the television series or the two previous films—or both—this wrap-up is like a warm and cozy meal on a cold winter day. As with a handful of films, this one is beyond criticism in some … Continue reading

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The Holdovers

Not a particularly successful film financially,  the dramedy The Holdovers nevertheless managed to snag five Oscar nominations. The Best Picture nomination isn’t even close to being deserved, especially in a year like this. But at least two of the other … Continue reading

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The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Full disclosure: I live just outside of Rochester, New York, where several of the sequences for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 were filmed. So the film has achieved a status here far larger than the run-of-the-mill superhero sequel-to-the-reboot. While it was … Continue reading

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12 Years a Slave

Simply put, 12 Years a Slave is the best film of the year, for a myriad of reasons. I’m even more impressed after the second viewing. It’s beautifully shot, with nearly pitch-perfect acting, and a rhythm all its own. Perhaps … Continue reading

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Saving Mr. Banks

Saving Mr. Banks is the story of the creative tug of war between Walt Disney and P.L. Travers, the author and protector of Mary Poppins, which Disney had tried to turn into a film for nearly two decades. It’s soft … Continue reading

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