Arts

Dark, challenging ‘Detroit’ may be controversial without purpose

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | October 17, 2017

I watched “Detroit” over a week ago, and I’m still not quite sure what to say.

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Film Review

‘Blade Runner 2049’ continues saga’s exploration of humanity

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | October 10, 2017

To be clear from the outset, the original “Blade Runner” is far from perfect. It is a flawed masterpiece, as influential as it is imperfect. And that’s probably why I love it. It is a slow, poetic and evocative film that never asked for or needed a sequel. But here we are 35 years later and “Blade Runner 2049” actually exists. Is it as good as the first film?

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Arts

‘Dunkirk’ is a harrowing masterpiece with minimal dialogue

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | October 3, 2017

In many ways, “Dunkirk” is the film Christopher Nolan was meant to make. This is not to say that it’s his best film, though it is certainly among the best.

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Arts

‘mother!’ is unrestrained, bold

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | September 26, 2017

Darren Aronofsky and I have a complicated relationship. Well, to be more accurate, his films and I have a charged, complex and often fraught relationship.

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Film Review

Visual interest doesn't save boring characters in 'Downsizing'

By Haley Gordon | September 19, 2017

Going into “Downsizing,” all I knew was the major overarching concept. People were shrinking in order to get more bang for their buck, in a strangely practical use of science fiction technology.

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Film Review

Guillermo Del Toro's 'The Shape of Water' touches greatness

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | September 19, 2017

“The Shape of Water” is perhaps best understood as a cap to a thematic trilogy that began with “The Devil’s Backbone” and continued with “Pan’s Labyrinth.” All three films fuse fairy tale narratives and period piece war stories together, highlighting the connections they share to illustrate what does and does not work about each.

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Tv Review

For better or worse, “Twin Peaks: The Return” is pure Lynch

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | September 12, 2017

When the original “Twin Peaks” aired over 25 years ago, it was a TV show about a mystery. With its revival this year in the form of “Twin Peaks: The Return,” the show itself has become a mystery.

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Film Review

Childhood nostalgia makes “It” a satisfying end-of-summer flick

By Haley Gordon | September 12, 2017

A jam-packed movie theater at an evening showing of a horror movie on its opening weekend is not an atypical sight in a suburban Pennsylvania town.

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Film Review

Film Review: ‘The Big Sick’ is a robust rom-com, but not much else

By Joyce Lee | July 20, 2017

As a film, “The Big Sick” is an unconventional addition to a long tradition of romantic comedies with memorable protagonists that include the likes of “When Harry Met Sally,” “Bridget Jones’s Diary” and “Notting Hill.” Kumail Nanjiani stars as Kumail, a character based on his early life as a standup comic who falls in love with psychology graduate student and quintessential girl next door, Emily, a somewhat underutilized Zoe Kazan, who is based on Nanjiani’s wife in real life, Emily Gordon.

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Film Review

Film Review: ‘The Vietnam War’ recognizes distinct perspectives

By Ali Hunter and Walker Schneider | July 20, 2017

The Vietnam War doesn’t fit neatly into American folklore.

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Film Review

‘T2 Trainspotting’ mixes the new and nostalgic

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | May 30, 2017

In this era of sequels, reboots and remakes, who would have thought that “Trainspotting” would get a second chance to shine.

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Film Review

Tonal issues and twist ending of ‘Table 19’ fall flat

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | May 17, 2017

Honestly, I should have known how much I would dislike “Table 19” just by looking at its film poster, which is designed to look like an Instagram post.

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Film Review

Charlie Hunnam shines as explorer in 'The Lost City of Z'

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | May 9, 2017

“The Lost City of Z” is one of the most confounding cinematic experiences I’ve had in some time.

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Review

Documentary Review: ‘Tickling Giants’

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | May 2, 2017

In 2011, shortly after the resignation of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian surgeon Bassem Youssef created a satirical web series in an attempt to heal his country through comedy.

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Film Review

Good characters fail to revive recycled plot in 'Gifted'

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | April 18, 2017

 “Gifted” will be the third consecutive film that I’ve given a negative rating. I want to make it absolutely clear that I don’t enjoy that fact in the slightest. Roger Ebert, the grandfather of film criticism and one of my key inspirations, wrote in his book, “Your Movie Sucks,” the following: “Some of these reviews were written in joyous zeal.

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Film Review

Rupert Sanders' 'Ghost in the Shell' remake produces no ghost, empty shell

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | April 11, 2017

Like the film I reviewed last week, “Ghost in the Shell” is a live-action remake of an animated classic.

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Arts

'Beauty and the Beast' remake fails to outshine original

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | April 6, 2017

Walt Disney Studios’ new live-action remake of “Beauty and the Beast” is undoubtedly one of the year’s most anticipated films.

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Arts

"Logan" is exciting, not revolutionary

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | March 28, 2017

Many film reviewers, myself included, would argue that we are currently in the midst of a “golden age” of superhero cinema.

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Arts

Despite awkward mix-up, this year’s Oscars are a step forward

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | February 28, 2017

After last year’s “Oscars So White” controversy, I didn’t think a more uncomfortable Oscar ceremony would be possible.

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Arts

‘Get Out’ is a chilling and relevant take on the horror genre

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | February 28, 2017

“Get Out” begins with a beautiful, stylistic long take following an African-American man trying to navigate a suburban neighborhood in the middle of the night.

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