Consumables

"The Lovely Bones": Dying Is Easy, Adaptations Are Hard

Peter Jackson's adaptation of the Alice Sebold novel leaves a lot to be desired. Elsewhere, A Single Man breaks the heart, while The Headless Woman is an existential mystery to get lost in.

By Tim Grierson, Dec 30, 2009

'Brothers': Life (and Love) During Wartime

The American remake of a Danish drama looks at the cost of the War of Terror on one young family. Elsewhere, The Last Station celebrates the final days of Leo Tolstoy, and The Road isn't nearly as harrowing as it should be.

By Tim Grierson, Dec 4, 2009

"Red Cliff": John Woo Rides Again

After a few Hollywood bombs, Chinese director John Woo returns to his homeland to make an epic. Elsewhere, Broken Embraces disappoints, while Planet 51 is definitely not out of this world.

By Tim Grierson, Nov 19, 2009

"Collapse": The End Is Nigh

Director Chris Smith's documentary about a frighteningly prescient doomsayer makes the end of the world seem uncomfortably close. Elsewhere, Pirate Radio and A Christmas Carol are better than advertised.

By Tim Grierson, Nov 12, 2009

"The Men Who Stare at Goats": War (and Mind) Games

The Men Who Stare at Goats boasts a terrific performance by George Clooney and an incredible true story about the U.S. military's New Earth Army. Elsewhere, Precious finds the heart in a potentially predictable inspirational tale.

By Tim Grierson, Nov 5, 2009

'Antichrist': Damn Good

For those with a strong constitution, Lars von Trier's Antichrist has much to recommend, despite its obvious flaws. Elsewhere, Where the Wild Things Are astonishes, and A Serious Man is a quiet marvel of agony and dread.

By Tim Grierson, Oct 22, 2009

"The Damned United" and "An Education": True Tales, Sad Stories

Two new movies based on real-life accounts demonstrate that fact can be stranger (and more poignant) than fiction. Elsewhere, The Informant! extends Steven Soderbergh's recent winning streak, and Julia provides Tilda Swinton with another opportunity to display her genius.

By Tim Grierson, Oct 9, 2009

"Inglourious Basterds": Quentin Tarantino Goes Off to War

Inglourious Basterds finds QT riffing on the World War II movie, to limited success. Elsewhere, Funny People and Humpday offer some poignant laughs. And Steely Dan embraces its "worst" album brilliantly in concert.

By Tim Grierson, Aug 24, 2009

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