The Simon

"Green Zone": The Iraq War Film Is "Bourne" Again

Tim Grierson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:29:00 PST

Green Zone reunites Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass from the Jason Bourne sequels, but the complexities of the Iraq occupation prove too much for them.

Tiger Woods By the Numbers

Jabulani Leffall — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:19:00 PST

Tiger had a real chance to not only vindicate himself but to let us off the hook for believing what was and is being sold to us on a daily basis but he chose to read a statement, then ask for privacy, then rail against the media.

"The Ghost Writer": A Killer Thriller

Tim Grierson — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:24:00 PST

Roman Polanski's smart, pulpy thriller is a B-movie pleasure. Elsewhere, William Hurt is one of the (few) highlights of The Yellow Handkerchief, and Bronson is worth checking out on DVD.

Clowns, Casinos and Men Full of Cash

Charlotte Laws — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:56:00 PST

President Obama's trip to Las Vegas prompts one writer to reflect on how Sin City has changed since her youth.

"Avatar" vs. "The Hurt Locker": Ghosts in the Machines

Lucia Bozzola — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:57:00 PST

Cameron may have the biggest hard drive, but guess who makes the sharper film about men, war, and technology?

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

Tim Grierson — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 08:05:00 PST

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.

Up in the Air with the Fantastic Mr. Fox: Wild at Heart

Lucia Bozzola — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:23:00 PST

George Clooney's road warrior can learn a thing or two from the female animals around him.

'Brothers': Life (and Love) During Wartime

Tim Grierson — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:15:00 PST

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.

It's My Party and I'll Crash If I Want To

Charlotte Laws — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:26:00 PST

"I am pleased that the media who once hoarded the most valuable commodities in America -- information and ideas -- have been forced to pull extra chairs to the table and share some of the bounty with the potato peelers in the kitchen."

"Red Cliff": John Woo Rides Again

Tim Grierson — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:19:00 PST

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.

The Agassi Dilemma: Unedited, Unapologetic, and Unwanted

Eric V. Neagu — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:20:00 PST

"But in an individual sport, where the supporting cast is invisible, publicizing foibles, especially after a magnificent career like Agassi's, comes off as peculiar self-promotion in the absence of recent adulation. Our heroes should not seek praise for their mistakes."

"Collapse": The End Is Nigh

Tim Grierson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:10:00 PST

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.