Christopher Llewellyn Reed's Blog, page 42
November 3, 2017
“Wonderstruck” Underwhelms
Wonderstruck (Todd Haynes, 2017)* How I wish I did not dislike this movie so much. Its intentions are good, and it features a strong performance from young newcomer Millicent Simmonds, a deaf actress cast in a deaf role (something we don’t see very often), but such things do not a good film make, on their own, … Continue reading “Wonderstruck” Underwhelms
Is “The Killing of a Sacred Deer” Worth the Sacrifice? You Be the Judge, Jury and …
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (Yorgos Lanthimos, 2017) For the record, I loved The Lobster, director Yorgos Lanthimos’ previous effort. Building on the tradition he had established in films like Alps and Dogtooth, he there brought his obsession with societies built on arcane systems of governance to glorious fruition in a mesmerizing tale anchored by a deliriously … Continue reading Is “The Killing of a Sacred Deer” Worth the Sacrifice? You Be the Judge, Jury and …
October 29, 2017
6 Reviews + 1 Interview: “Cocaine Prison,” “Dina,” Criterion’s “Exterminating Angel” & Interview with Mathew Klickstein @hammertonail + “1922,” “Goodbye Christopher Robin” & “Thank You for Your Service” @filmfesttoday
In the past two weeks, the following pieces of mine have posted: at Hammer to Nail, reviews of Cocaine Prison, Dina and Criterion’s Blu-ray of Exterminating Angel, plus an interview with filmmaker Mathew Klickstein about his new documentary On Your Marc; at Film Festival Today, reviews of Netflix’s 1922, as well as of Goodbye Christopher Robin and Thank You for … Continue reading 6 Reviews + 1 Interview: “Cocaine Prison,” “Dina,” Criterion’s “Exterminating Angel” & Interview with Mathew Klickstein @hammertonail + “1922,” “Goodbye Christopher Robin” & “Thank You for Your Service” @filmfesttoday
October 20, 2017
“The Snowman” Collapses Under the Weight of Its Structure
The Snowman (Tomas Alfredson, 2017) Let’s not mince words: The Snowman is a grotesque, gruesome gargoyle of a thriller with very little to recommend it beyond some picturesque shots of Norwegian landscapes and architecture, as well as the sight of actor Michael Fassbender (a landscape unto himself), deep in thought. Always a compelling screen presence, Fassbender (Macbeth) … Continue reading “The Snowman” Collapses Under the Weight of Its Structure
October 13, 2017
4 Reviews + 1 Podcast: “Bending the Arc” & “Human Flow” @hammertonail + “The Foreigner” & “Marshall” @filmfesttoday + “Blade Runner” & “Blade Runner 2049” @roughlyspeaking
Since my last omnibus post, I have written, or participated in, the following movie reviews: at Hammer to Nail, reviews of Bending the Arc and Human Flow; at Film Festival Today, reviews of The Foreigner and Marshall; and on The Baltimore Sun‘s “Roughly Speaking” podcast – with Dan Rodricks and Linda DeLibero – an episode on the original … Continue reading 4 Reviews + 1 Podcast: “Bending the Arc” & “Human Flow” @hammertonail + “The Foreigner” & “Marshall” @filmfesttoday + “Blade Runner” & “Blade Runner 2049” @roughlyspeaking
October 6, 2017
Overlong and Overwritten, “Blade Runner 2049” Still Delivers a Strong Sequel
Blade Runner 2049 (Denis Villeneuve, 2017) Director Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, originally released in 1982, was not an initial box-office success, though since then it has earned a well-deserved following for its blend of science fiction, action and metaphysics, as well as for its awe-inspiring production design and in-camera visual effects. Long before the days of … Continue reading Overlong and Overwritten, “Blade Runner 2049” Still Delivers a Strong Sequel
October 5, 2017
5 Reviews + 1 Interview (in 2 Parts) Last Week: Criterion’s “Multiple Maniacs” & “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” + “Lucky” & “We’re Still Together” + Interview w/ Peter Bratt & Dolores Huerta @hammertonail + “Battle of the Sexes” @filmfesttoday
Over the past week or so, I had the following film pieces posted at Hammer to Nail: reviews of Criterion Blu-rays of Multiple Maniacs and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown; reviews of new theatrical releases Lucky and We’re Still Together; and a two-part interview with director Peter Bratt and subject Dolores Huerta, of the new documentary Dolores … Continue reading 5 Reviews + 1 Interview (in 2 Parts) Last Week: Criterion’s “Multiple Maniacs” & “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” + “Lucky” & “We’re Still Together” + Interview w/ Peter Bratt & Dolores Huerta @hammertonail + “Battle of the Sexes” @filmfesttoday
September 24, 2017
2 Reviews from September 22: “Kissing Candice” @hammertonail + “Friend Request” @filmfesttoday
On Friday, I posted the following two reviews: Kissing Candice, at Hammer to Nail; and Friend Request at Film Festival Today: Friend Request review Kissing Candice review Enjoy!
@BaltimoreSun’s @RoughlySpeaking Podcast on What to Watch on Amazon Prime, Hulu and Netflix (and Others)
On Friday, September 22, 2017, Linda DeLibero – Director, Film and Media Studies, Johns Hopkins University – and Christopher Llewellyn Reed (that’s me) – Chair and Professor, Department of Film & Moving Image, Stevenson University – joined Dan Rodricks on his Baltimore Sun podcast, “Roughly Speaking,” to discuss our favorites among the plethora of shows available to watch right now on Amazon Prime, Hulu and … Continue reading @BaltimoreSun’s @RoughlySpeaking Podcast on What to Watch on Amazon Prime, Hulu and Netflix (and Others)
September 21, 2017
“Kingsman: The Golden Circle” Offers More of the Same
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (Matthew Vaughn, 2017) One of the finest aspects of both John Wick and the first Kingsman film was the worldbuilding. In each one, we encountered a fascinating secret society that operated just out of sight of the rest of us, in which hidden operatives made and carried out plans to alternately destroy (Wick) and … Continue reading “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” Offers More of the Same
