Christopher Llewellyn Reed's Blog, page 53

In Visually Stunning (If Derivative) “Arrival,” a Powerful Amy Adams Offers Hope and Peace for All Time

Arrival (Denis Villeneuve, 2016) There is much to admire and love in Arrival, the new film from Canadian director Denis Villeneuve, a creatively dynamic soul known for the eclectic variety of his subjects. While I have not enjoyed everything of his that I have seen, I nevertheless usually appreciate his restless mind, which strives to explore the human condition from … Continue reading In Visually Stunning (If Derivative) “Arrival,” a Powerful Amy Adams Offers Hope and Peace for All Time

3 Reviews @hammertonail, of “The Eagle Huntress,” “Moonlight” and “Sonita” + @middleburgfilm wrap-up @filmfesttoday

Hammer to Nail posted three new reviews of mine last week for The Eagle Huntress, Moonlight and Sonita. Also, Film Festival Today posted my summary of the recent Middleburg Film Festival. Here are the links to each post: Review of The Eagle Huntress Review of Moonlight Review of Sonita Wrap-up of Middleburg Film Festival Enjoy!

“Roughly Speaking” on “Certain Women,” “Moonlight” and Political Films from the Cinema Canon

Today, 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,” where we discussed two new releases – Certain Women and Moonlight – as well as politically themed films from the cinema canon (you know, because … Continue reading “Roughly Speaking” on “Certain Women,” “Moonlight” and Political Films from the Cinema Canon

“Doctor Strange” Is Yet Another Marvel Superhero Movie

Doctor Strange (Scott Derrickson, 2016) Doctor Strange, the latest in what now threatens to be an eternity of movies based on Marvel Comics characters, has a lot going for it. Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game), in the title role, is one of them. So is Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave). And Tilda Swinton (A Bigger … Continue reading “Doctor Strange” Is Yet Another Marvel Superhero Movie

“Trolls” Offers Positive Lessons in a Saccharine Setting

[Note: This review will also appear on Film Festival Today, and when it does, I will link to it  here.]  Trolls (Walt Dohrn/Mike Mitchell, 2016) The newest film from Dreamworks Animation, Trolls is based on the collection of plastic dolls created by Danish woodcutter Thomas Dam in 1959. Originally called Good Luck Trolls, they’ve had quite the … Continue reading “Trolls” Offers Positive Lessons in a Saccharine Setting

Professing Pacifism, “Hacksaw Ridge” Champions Carnage

Hacksaw Ridge (Mel Gibson, 2016) How much should a director’s personal history count when judging his or her work? We cinephiles just confronted this question with the recent release of Nate Parker’s The Birth of a Nation, for which the man’s past history of rape allegations posed a problem. Or not, depending on how one answers the initial … Continue reading Professing Pacifism, “Hacksaw Ridge” Champions Carnage

Exquisite “Certain Women” Showcases Four Brilliant Actresses of Our Day

[Note: This review will also appear on Film Festival Today, and when it does, I will link to it  here.]  Certain Women (Kelly Reichardt, 2016) Set in wintry Montana, Certain Women – the sixth full-length feature from Kelly Reichardt (Meek’s Cutoff) – offers a narrative scope as majestic as the mountains we glimpse in the distance, with a focus as narrow as … Continue reading Exquisite “Certain Women” Showcases Four Brilliant Actresses of Our Day

Interview with David Schisgall, Director of “Theo Who Lived,” @hammertonail

Not a lot of published activity for me this week, though many pieces are in the works. As an accompaniment to my recent review of the documentary Theo Who Lived, however, Hammer to Nail published my interview with the director of that film, David Schisgall. Here is the link. Enjoy!

“Roughly Speaking” Podcast on Fall 2016 Coming Attractions

Today, 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,” where we discussed some of this fall season’s coming attractions, including, but not limited to: Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,  Jackie, Moonlight and Tower. This portion of … Continue reading “Roughly Speaking” Podcast on Fall 2016 Coming Attractions

Leave Your Thinking Cap Behind, and “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” Delivers Occasional Action Goods

[Note: This review also appeared on Film Festival Today at this link.]  Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (Edward Zwick, 2016) I missed reading all of the opening credits on the new Jack Reacher film – sequel to the 2012 original and based on the 18th book in the long-running series from author Lee Child – so I didn’t notice the director’s name … Continue reading Leave Your Thinking Cap Behind, and “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” Delivers Occasional Action Goods