The best documentary filmmakers know that the strength of their film lies not necessarily in the information that’s being provided to the audience but in the manner in which that information is presented. A marvel of the form like Ezra Edelman’s O.J.: Made in America, works not simply by telling O.J.’s story, much of which many already knew, but in how OJ’s story was contextualized within American history in order to indict not just Simpson, but the American judicial system, and the country itself in equal measure. O.J.’s story (iconic athlete and celebrity turned murder suspect) was fascinating in its…

If Devin didn’t come into this store damn-near every day for the last 12 years, Izzy might not have said a thing. He didn’t even know Devin by name, but he knew his face as well as anyone. Even still, it was a lot to ask of someone making convenience store wages. But for some reason, Izzy called after Devin, who had just reinserted his earbuds.

“Yo. Yo, my man.”

Devin removed one of his earbuds as he turned around.

“This is a winner.”

Devin stood looking at him for a second, processing what he’d just heard before walking back…

As the streets once again fill with the fury of thousands protesting yet another round of Black deaths perpetrated by the police who more often terrorize communities than protect them, returning as well is the discussion about what must be done to put an end to this terror. …

I normally opt for essays rather than reviews when writing about film, but during this indefinite period of isolation, I thought I’d use the abundance of time to write some capsule reviews of films I’m long overdue for watching.

Back in the twilight of the VHS-era, I was a young boy who would watch a number of movies from grandmother’s extensive VHs collection. And on a number of these before the feature, there would be a trailer for Road to Perdition. And from my perspective as a child, not even 10 years old yet, Road to Perdition seemed like a…

There’s nothing quite like watching a person who appears to be totally confident in whatever situation they find themselves in. A person whose serenity effortlessly puts you at ease. We find such a person in Phillip Baker Hall’s Sydney, a professional gambler looking to do a good deed. Sydney knows his limitations — and the limitations of his profession. He can’t work miracles, but he can at least pull someone up from rock bottom and get them floating again. Sydney extends this courtesy to the destitute John (John C. Reilly), whom he finds down on his luck seated on the…

I normally opt for essays rather than reviews when writing about film, but during this indefinite period of isolation, I thought I’d use the abundance of time to write some capsule reviews of films I’m long overdue for watching.

The inherent problem with concert films is that they’re marketed directly to people who are already fans of the band/artist on display. I can’t imagine too many people (parents excluded) going to see a Justin Beiber concert in theaters that aren’t already Beliebers. I only highlight this as a problem because watching Stop Making Sense, I kept thinking “who wouldn’t love…

I normally opt for essays rather than reviews when writing about film, but during this indefinite period of isolation, I thought I’d use the abundance of time to write some capsule reviews of films I’m long overdue for watching.

Perhaps it’s due to my only passing familiarity with Daniel Clowes’ “Ghost World” comic upon which this film is based, or maybe I was misled by the bright, colorful, and offbeat aesthetic presentation of the film’s marketing, but I kept waiting for this movie to get weird. Like really weird. …

Uncut Gems isn’t a basketball movie. It isn’t even really a gambling movie. If anything, it’s a tragedy about karmic retribution and one’s actions catching up to them. Despite all that, I think Uncut Gems might be the best basketball movie I’ve ever seen. And one of the most magical. Even though actual basketball is played onscreen for less than 10 minutes of the 2 hour and 15-minute runtime, the movie dramaticizes the game of basketball like I’ve never seen. I’m quite sure I’ve never truly cared who won the opening tip-off in a basketball game (professional or otherwise) and…