film reviews

Alice in Blunderland: “The Dance of Death” and war between the sexes

November 7, 2014 By Ed Rampell

This production of the Swedish playwright August Strindberg's 1900 "The Dance of Death," now playing in Pasadena, is expertly acted and directed.

“Citizenfour”: “The Shock Doctrine” plays out in the Patriot Act

November 7, 2014 By Eric A. Gordon And Dale Greenfield

The NSA and the National Security State have committed possibly irreparable damage to democracy itself, which depends on free speech and liberty of thought.

Scandinavia at the Chicago International Film Festival

October 31, 2014 By Bill Meyer

Scandinavia showed up in full glory at the 50th Chicago International Film Festival. A Swedish film even won the coveted Best Foreign Film Audience Award.

Brad Pitt fires last shot in “Fury”

October 29, 2014 By Joseph Zimmermann

The film does boast some excellent performances, but by the second half, the script turns utterly preposterous.

Freedom of the press? “Kill the Messenger” in review

October 27, 2014 By Eric A. Gordon And Dale Greenfield

Kill the Messenger raises daunting questions about the role of the press in society. This passion play is a piece of our nation's recent and ongoing history.