Paul Thomas Anderson Douses Film Noir With Bong Smoke in ‘Inherent Vice’
Throughout cinema history, there have been countless films made about detectives and stoners, but nothing has ever been quite like Inherent Vice.
Jon Lisi
Jon Lisi writes about film and television. He lives in New York City.
The Potentially Great ‘Mommy’ Is Only Occasionally Good
Mommy has its memorable moments, but it's ultimately not worth the effort to watch obnoxious characters shout at each other for over two hours.
A Vampire Falls in Love in Iran in ‘A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night’
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is the most exciting debut feature film of the decade thus far, showing a prodigious talent in director Ana Lily Amirpour.
The Artist Is Not Present: The Significance of Sia’s Anti-Pop Persona
For once, a pop artist has rejected the idea of stardom, and as a result, has become one of the world’s most discussed pop stars.
It’s an Art Form, Talking ‘Bout Your Mama
Readers that aren’t easily offended will find themselves laughing and cringing at what is surely the raunchiest history book in years.
There Aren’t Many Reasons to Go ‘Into the Woods’
Die-hard Sondheim fans may enjoy this adaptation, but the rest of the world should revisit Chicago and wonder why Marshall hasn’t been able to capture that film’s magic since.
‘Unbroken’ Is a Merely Adequate Biopic
For every powerful moment, there is a scene that lacks force and overstays its welcome.
‘Dreaming of Cinema’ Demonstrates Why the Humanities Are Out of Touch
For better or worse, contemporary scholars in cinema studies spend more time drawing from and debating one another than talking about films.
‘Top Five’ Is the First Film to Fully Showcase Chris Rock’s Genius
Top Five is one of the most original and satisfying comedies in years.
In ‘Rosewater’, Jon Stewart Conveys the Power of the Human Spirit
In a culture where people Tweet nonsensical thoughts, Rosewater challenges us to consider the ways we can use our voices to speak on behalf of those that are routinely silenced.
Can Television Be a Solution to Hollywood’s Diversity Problem?
We are living in the second Golden Age of Television, and not just because the writing is so good: TV is where we can tune in for real diversity.
‘The Theory of Everything’ Needs More Jane Hawking
Felicity Jones' remarkable performance can't save The Theory of Everything, in large part because the film doesn't fully commit to her own point of view.