Christian Bale has earned a standout reputation as an actor by disappearing thoroughly into his characters, whether by losing weight, learning sleight-of-hand, eating worms, or spending hours with someone to absorb his mannerisms. “I like the idea of movies having…
Dysfunctional Thanksgiving Films
For all its charms of sumptuous food, football, films and family, Thanksgiving has its share of dysfunction: delayed flights, kitchen mishaps, leftover resentments. It’s a recipe for relatable drama and even a few laughs. Writer-director Will Slocombe cooks up this…
From Goonie to Go-To Guy
More than twenty years after breaking into film as a Goonie, Josh Brolin has emerged as the go-to guy for many high-profile film adaptations, I wrote in my piece on Word & Film today. Since 2007’s “No Country for…
“Breaking Bad”: Hubris, Blood, Meth and Tears
With Sunday’s series finale, the acclaimed AMC crime drama “Breaking Bad” wraps up a modern-day Greek tragedy. Over five seasons, this Primetime Emmy winner for Outstanding Drama Series has watched Walter White (Bryan Cranston) evolve from an Albuquerque chemistry teacher…
Hard-Boiled Humor
Robert De Niro brings lightning intensity to mobsters and miscreants in films such as “Mean Streets,” “Raging Bull,” “Cape Fear,” and “Goodfellas.” But with “The Family,” opening September 13, he taps into another skill set: his capacity for comedy. From…
“What will your verse be?”
School season made me think how movie buffs are in class year-round. (This summer we attended “Monsters University,” right?) So I’ve rounded up a list of my favorite school films with life lessons, such as “Stand and Deliver,” “Wonder Boys,”…
In praise of good bad movies
I love a good bad movie. Not a movie that’s so bad it’s good (like those from “Mystery Science Theater 3000”), but one that’s enjoyable in its own loopy way, like “Sahara,” “Point Break” and a handful of others I…
Young Lives with Ancient Wisdom
The preternaturally wise child is a tricky character to bring to life. Here, my picks for films that do it well: http://www.wordandfilm.com/2013/07/ways-to-live-forever-and-5-other-young-lives-with-ancient-wisdom/#
A summer tradition: the coming-of-age epiphany movie
With “The Way, Way Back” opening this week and “The Spectacular Now” coming next month, a warm-weather tradition continues: the coming-of-age epiphany movie. Start with a youth in transition (“The Wackness”) or a restless adult with unresolved issues (“A Walk…
Who’s strong and brave here to save the American way?
Happy 4th of July! We played the “Star-Spangled Man” segment from “Captain America: The First Avenger” for our son this morning. Here, my other suggestions for red, white and blue viewing.