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Author: Chris Ludovici

Inside the uncomfortably small world of “Panic Room”

Panic Room
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One of David Fincher’s more straightforward suspense thrillers, Panic Room finds that greed always levels the playing ground.

Chris Ludovici Posted on December 18, 2020December 18, 2020

“Strange Days” says more about 2020 than it did about 1999

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Kathryn Bigelow’s vision of a grim future was mostly rejected by audiences — now we’re living in it.

Chris Ludovici Posted on November 16, 2020November 15, 2020

“Se7en” can still keep you up at night, even after 25 years

Se7en
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David Fincher’s bleak, gruesome murder mystery packed a punch audiences have never forgotten.

Chris Ludovici Posted on September 22, 2020September 23, 2020

“Spider-Man: Far From Home” forces Peter Parker to grow up

Spider-Man Far From Home
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The latest Marvel film to date is more than a mid-sized follow up to Avengers: Endgame — it establishes Peter Parker as the beating heart of the new MCU.

Chris Ludovici Posted on April 28, 2020April 28, 2020

One Woman Finds Her Way in a Man’s World in “Married to the Mob”

Married to the Mob
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Jonathan Demme directed Michelle Pfeiffer in a winning performance in a feminist take on screwball comedy.

Chris Ludovici Posted on February 15, 2020February 16, 2020

The Computerized Humanism of “Avatar”, Ten Years Later

Avatar
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We revisit the underappreciated humanism of James Cameron’s effects-driven blockbuster a decade after its release.

Chris Ludovici Posted on December 18, 2019December 18, 2019

Love and Robots: “The Terminator” is Cameron’s Most Romantic Movie

The Terminator
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On the thirty-fifth anniversary of the film’s release, we look back at James Cameron’s most melancholy blockbuster.

Chris Ludovici Posted on October 26, 2019October 24, 2019

Decency is Stifling in “The Age of Innocence”

The Age of Innocence
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Martin Scorsese’s scintillating period romance is a Victorian treatise on the sufficating gulf between desire and decorum.

Chris Ludovici Posted on October 24, 2019October 29, 2019

William Friedkin’s “Cruising” Remains a Gloriously Messy BDSM Thriller

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The controversial sex-crime thriller starring Al Pacino gets a Blu Ray release, but its flaws in storytelling and representation remain.

Chris Ludovici Posted on September 25, 2019September 25, 2019

Look Into “The Abyss” And See Your Own Reflection

The Abyss
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Thirty years ago, The Abyss saw James Cameron pivot away from masculine action pictures into more humanist filmmaking.

Chris Ludovici Posted on August 9, 2019August 9, 2019

Should You Be in Here Watching That?: A Look at “24 Hour Party People”

24 Hour Party People
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Michael Winterbottom’s loving tribute to the Manchester music scene still maintains its quirky-cool vibe.

Chris Ludovici Posted on August 6, 2019August 5, 2019

“True Lies” is a Messy Deconstruction of the Alpha-Male Action Hero

True Lies
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2019 is a year chock-full of James Cameron film anniversaries, and we start with one of his more flawed, but deconstructionist action flicks.

Chris Ludovici Posted on July 15, 2019July 14, 2019

Remembering the Candy-Coated Spectacle of “Speed Racer”

Speed Racer
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The Wachowskis’ kaleidoscopic 2008 adaptation of the clasic ’60s anime is as bright, bold and weird as the rest of their late-period output.

Chris Ludovici Posted on June 23, 2019August 11, 2020

Good Omens Review: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

Good Omens
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Amazon’s adaptation of the Neil Gaiman/Terry Pratchett novel is an unwieldy but charming tale of finding love in the darkest places.

Chris Ludovici Posted on May 20, 2019August 10, 2020

“Castle in the Sky” Is Miyazaki’s Swashbuckling Steampunk Adventure

Laputa: Castle in the Sky
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While it doesn’t have the reputation of Miyazaki’s later works, Studio Ghibli’s sophomore film serves as a lovely steampunk primer to the man’s filmography.

Chris Ludovici Posted on May 10, 2019August 7, 2020

“We Hate Movies” Goes Live: An Interview with the WHM Gang

We Hate Movies
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The gang behind the hit bad-movie podcast talk about their upcoming live shows, how their tastes have evolved, and crafting a comedy show in a changing cultural environment.

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Chris Ludovici Posted on April 20, 2019April 20, 2019

“Ed Wood” is Tim Burton’s Deeply Personal Ode to Filmmaking Misfits

Ed Wood Tim Burton
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Burton’s most deeply personal film is his humanistic, black-and-white celebration of the Worst Filmmaker of All Time.

Chris Ludovici Posted on March 11, 2019August 5, 2020

From Captain Marvel to Catwoman: 35 Years of Female Superheroes

Captain Marvel Female Supeheroes
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We take a look at the state of female-led superheroes up to this point, from the lows of Catwoman to the highs of Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel.

Chris Ludovici Posted on March 9, 2019March 8, 2019

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