Reviews (Page 129)

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The Spool is an irreverent, informative source for film and television coverage, focused on diverse, thoughtful opinions that seek out a greater understanding of the media we love.

For All Mankind Review: One Giant Leap Into An Alt-Space Race

Ronald D. Moore's alt-history space race series proves to be one of Apple TV+'s most alluring offerings.

“The King” Review: Heavy is the Head That Wears the Crown

Netflix's art house take on Shakespeare's Henry plays features an all-star cast & a sumptuous production.

Filmmaker of the Month

Martin Scorsese Explored the Madness of Innovation with “The Aviator”

Scorsese recovered from the brutal conditions of Gangs of New York with an intimate, tragic portrait of the foibles of genius.

Filmmaker of the Month

Scorsese, The Band, and “The Last Waltz”

Martin Scorsese's hip, vibrant concert film The Last Waltz captures the ephemerality of The Band and its influence on the rock 'n roll stage.

Review: Emily Dickinson is America’s Original Quirky Girl in “Dickinson”

Despite the ridiculous concept and uneven tone, Apple TV+’s new comedy is a compelling watch.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Gangs of New York” Bites Off More of the Big Apple Than It Can Chew

Martin Scorsese's 2002 historical drama is big, brassy and full of great performances, but its runtime and tone leave it unfocused.

Review: Don’t Bother Getting Up for “The Morning Show”

Apple+’s new drama about the cutthroat world of TV news looks good but suffers from derivative, clumsy writing. Sunday’s New York Times featured an op-ed from none other than Mark Zuckerberg, insisting that Facebook’s curious insistence on treating websites with names like hillarydid911.freedomguns.biz as legitimate news sources is helping to improve journalism. It’s sobering to ... Review: Don’t Bother Getting Up for “The Morning Show”

Watchmen Recap: “Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship”

Episode two digs into more of the show's thematic material, as answers give way to more questions.

Columns

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

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

Dolemite Is My Name Review: Eddie Murphy Puts His Weight On It

Eddie Murphy is back, baby, in this groovy, uproarious take on the gonzo career of Rudy Ray Moore. Rudy Ray Moore is often heralded as the “Godfather of Rap” — a stand-up comic known for his pimp-tastic stage persona Dolemite, a crass, over-dressed lothario with the gift of rhythmic gab, Moore inspired everyone from Busta ... Dolemite Is My Name Review: Eddie Murphy Puts His Weight On It

CIFF 2019

CIFF 10/24: “Seahorse”, “First Rainbow Coalition”, “Vast of Night” & More

Seahorse, The First Rainbow Coalition, and debut feature The Vast of Night highlight our last day of CIFF capsule reviews.

Filmmaker of the Month

Decency is Stifling in “The Age of Innocence”

Martin Scorsese's scintillating period romance is a Victorian treatise on the sufficating gulf between desire and decorum.

Paradise Hills Review: Harajuku Gossip Girls

Emma Roberts fights the patriarchy in this trippy feminist fairy tale.

CIFF 2019

CIFF 10/23: “Wild Sparrow”, “And Then We Danced”, “Knives Out” & More

Our penultimate CIFF dispatch breaks down Rian Johnson's star-studded caper Knives Out, the Georgian queer drama And Then We Danced..., and more.

CIFF 2019

CIFF 10/22: “Painted Bird”, “Just 6.5”, “By the Grace of God”, “Hypnotist”

The Painted Bird, Just 6.5, Francois Ozon's By the Grace of God, and the documentary The Hypnotist dominate today's CIFF coverage.

Castle Rock Review: Family, Secrets and Lies Dominate Season 2

The all-encompassing Stephen King series introduces Misery and Salem’s Lot to the mix.

CIFF 2019

CIFF Dispatch: “Waves”, “Deerskin,” “The Aeronauts”, “The Prince”

Trey Edward Shults' family drama, Tom Harper's big-budget balloon thriller, and others dominate this latest CIFF dispatch.

CIFF 2019

CIFF 10/21: “My Father and Me”, “Human Factor”, “Litigante”, “Instinct”

Today's CIFF Dispatch looks at documentaries My Father and Me and The Human Factor, character drama Litigante and rape thriller Instinct.

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Scorsese Captures the Rolling Stones’ Energy in “Shine a Light”

“Shutter Island” Struggles Between Monsters and Good Men

Review: “Terminator: Dark Fate” Hits the Same Beats With New Upgrades

For All Mankind Review: One Giant Leap Into An Alt-Space Race

“The King” Review: Heavy is the Head That Wears the Crown

Martin Scorsese Explored the Madness of Innovation with “The Aviator”

Scorsese, The Band, and “The Last Waltz”

Review: Emily Dickinson is America’s Original Quirky Girl in “Dickinson”

“Gangs of New York” Bites Off More of the Big Apple Than It Can Chew

Review: Don’t Bother Getting Up for “The Morning Show”

Watchmen Recap: “Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship”

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

Dolemite Is My Name Review: Eddie Murphy Puts His Weight On It

CIFF 10/24: “Seahorse”, “First Rainbow Coalition”, “Vast of Night” & More

Decency is Stifling in “The Age of Innocence”

Paradise Hills Review: Harajuku Gossip Girls

CIFF 10/23: “Wild Sparrow”, “And Then We Danced”, “Knives Out” & More

CIFF 10/22: “Painted Bird”, “Just 6.5”, “By the Grace of God”, “Hypnotist”

Castle Rock Review: Family, Secrets and Lies Dominate Season 2

CIFF Dispatch: “Waves”, “Deerskin,” “The Aeronauts”, “The Prince”

CIFF 10/21: “My Father and Me”, “Human Factor”, “Litigante”, “Instinct”