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“Vanity Fair” puts a modern flair on a dusty classic

Vanity Fair
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Mira Nair turns a dreary novel into something bright and beautiful, and changed how we looked at it.

B.L. Panther Posted on January 21, 2021January 21, 2021

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is a curious thing indeed

Curious Case of Benjamin Button
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David Fincher’s syrupy historical fantasy is as sumptuously filmed as it is shallowly written.

Tim Stevens Posted on December 31, 2020December 31, 2020

“Zodiac” and the very slow walk to justice

Zodiac
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Arguably one of David Fincher’s best films, Zodiac focuses on the tedium of a murder investigation, rather than the crimes themselves.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on December 19, 2020December 19, 2020

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

“Detroit” never flinches from its real life horror

Detroit
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Kathryn Bigelow’s most recent film is a brutal, unblinking look at police brutality.

Andrew Bloom Posted on November 29, 2020November 29, 2020

“The Hurt Locker” told a starkly modern war story

The Hurt Locker
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Kathryn Bigelow’s Oscar winning drama tossed aside the bombastic, jingoistic cliches of war pictures in favor of something more chilling.

Michael Guarnieri Posted on November 21, 2020November 21, 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

In “Point Break” Kathryn Bigelow & Patrick Swayze created a great villain

Point Break
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Swayze’s thrill-seeking bank-robber is a magnetic blast to hang out with. And he’s a blinkered, reckless fool who does a massive amount of harm.

Justin Harrison Posted on November 12, 2020November 12, 2020

In “Near Dark,” being a vampire really sucks

Near Dark
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Initially a box office flop, Kathryn Bigelow’s stylish horror-Western became an iconic cult classic.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on November 6, 2020November 4, 2020

There’s plenty to admire, though little to love, in “The Loveless”

The Loveless
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Kathryn Bigelow’s directorial debut has its standout elements but is overall too detached for its own good.

Douglas Laman Posted on November 5, 2020November 5, 2020

“The Quick and the Dead” is fast on the draw & a ton of fun

The Quick and the Dead
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Sam Raimi and Sharon Stone’s quickdraw revenger is stylish and skillfully crafted.

Justin Harrison Posted on October 16, 2020October 15, 2020

“The Handmaiden” explored the passion of female friendship

The Handmaiden
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Park Chan-wook’s most recent film is an erotically charged but non-salacious look at women finding shelter & understanding in each other.

Andrea Thompson Posted on August 27, 2020August 26, 2020

In “Thirst,” forever is a mighty long time

Thirst
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Park Chan-wook’s take on vampire movies is bleak, creepy and undeniably sexy.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on August 19, 2020August 19, 2020

Joel Schumacher took a baffling trip into occult horror in “Blood Creek”

Blood Creek
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Despite its future A-list cast & spooky atmosphere, “Blood Creek” is an incoherent misstep for the versatile director.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on July 25, 2020July 24, 2020

“Phantom of the Opera” is a series of dull notes

The Phantom of the Opera
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Joel Schumacher inexplicably drained Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary Broadway musical of every bit of its camp and queerness.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on July 25, 2020July 24, 2020

“Batman and Robin” struggled under the weight of its own excess

Batman & Robin
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Joel Schumacher’s second go at the Batman franchise has its undeniable charms, but relied too much on tired stereotypes.

Andrea Thompson Posted on July 18, 2020July 17, 2020

Schumacher puts character over tension in “The Client”

The Client
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Joel Schumacher’s ninth feature adapts John Grisham’s usual action nonsense with depth & sensitivity.

Tim Stevens Posted on July 14, 2020July 14, 2020

“The Lost Boys” was horror for an overlooked audience

The Lost Boys
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Joel Schumacher’s fun, stylish take on teen vampires both ushered in “MTV horror” & acknowledged young female horror fans.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on July 8, 2020July 7, 2020

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