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philip seymour hoffman

PSH adds a dose of comedy to a sweetly old-fashioned drama

Nobody's Fool
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Nobody’s Fool features a late-in-his-career Paul Newman at his best, and Bruce Willis when he still cared.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on January 24, 2021January 24, 2021

PSH is marvelous in “The Big Lebowski”

The Big Lebowski
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Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the ultimate lackey in The Coen Brothers’ gleefully silly stoner comedy.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on January 18, 2021January 18, 2021

P.S.H. I Love You: PSH steps behind the camera in “Jack Goes Boating”

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Philip Seymour Hoffman stepped behind the camera one time for this thin adaptation of the Robert Glaudini play.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on January 11, 2021January 11, 2021

“State and Main”‘s main problem is it’s in a sorry state

State and Main Philip Seymour Hoffman
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Philip Seymour Hoffman is a breath of fresh air in David Mamet’s limp showbiz dramedy.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on December 28, 2020December 28, 2020

P.S.H. I Love You: “Along Came Polly” doesn’t shart the bed

Along Came Polly
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Philip Seymour Hoffman’s riotous Sandy Lyle elevates the schlocky aughts rom-com to a deeply silly delight.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on December 14, 2020December 14, 2020

There’s not much to love “When a Man Loves a Woman”

When a Man Loves a Woman
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Co-written by Al Franken, this romantic drama pits Meg Ryan and Andy García against alcoholism—and a bad script.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on December 7, 2020December 7, 2020

“Doubt” casts a shadow, but not the darkest one

Doubt
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John Patrick Shanley’s Catholic Church-set drama is mildly effective and well-acted but too tidy for its subject matter.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on November 30, 2020November 30, 2020

“Montana” is a little flat, a little rocky

Montana
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Jennifer Leitzes’ only feature is an uneven genre piece with a good few moments, some thanks in part to Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on November 23, 2020November 23, 2020

“Mary and Max” combined stubby designs with sleek emotions

Mary and Max
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Adam Elliot’s claymation offering was Philip Seymour Hoffman’s only animated film, but it’s as thorough as his other efforts.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on November 16, 2020November 16, 2020

P.S.H. I Love You: “The Party’s Over” captures election-era anxiety

The Party's Over
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The sequel to 1992’s The Last Party sees Philip Seymour Hoffman reflects the polarized politics of 2020 through the 2000 race.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on November 3, 2020November 3, 2020

P.S.H. I Love You: “The Savages” shows us the aches of aging

The Savages
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Philip Seymour Hoffman gives us one of his most achingly heartfelt performances opposite Laura Linney in Tamara Jenkins’ family drama.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on October 26, 2020October 26, 2020

P.S.H. I Love You: Hoffman serves up sleaze in the middling “Red Dragon”

Red Dragon
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Try as he might, Philip Seymour Hoffman can’t lend enough sleaze to Brett Ratner’s Hannibal Lecter sequel to make it feel less like a bland retread.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on October 19, 2020October 19, 2020

P.S.H. I Love You: “My Boyfriend’s Back” finds fun in its zombified mess

My Boyfriend's Back Philip Seymour Hoffman
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This spooky season, we glance back at one of two horror movies Philip Seymour Hoffman did.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on October 12, 2020October 12, 2020

P.S.H. I Love You: Avoid the trip to “Cold Mountain”

Cold Mountain
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Philip Seymour Hoffman does his level best to elevate Anthony Minghella’s Oscar-friendly Miramax Western, but even he can’t save it.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on October 6, 2020October 6, 2020

P.S.H. I Love You: Stealing every scene in “Mission Impossible III”

Philip Seymour Hoffman Mission Impossible III
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Philp Seymour Hoffman takes a rote villain role and goes toe-to-toe with megastar Tom Cruise in J.J. Abrams’ Mission: Impossible III.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on September 28, 2020September 28, 2020

“Almost Famous” is still even-keeled escapism

Almost Famous
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Cameron Crowe’s rock and roll dramedy may not be the most realistic tale, but it’s a keen mix of chaotic and crowd-pleasing.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on September 21, 2020September 19, 2020

P.S.H. I Love You: “25th Hour” grapples with our fragile lives

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Philip Seymour Hoffman lends remarkable texture to Spike Lee’s 25th Hour, a film in mourning over New York and the fleeting nature of being.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on September 8, 2020September 8, 2020

“Synecdoche, New York” is an excruciating, exciting trip to nowhere

Synecdoche, New York
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Charlie Kaufman’s minimalist meditation on mortality is as hard to get through as it is oddly rewarding.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on August 31, 2020August 31, 2020

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