“The Great” rewrites history with tongue firmly in cheek

russia Archives - The Spool

“The Great” rewrites history with tongue firmly in cheek

The Favourite screenwriter Tony McNamara gives the same farcical treatment to Catherine the Great, to largely wry results.

Cannes 2019

Cannes Review: “Once in Trubchevsk” Uses Domestic Conflict as Cultural Wallpaper

Larisa Sadilova's probing drama highlights small-town Russian culture through an opaque lens.

Meeting Gorbachev Review: Herzog Makes the Political Too Personal

Werner Herzog's look at the Soviet Union's last leader is fascinatingly apolitical, but lacks insight as a result.

Unraveling pop-culture one thread at a time

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.

Doc10 2019

Doc10 Dispatch 4/14: “The Distant Barking of Dogs”, “The Biggest Little Farm”

Chicago's documentary film festival comes to a close with docs on the war in Ukraine and a cute little farm in SoCal.

Hunter Killer Review: Gerard Butler Sinks In this Throwback Sub Thriller

The latest mid-budget Gerard Butler vehicle might thrill those who clamor for the return of the 90s submarine thriller, but doesn’t offer much else. This..

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