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‘Diary of a Teenage Girl’ Gets Adolescent Sexuality Right
Aug 6, 2015 Few movies view sex from the perspective of a female teen; even fewer resist imposing the man-made double binds of silly virgin/stupid skank or hottie and nottie.
A ‘Trainwreck’ You Can Laugh At
Jul 17, 2015 Is the movie funny? Yes. Is it as mordant as the ruthlessly funny sketch show, “Inside Amy Schumer?”
Maybe It’s Time to Terminate
Jul 1, 2015 “Terminator Genisys” is unnecessarily complicated by so many time twists and warps that even an ardent fan of the franchise must admit that its future is behind it.
‘Inside Out’ Turns Pixar’s Usual Formula on Its Head
Jun 18, 2015 A female protagonist? And a focus on emotion? What’s going on here? Maybe the animation company has learned some life lessons.
In ‘Ex Machina,’ a Robo Babe Raises Powerful Questions
May 18, 2015 In the spirit of cautionary prophesies such as “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Demon Seed,” “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” and “Her,” Alex Garland’s provocative film raises questions of gender, ethics and existentialism.
Oscars 2013: What the Best Picture Nominees Say About America
Feb 22, 2013 If an extraterrestrial landed on Earth, "Argo," "Beasts of the Southern Wild," "Django Unchained," "Lincoln," "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Zero Dark Thirty" each would be an excellent introduction to the American character. In the aggregate, they make up a composite portrait of the country. "Argo," "Beasts of the Southern Wild," "Django Unchained," "Lincoln," "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Zero Dark Thirty" all struggle with social or political issues, making up a composite portrait of the country.
We’d Like to Thank the Academy … for What?
Feb 22, 2012 In the beginning it was called the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and/or Sciences. While its ostensible purpose was management-approved mediation, its implicit goal was to pre-empt actors, writers and directors from organizing, as carpenters, musicians and electricians had done in 1926. Statuettes were an afterthought. Is it cynical to ask whether the Academy Awards have outlived their relevance?
Where Are the Women Directors?
Jan 26, 2012 Here’s a thought exercise: In a nation where 33 percent of the Supreme Court justices are women, 17 percent of the seats in the Senate and House are held by women and 12 percent of the statehouses have female governors, what accounts for the fact that only 5 percent of movie directors in 2011 are female? What accounts for the fact that only 5 percent of movie directors in 2011 are female?