The Performance of Robert Redford’s Career

Richard Schickel / Truthdig Oct 23, 2013 The 77-year-old actor is at his smart, ironic best in "All Is Lost." Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Gandolfini, Louis-Dreyfus Charm in ‘Enough Said’

Richard Schickel / Truthdig Sep 24, 2013 The early reviews prepared me to be charmed by "Enough Said," which naturally made me uncomfortable. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Don’t Make a Phony Out of J.D. Salinger

Richard Schickel / Truthdig Sep 10, 2013 A new documentary wants to find some hidden wound that "explains" the novelist's reclusivity, but I don't think there is one. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Is College Worth It?

By Michael Lindgren Sep 2, 2013 These four books are written in the shadow of the suspicion that the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves -- concerning hard work, opportunity, meritocracy, achievement and social mobility -- somehow no longer pertain. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Pink Sari Revolution

Rayyan Al-Shawaf / Truthdig Aug 17, 2013 This is the story of India's Pink Gang, a grass-roots movement that confronts Indian officialdom over the rights of the poor and the marginalized, especially women.This book tells the story of India's Pink Gang, a grass-roots movement that confronts Indian officialdom over the rights of the poor and the marginalized, especially women. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

‘Blackfish’: What the Hell Is Sea World Thinking?

Richard Schickel / Truthdig Jul 23, 2013 By what measure of magical thinking does the occasional death or ripped-off limb seem a sensible price to pay for the queasy entertainment offered at water shows? Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

‘World War Z’: Still Fun at Twice the Price

Richard Schickel / Truthdig Jun 26, 2013 I read in the press that this movie can never, ever recoup its cost, but it does have its charms. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Joy of Singing Out of the Spotlight

Richard Schickel / Truthdig Jun 18, 2013 "20 Feet From Stardom" is a joyous documentary about the lives and careers of backup singers. It has been a long time since I’ve had so much fun at a movie. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Will There Ever Be a Great ‘Gatsby’?

Richard Schickel / Truthdig Jun 12, 2013 It’s understandable that the book has been a constant temptation to moviemakers It’s also understandable that it has never been turned into a fully successful film. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Review of the iPhone on T-Mobile: No Bullshit

Peter Z. Scheer / Truthdig Apr 23, 2013 Not so long ago, T-Mobile was suicidal. Now it wants to be the first pro-consumer cellular network. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

‘Miserables’? More Like ‘Les Middling’

Richard Schickel / Truthdig Dec 27, 2012 There are times when a cast of dozens, working intensely, is actually superior to a cast of hundreds working routinely. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

A Simple, Excellent and Surprising Film

Richard Schickel / Truthdig Dec 20, 2012 I think the message of "Amour," if it may be said to have one, is that love is sometimes -- probably rarely -- eternal.I think the message of "Amour," if it may be said to have one, is that love is sometimes — probably rarely — eternal. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )