Tag Archives: Tom Hanks

The Circle review — Black Mirror for Dummies

Directed by James Ponsoldt | Written by Ponsoldt and Dave Eggers, from Eggers' novel | 110 min Mae (Emma Watson) is an American Girl living somewhere in America... probably California. She drives a crappy car, has a crappy job, but a cute boy, Mercer (Ellar Coltrane, of Boyhood), who builds deer antler chandeliers in his… Read More

My Problem with Forrest Gump

I hated this movie. When Forrest Gump came out 20 years ago this weekend, I was really annoyed by it. I saw it in Ottawa, and I remember exiting the cinema just cheesed off. I wasn't even sure what it was that bothered me so much, just the distinct feeling I'd been proselytized to. Next… Read More

Saving Mr Banks review

Directed by John Lee HancockWritten by Kelly Marcel and Sue SmithIn order to enjoy Saving Mr Banks, you'll need to check your skepticism at the cinema door. I'm not saying it's impossible, and I'm not saying it's recommended. It's your call.For me a little skepticism is baked in. It makes me recognize that there's something… Read More

Captain Phillips review

Directed by Paul GreengrassWritten by Billy Ray, based on the book A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea by Richard Phillips and Stephan TaltyGreengrass is the king of docu-dramatic liberal action cinema. I realize that's a bit of a mouthful, and that if I'm right about the association, the UK filmmaker… Read More

Cloud Atlas review

Written and directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski and Tom Tykwer, from the David Mitchell novel I should confess right off the top that I haven't read the book, so am coming to this film fairly blank slate. But I was impressed by the achievement here, which maybe I shouldn't be given the pedigree of… Read More