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As a novel, David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas is a work of sprawling, ambitious complexity linking six stories over three centuries. The film adaptation is equally sprawling and ambitious but makes little sense.

Jake Blumgart

Nov 20, 2012 Articles 5 minute read

Affleck in Khomeini's shadow: Where are you, Stanley Kubrick?

Ben Affleck's "Argo': CIA in Iran

How not to make a movie

Ben Affleck's Argo, about the real-life rescue of six U.S. embassy personnel from Iraq in 1980, begins promisingly as a satire on Hollywood filmmaking and CIA ineptitude but soon settles into Hollywood formula. Despite Affleck's liberal bona fides, it's finally a contribution to political reaction.

Robert Zaller

Nov 20, 2012 Articles 7 minute read

"Skyfall': The allure of James Bond

We expect you to die, Mr. Bond â€” but not just yet

Why do we still care about James Bond? The films are mostly disappointing, and the Ian Fleming novels are downright embarrassing. No matter: We Americans are hopelessly hooked on British suavity and probably always will be.

Jake Blumgart

Nov 19, 2012 Articles 4 minute read

Better to die in combat, or in a hospital?

TV's 'Walking Dead': Why kill zombies?

Revenge of the couch potatoes

Why do some 10 million Americans watch “The Walking Dead,” the violent zombie TV series on the American Movie Classics channel? Well, what could be more satisfying than vicariously murdering death?

Rick Soisson

Oct 23, 2012 Articles 3 minute read

Phoenix (above) could have taught Brando about physicality. (Photo: Phil Bray.)

Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master' (2nd review)

The American Dream as nightmare

Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master hauntingly juxtaposes two stories of American madness in the aftermath of World War II, one about a berserk veteran and the other about a cult leader. With a superb Philip Seymour Hoffman, and an astonishing Joaquin Phoenix.

Robert Zaller

Oct 16, 2012 Articles 7 minute read

Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master' (1st review)

Is this Citizen Kane, or The Lost Weekend?

Contrary to its misleading title, The Master isn't about a false messiah but about one of his pathetic acolytes. Director Paul Thomas Anderson seems not to understand that sumptuous photography and penetrating acting are no substitute for story.

Susan Beth Lehman

Oct 06, 2012 Articles 4 minute read

Gere (top), Sarandon: Not quite Master of the Universe.

Nick Jarecki's "Arbitrage'

The cost of doing business

Nick Jarecki's debut film is a slick Wall Street drama with a police thriller grafted on. Are Wall Street's Masters of the Universe destined to get away with everything forever? Apparently; but they do pay a price.

Robert Zaller

Sep 30, 2012 Articles 5 minute read

Robinson (right) with Burstyn in 'Gardens': Only the strong survive?

'Marvin Gardens' and Woodstock's lost innocence

Life imitates art: The lost lady of Marvin Gardens

In The King of Marvin Gardens I sensed Bob Rafelson flinging his seasoned assessment of Nixon's America into America's teeth. Perhaps tellingly, the adults involved in this dark and quirky film subsequently flourished, while its only cast member from the Woodstock/Aquarius generation perished.

Bob Levin

Sep 15, 2012 Articles 8 minute read

Kelly hogged the lamppost but shared the dancing opportunities.

"Singin' in the Rain' turns 60

A musical that keeps growing on you

What's so special about Singin' in the Rain? No one perceived this musical comedy about the dawn of talking pictures as a classic when it opened in 1952. Two things explain why its popularity continues to grow, 60 year after its premiere.