DVD of the Week – Review of Revanche (2008)
by TOM NIXON
Tick-tocking from one to the other of its contrasting protagonists like a pendulum of doom, Revanche broods and seethes along towards its seemingly inevitable titular climax, telegraphing a surprisingly simple and conventional revenge arc before becoming a fascinating rumination on self-doubt, the ways in which guilt can manifest, the crippling emasculation of having another man (a middle-class, married man at that) stick a bullet in your girl (main protagonist Alex spends half his scenes cathartically chopping up phallic pieces of wood), or in the killer’s case firing wayward (we learn later that he is infertile). Read more 
Rewind: Films of the 60s, 70s, 80s – The Innocents (1961)
by RICHARD WINTERS
Legendary British actress Deborah Kerr plays Miss Giddens, the governess hired to care for two children at a sprawling English estate. However, the children are not exactly as they seem. Strange occurrences and behaviors begin to manifest as well as several ghostly sightings, which leads Miss Giddens into believing that the children may actually be possessed. Read more
Thinking Outside the Multiplex
by MIKE MACCOLLUM
This is another one of those weeks to be more grateful than usual for the Georgetown 14. As this week’s three big national releases do their best to eliminate any sort of variety from theaters across Indiana, the G14 will be the only theater in the state showing My Name Is Khan – the only new limited-release film opening in Indiana on Friday. But even though this is a slow week for non-blockbuster theatrical releases here, there are two film festivals in the state over the weekend, and several classic films (two of them featuring Carole Lombard) will be shown this week as well. For all of the details – and information on the new movies starting in other states – read on below. Read more
Movie Review – Up (2009)
by NIR SHALEV
Ever since Carl Fredricksen (voiced by Ed Asner) was a little boy, he was obsessed with flying. He’d always looked up to his hero Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer), who’d flown in a giant dirigible to a far off land in search of proof that he’d once discovered a new species. While playing at being the great explorer Muntz, Carl one day met another young explorer named Ellie. Over the years Carl and Ellie become best friends, lovers, and eventually spouses. They’d lived together for all of their lives, then just as Carl had been reminded of his and Ellie’s desire to be actual explorers, Ellie suddenly passed away. Devastated, Carl continued to live alone. It’s a grown-up beginning, but Pixar never, not once forgets that this film is a family oriented comedy. Read more
Oscar Season Reader Polls
by HELEN GEIB
Which movie do you think is going to win the Oscar for best picture this year? That’s right, it’s the first ever Commentary Track poll! Cast your vote in the sidebar for “The Oscar Will Go To….” In a couple of weeks, the question will change to which movie should win the Oscar (sorry, no write-ins; overlooked nominations is a whole ‘nother ballgame). After that I have a series of polls planned in conjunction with our best films of the decade project, so vote early and often – we want to hear from you! Oh, wait, that first part didn’t come out quite right…
Movie Review – Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire (2009)
by HELEN GEIB
Precious (full title: the exceedingly unwieldy Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire) is one of the minor movie sensations of 2009. Produced on a lean $10 million budget, it has already grossed more than $45 million, making it a rare indie success story and earning profits that put many of the year’s big Hollywood productions to the blush. The subject matter has attracted praise – sometimes glowing, and criticism – sometimes virulent. It received the establishment seal of approval last week when it was announced the film had been nominated for six Academy Awards: picture, director, actress, supporting actress, editing, and adapted screenplay. All of which is to say that it is no longer possible to separate the film from its critical-commercial-cultural reception. Read more
Movie Review – The Young Victoria (2009)
by HELEN GEIB
The Young Victoria is a romantic drama recounting the courtship and early married life of England’s Queen Victoria and her consort, HRH Prince Albert. Those years coincided with Victoria’s accession to the throne at 18 and her reign’s politically rocky beginning, and the film is also a historical drama about the English monarchy and English politics c. 1840. Although considerably less interesting in the latter aspect than in the former, this is an enjoyable film and refreshingly true to the facts of its famous true story. Read more
Thinking Outside the Multiplex
by MIKE MACCOLLUM
Unless Lucy somehow snatches the metaphorical football away from Charlie Brown at the last moment yet again, the American version of John Woo’s Red Cliff finally will be on at least one big screen in Indiana this week. Additionally, the first Amitabh Bachchan film of the year to hit Indy, Rann, gets a few showings at the Georgetown 14, a new Kidtoons show starts at a few theaters around the state, Crazy Heart expands in a big way (to so many theaters, in fact, that it is now beyond the scope of this column) – and there are the usual number of holdovers and special screenings as well. For all of that – and news on a few promising-sounding upcoming releases as well – read on below…. Read more
Hollywood Releases Preview – February, 2010
by HELEN GEIB
First I was too busy to write this post and then I got caught up in awards-season mania and forgot about it. Fortunately Hollywood made it easy on me with a light (eight movies strong) release schedule. There are a couple of horror film must-sees in the lineup – The Wolfman and Shutter Island – and the love in my love-hate relationship with Luc Besson will carry me to From Paris With Love, but all in all it promises to be another good month to check out what’s playing at the local arthouse. Read more
DVD of the Week – Disc Commentary Track for The Ninth Gate (1999)
by NIR SHALEV
Roman Polanski was always hit and miss with the critics but when it came to making movies, he made a great name for himself early on and managed to keep it up. One of his most unusual films, The Ninth Gate is about books and yes, the Devil. Read more