Donald Sutherland's Finest Performances

In honor of Donald Sutherland's passing, I highlighted the actor's best films. Some are obvious choices, some a little less so. All are worth checking out.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Talking About 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,' 'Fallen Leaves' and 'Saltburn'

Been a busy stretch, so I'm only now posting this from last week. Amy Nicholson and I were on KCRW to review The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Next Goal Wins, Fallen Leaves, May December and Saltburn. Please enjoy.

'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' Review

Do we need a prequel to The Hunger Games? Probably not, but I was surprised that I (mostly) liked The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. My review is up at Screen International.

'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2' Review

I've never been the biggest fan of the Hunger Games series, so I'm not particularly heartbroken that it's coming to an end. Nevertheless, Mockingjay - Part 2 is, for my money, the best film in the series, wrapping things up confidently and darkly. I reviewed the film for Screen International.

'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1' Review

I've never quite been able to get behind the Hunger Games franchise. I like Jennifer Lawrence a lot, but the movies' post-apocalyptic landscape doesn't do much for me. And there's also the fact that the filmmakers keep stringing us along, promising big moments in future installments. I reviewed Mockingjay - Part 1 for Deadspin.

'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Review

I'm starting to think that the Hunger Games franchise is just not my thing. I liked the first movie fine, but while watching the sequel, Catching Fire, I couldn't shake a sense that I'd seen most of this before. Jennifer Lawrence might be even better this time around, but even then, I don't think that's enough. Let's hope the future films are better. My Catching Fire review is live at Screen International.

The Future Ain't What It Used to Be, 'Hunger Games' Edition

For Deadspin, I did a fun little piece in which I looked at how The Hunger Games depicts our bleak future and then compared it to other ways that sci-fi films portray the same thing. Interestingly, there seem to be some similarities across the board, including dumb clothes and silly love stories. You can read my article here.

My Back Stage Column: 'Hunger Games,' 'The Raid,' 'The Deep Blue Sea'

A lifetime ago, an actress girlfriend of mine would go to the newsstand every week to pick up the latest copy of Back Stage, which was known as Back Stage West here in Los Angeles. The reason was because of the casting and audition notices in the back of the publication; these were vitally important for her as well as her acting friends.

Ever since, Back Stage has always had a special place in my heart, so you can imagine my delight when the fine folks over there asked me to do a weekly column in which I give a quick critical rundown of all the weekend's movie offerings. Here's my first entry: It covers the big films (The Hunger Games), but it also hits the smaller indie fare, like 4:44 Last Day on Earth, Brake and The Trouble With Bliss. I hope you enjoy.

The Pressure on Hollywood's Next Generation of Stars

With The Hunger Games coming out on Friday, I was thinking about Jennifer Lawrence. Two years ago, most people didn't know her at all. Now, she's expected to be the face of what Lionsgate hopes will be a major, major franchise. And if the movie tanks -- which I really doubt -- her skyrocketing career will suddenly stall. That's a lot of pressure for an up-and-comer -- and she's not the only young actor facing this scenario. For IFC Fix, I wrote about Lawrence as well as other relative unknowns who are anchoring upcoming event movies: Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider-Man) and Benjamin Walker (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter). You can read the article here.

'The Hunger Games' Review

The wait is over: The Hunger Games comes out next Friday... and I think the movie is just OK. In fact, I was reminded of the first film I ever reviewed for Screen International, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Objectively, I knew that Goblet of Fire was "engrossing" and "well made," but I was kinda, y'know, bored watching it. It was big and spectacular and expensive-looking and just not all that involving. The Hunger Games is the same way: There's a lot of stuff in it that I liked, but there's also a lot of stuff in it that I didn't like -- and there's also a lot of stuff in it that I didn't feel one way or the other about. So, yes, I'd say The Hunger Games is a solid "OK." (Or, as Todd McCarthy calls it, a "good-enough" film.) I reviewed the film, appropriately enough, for Screen International.