Toronto 2025: 'Hamlet' Review

When Riz Ahmed's modern-day take on Hamlet premiered in Telluride, the reviews were mixed, even dismissive. I caught up with the film here in Toronto, and I actually quite dug it. I explain why over at Screen International. 

Denzel Washington, Comic Actor

We don't think of the two-time Oscar-winner as a versatile comic star, partly because he's done so few out-and-out comedies. I looked into the lighter side of the actor on screen for Cracked.

Sundance 2021: 'R#J' Review

Romeo and Juliet is endlessly adaptable, right? Well, what if Shakespeare's great love story took place in the era of TikTok and FaceTime? For Screen International, I reviewed the unconvincing R#J. 

'Hermia & Helena' Review

One more review from the recent Locarno in Los Angeles film festival. I'd heard great things about Matías Piñeiro's Hermia & Helena, which concerns two young women (neither of them named Hermia or Helena) and their romantic travails. Shakespeare buffs will recognize the allusion, but even if you don't, that won't hamper your enjoyment of this lovely little drama. My review is up at Paste.

'Romeo & Juliet' Review

This ain't your father's Romeo & Juliet, which I suppose was the Baz Lurhmann version from the '90s. Starring Hailee Steinfeld of True Grit fame, this faithful, tasteful adaptation of the Shakespeare tragedy seems to be targeting English teachers who can play it for their classes to supplement the reading of the play. It's a perfectly acceptable film, I suppose, but I couldn't summon up much passion for it either way. My review is up at Screen International.