SAG Foundation: My Conversation With Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne

I was deeply moved by The Theory of Everything when I saw it in Toronto in September. In November, I got to speak to its stars, Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne. They couldn't have been more charming. This conversation took place at the Linwood Dunn in Hollywood. My thanks to the SAG Foundation for inviting me to host this chat.

'The Better Angels' Review

I was excited for The Better Angels after being told good things from colleagues who had seen it at Sundance. Alas. The movie, which dives into Abraham Lincoln's boyhood, has a serious case of the Malicks. I explain in my Paste review.

On Christopher Nolan and 'Interstellar'

Two years ago, I wrote a glowing overview of Christopher Nolan's career. Then came The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar. Those movies aren't bad--in the binary language of film criticism, they both get thumbs-up--but there's something missing. I get into it over at Deadspin.

'National Gallery' Review

I've sung the praises of Frederick Wiseman before, but the man keeps making great movies. His latest is National Gallery. It may be a notch below other high-water marks like At Berkeley and Boxing Gym, but it's plenty enthralling. I review the documentary, which investigates the inner-workings of London's National Gallery museum, for Paste.

'Jessabelle' Review

Just in time for Halloween -- oh, whoops, that was last week -- comes Jessabelle, a rather ordinary horror movie. A woman returns to her childhood home, only to discover a phantom keeps bugging her. What does the ghost want? And how soon until this movie is over? I reviewed Jessabelle for Screen International.

Beirut 2014: 'Bird People' Review

A little bit of catch-up: Here's my review of Bird People. I missed it during its U.S. run, but I was able to see it while I was in Beirut. Glad I did: Although the movie is a misfire, it's the sort of misfire well worth seeing. My review is up at Paste.

Rock Stars Hanging Out in Horror Movies

Some fun silliness here. For Rolling Stone I helped contribute to a rundown of some of the more memorable appearances by rock stars in 1980s horror movies. Tom Waits! Debbie Harry! Even Wolfman Jack! You can read it all here.

First Aid Kit - "Cedar Lane"

Imagine if the Carpenters tried to do a cover of "Rainbow Connection" but didn't get it quite right. That's one way to describe First Aid Kid's "Cedar Lane," which I find rather enchanting.

'Interstellar' Review

It's one hell of an experience. Interstellar, the latest from filmmaker Christopher Nolan, wants to be the biggest, grandest, most emotional sci-fi extravaganza ever. The storytelling isn't nearly as impressive but, to be honest, I was willing to forgive that -- up to a point, anyway. My review, which wrestles with the film's strengths and weaknesses, is up at Screen International.

'White Bird in a Blizzard' Review

Most who caught White Bird in a Blizzard at Sundance seemed to have been left cold by it. (Har har har.) But I found this Gregg Araki film, about a teenage girl coping with the disappearance of her mother, to be uniquely affecting. Shailene Woodley continues to demonstrate why she's one of our best young actors. My review is up at Paste.

Phish - "Waiting All Night"

Like lots of people, I enjoy mocking Phish and their fans. It's easy sport, even easier because I don't think I've heard more than, like, three Phish songs in my life. So, in the interest of fairness, I'm posting "Waiting All Night," off their new album Fuego. It's perfectly pleasant.

'Citizenfour' Review

Over at Deadspin, I reviewed Citizenfour, which was a sensation at the New York Film Festival. A documentary that takes you behind the scenes when Edward Snowden first blew the whistle on the NSA, Citizenfour is quite good ... but I have a few reservations. I get into those right here.

'Force Majeure' Review

Sweden's official entry for the Oscars, Force Majeure kick-starts its plot on a split-second decision a husband makes that radically changes how his wife feels about him. (We've all been there, buddy.) My review of this character drama (or is it a dark comedy?) is live at Paste.

Beirut 2014: 'Tom at the Farm' Review

Xavier Dolan's Mommy was one of the divisive films at this year's Cannes. I haven't seen it yet, but while in Beirut I got a chance to see the movie he made right before it, Tom at the Farm, which has yet to be released in the U.S. It stars Dolan as a man grieving for his dead lover by going to the deceased's family farm. This turns out to be a very bad idea but a pretty sly film. I reviewed Tom at the Farm for Paste.

Beirut 2014: 'The Blue Room' Review

While at the Beirut Film Festival, I got the chance to catch up on a few movies that I had let fall through the cracks. One of those was The Blue Room, Mathieu Amalric's romantic thriller that just opened in the States. A whodunit with a somber air, the film plays like an unlikely companion piece to Gone Girl, which I talk about in my Paste review.

The Best Non-Disney Animated Movies on Netflix

For Playboy, I decided to to put together a handy-dandy list of great animated movies that are currently streaming on Netflix. (The catch: They couldn't come from Disney.) Some observations:

1) There are plenty of great candidates that currently aren't on Netflix.

2) Many of these are geared more to adults than kids.

3) It's a cheat, I admit, but I had to include Team America: World Police.

You can read the list here. (Don't worry: The site is SFW.)

tUnE-yArDs - "Wooly Wolly Gong"

Don't ask me my opinion of tUnE-yArDs: I simply have never been able to get a grasp on Merrill Garbus's much-acclaimed indie-rock project. Nikki Nack, her latest, continues to bewilder me months after its release--it's enchanting, sometimes aggravating, always vibrant--so this week's Friday Video is dedicated to the one song of hers I unquestionably love. It's "Wooly Wolly Gong," off 2011's Whokill.

AFI Fest 2014: Jury Duty

I'm very happy to say that I'll be part of the New Auteurs jury at this year's AFI Fest. And I'm especially pleased to be in such good company alongside Alonso Duralde, Eric Kohn and Anne Thompson. It looks like a great slate, as always. Looking forward to seeing what else is added to the festival's program in the next week or so.

My Trip to the Beirut Film Festival

Late last month, I went to the Middle East for the first time. My trip was in connection to my attendance at the Beirut International Film Festival. (I was invited by the festival to cover the goings-on.) I'll have more coverage coming soon, but in the meantime, here's an essay about my experience at the festival, which brings together Middle Eastern and Western cinema under one roof. I recommend a few gems and take in the atmosphere in this Screen International piece.

'Birdman' Review

For the first reel of Birdman, I was wowed but a bit resistant. A whole film made to look like one shot? Another story about an artist at a personal and professional crossroads? Another film from once-mighty director Alejandro González Iñárritu? Soon enough, though, I was won over. My Birdman review is up at Deadspin.