Reel Reviews

Zero Dark Thirty -- Depending upon your politics, you may be predisposed to hate this movie before the first scene. But a more practical reason to hate this movie might be its simple banality. Certainly that’s true in the early torture scenes; it’s surprisingly easy to be blase about the evils men do, especially this many years down the line. There’s also a certain predictability--even beyond the already well-known endgame--that pervades much of this film’s story structure. I certainly wouldn’t call it a Best Picture worthy film, despite the nomination, but it’s probably worth your time, perhaps to be watched with a certain amount of clinical detachment. I guess that’s the cost of doing business within the notorious muddle this film seeks to depict. Posted 8/21/13.

Reel Reviews

Zombieland -- This is hardly earth-shatttering stuff. No one was going to be played off at the Oscars for their work in this film. But it's exactly the kind of movie that even the snootiest, most elitist film buff needs to see every so often--a weird, violent, somewhat unhinged work of straight-up cinematic fun. Special props for one classic cameo, and for a closing sequence at an amusement park which is just the kind of inspired, mayhem-packed payoff everyone was waiting for. Indeed--besides zombies, who needs brains? Posted 7/9/11.

Reel Reviews

Zathura -- Standard issue, mild juvie entertainment, with a half-and-half feel. Some good stuff (nice visuals, some nice character moments, a blissful lack of skateboards), some bad (the kids are a little grating, the usual product placements). Blend it together an you get a decent, though not especially engaging, movie. Kids will probably like it; if you're uncritical, maybe you will too. Posted 9/30/06.

Reel Reviews

Zero Effect -- Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller as a postmodern Holmes and Watson. Most of this movie flies below the radar; things get confused and unfocused when the narrative tries to take a drastic dramatic turn, but most of the movie sticks to providing a healthy dose of knowing smirks. Give it a chance and let it do its work. Posted 3/28/04.

Reel Reviews

Zelig  -- It's a brilliant concept for a movie: retelling the forgotten story of a "chameleon man" of the '20s and '30s in a "mockumentary" style. The execution is uneven; occasionally it reaches hilarity, though for most of its length Zelig simply maintains an even (though funny) keel. Interestingly, though it is now twenty years old, the movie's period focus--and purposely aged look--keep it from looking overly dated. If only Woody Allen's whole career could have kept itself so fresh. Posted 7/13/03.