Tokyo Story

What We Don’t Say

A film essay by: Witney Seibold

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            The journey on the road of cinema, if traveled long enough, will eventually lead you to the greats. (more…)

Published in: on September 28, 2007 at 9:17 pm Leave a Comment

Resident Evil: Extinction

Resident Evil: Extinction

Film review by: Witney Seibold

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            The previous film in the “Resident Evil” series was subtitled “Apocalypse.” This one is subtitled “Extinction.” Following that throughline, if there is (heaven forbid) a fourth film in this series, the inevitable title will be “Resident Evil: O.k., The Earth Just Blows Up.” (more…)

Published in: on September 26, 2007 at 1:27 am Leave a Comment

Inland Empire

Inland Empire

Film review by: Witney Seibold

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 “I can’t tell if it’s yesterday or tomorrow, and it’s a real mindfuck.” 

                                                -Laura Dern in “Inland Empire

(more…)

Published in: on September 20, 2007 at 9:18 pm Leave a Comment

Dreamgirls

Dreamgirls

Film review by: Witney Seibold

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Bill Condon has a deep love of musicals and musical theater. He wrote Rob Marshall’s “Chicago,” loved by the Academy and most of the world, although not by me. He loves bright lights, loud music, and dramatic bombast, usually only found on the stage. (more…)

Published in: on at 9:17 pm Leave a Comment

Children of Men

Children of Men

Film review by: Witney Seibold

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            In 2027, women have become barren. No one knows why, and, at this point, no one much cares anymore. (more…)

Published in: on at 9:16 pm Leave a Comment

Across the Universe

Across the Universe

Film review by: Witney Seibold

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            I recently wrote an essay on Shakespeare in film, and I cited Julie Taymor’s first feature “Titus” as a triumph of the genre. Taymor is a talented director, and an endlessly creative designer. (more…)

Published in: on September 17, 2007 at 9:28 pm Leave a Comment

Shoot ‘Em Up

Shoot ‘Em Up

Film review by: Witney Seibold

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“Fuck you, you fucking fucker.”

                        -Mr. Smith (Clive Owen) in “Shoot ‘Em Up”

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Published in: on September 13, 2007 at 9:37 pm Leave a Comment

Venus

 Venus

Film review by: Witney Seibold

jodie_whittaker3.jpg            Any television or theatrical previews you may have seen for “Venus,” would have you believe it’s another delightful droll British romantic comedy along the lines of, say, “Love, Actually.” See the octogenarian and the twentysomething fall in love! See how he teaches her small pieces of wisdom, and she brings him new life! (more…)

Published in: on September 12, 2007 at 11:59 pm Leave a Comment

3:10 to Yuma

3:10 to Yuma

Film review by: Witney Seibold

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            I have to state right away that I have notoriously been unable to enjoy most westerns. (more…)

Published in: on September 11, 2007 at 9:55 pm Leave a Comment

Pan’s Labyrinth

Pan’s Labyrinth

Film review by: Witney Seibold

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            Guillermo Del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth” is a fantasy film for adults; a film that has the usual fantasy trappings of mazes and monsters and spells and intricate insular rules that the heroine must follow or else be killed/eaten/denied her rightful place on the throne, and combines them with the harsh realities of coping with a new family, budding sexuality, clinging desperately onto one’s own childhood, and, biggest of all, facing the violence of real-life war. It is one of the best films of 2006.

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Published in: on at 9:54 pm Leave a Comment