AltWeeklies Wire
'Sherlock Holmes' and 'Nine': Downey Shines, Day-Lewis is Atrociousnew
Daniel Day-Lewis may normally choose parts in which he can do no wrong, but as the tormented film director in Rob Marshall’s musical, he doesn’t come close to drinking anyone’s milkshake. And since Guido is the essence of the story, that makes Nine a bright, shiny snooze.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
12-31-2009 |
Reviews
Up in the Air: A Big-hearted Film about Corporate Downsizingnew
Ryan Bingham spends nearly his entire year traveling, hopping from company to company in his position as a "career-transition counselor," and he likes it that way.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
12-07-2009 |
Reviews
Ricky Gervais Wreaks Havoc with Theology in 'The Invention of Lying'new
The film's unfortunate veers are nicely countered with a bit of subversion in which Mark, to soothe his mother and then the rest of the world, makes up the ideas of heaven, hell, and a "man in the sky." Yes, folks: Here, God is a lie, and those who believe otherwise are portrayed as fools.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
10-15-2009 |
Reviews
Toil and Trouble: 'Extract' and 'My One and Only'new
Mike Judge has another workplace comedy; My One and Only is simply belabored.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
09-04-2009 |
Reviews
Bankers Are the Enemy in Two Subprime Filmsnew
Your neighborhood bank may have long lines, employ irksome tellers, and consistently screw up your balance. But at least it never tries to murder you, right?
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
02-12-2009 |
Reviews
'Last Chance Harvey': Mid-Wife Crisisnew
If you're letting the Golden Globe nominations of Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson for their performances in Last Chance Harvey convince you that this is a great movie ... well, just consider that the Hollywood Foreign Press also regarded Mamma Mia! as one of the best films of 2008.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
01-15-2009 |
Reviews
'Revolutionary Road' is an Uneasy Reunion for Winslet and DiCaprionew
Onscreen, the familiarity of their coupling only highlights Revolutionary Road's bleakness: Even if the boat hadn't gone down in Titanic, the film tells us, these lovebirds were still doomed.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
01-08-2009 |
Reviews
'Yes Man' Isn't Exactly 'Liar Liar,' but It's Closenew
Even though the lesson gets a little heavy-handed, the film is full of goofy, joyful moments, anchored by the sweet chemistry between Carrey and Deschanel as well as a life-affirming message that everyone could use these days.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
12-18-2008 |
Reviews
'Seven Pounds': Hoping Strategiesnew
Will Smith's latest finds a way to be optimistic without turning him into a ham.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
12-18-2008 |
Reviews
'Azur & Asmar': Middle Eastern Promisesnew
French writer-director Michel Ocelot has injected a message about racial and religious tolerance into his otherwise nursery-school simple feature, so there's a bit of a twist in the boys-rescues-girl climax that provides a teachable moment.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
12-11-2008 |
Reviews
'War Child' is Too Self-Congratulatory to Truly Engagenew
C. Karim Chrobog's debut feature documentary follows Emmanuel Jal, now based in London, as he travels to the United States to lecture and perform -- mostly for young international audiences with more liberal guilt than rhythm -- and later returns to Sudan for the first time in 18 years.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
12-04-2008 |
Reviews
'I've Loved You So Long': The Lady Banishesnew
I've Loved You So Long wouldn't be much of a movie if its climax were more important than the nearly two hours of quieter drama that precedes it.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
11-20-2008 |
Reviews
'Bolt' and 'JCVD': Star Stucknew
Two films take a smirking glimpse into the limitations of fame.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
11-20-2008 |
Reviews
'Quantum of Solace' and 'My Name Is Bruce': Staid in Characternew
Bond's latest and Bruce Campbell's self-satire prove it's hard to escape old personas.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
11-13-2008 |
Reviews
'Pride and Glory' and 'The Unknown Woman': Crime-Honored Traditionsnew
A pair of films get some extra mileage from thriller retreads.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
10-23-2008 |
Reviews
