2015 Academy Awards — Predictions and Preferences
The 2015 film year pointedly illustrates Hollywood’s strategy to save the best for last. While “Woman in Gold,” Woody Allen’s “The Irrational Man,” and “Me and Earl and the Dying … Continue reading
Golden Globe Chatter — Literally
The movie year is looking more and more like a basketball game. Only the last quarter seems to count, and little matters at all until you get to the playoffs, … Continue reading
At the Movies — 13 Films from Winter 2014-2015
As usual, film distributors are insuring against short memories and saving their best releases for the end of the year when voters consider their award choices. Among 2014 movies, one … Continue reading
Birdman — a movie by Alejandro González Iñárritu
The spirit of Samuel Taylor Coleridge has to be invoked practically every minute Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “Birdman” digitally projects on the screen. While Michael Keaton, in his best role of … Continue reading
Lend Me a Tenor — Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival
When a piece of a door breaks off after apparently being slammed one time past its tolerance, actor Perry Ojeda, playing an internationally renowned opera singer in “Lend Me a … Continue reading
The Fault in Our Stars — a movie by Josh Boone
Shailene Woodley has natural appeal. In at least three of her films — 2011’s “The Descendants,” last year’s “The Spectacular Now,” and the current “A Fault in Our Stars — … Continue reading
Chef — a movie by Jon Favreau
“Chef” has all the ingredients to be charmer, and it doesn’t disappoint. Although Jon Favreau’s movie raises questions about some aspects of its plot — A man whose comments and … Continue reading
Jersey Boys — a movie by Clint Eastwood
In dozens of speeches and articles, I’ve warned against comparing a movie to a play or either to a book. “The media, and the tools of expression needed to convey … Continue reading
Taking Home Oscar for 2013 and The Day After
Oscar night is here. Two of the six major categories, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor, are fairly predictable while the other four can go in several directions. The … Continue reading
NealsPaper 
2019 Oscars — Goodness All the Way
2019 did not look as if it was going to be an interesting, let alone an eclectic and notable film year. Until November, only Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time … Continue reading →