Michael Phillips – Page 114

Joaquin Phoenix in a scene from "Joker," in theaters on Oct. 4.

Joaquin Phoenix’s ‘Joker,’ debuting at Venice, looks like ‘Taxi Driver’ with echoes of Reagan and Trump

August 31, 2019 at 11:22 a.m.

A few thoughts on "Joker," from me and from Saturday's post-screening press conference featuring director and co-writer Todd Phillips and headliner Joaquin Phoenix. Here's the director describing the title character,...

Roman Polanski’s latest, a quest for justice directed by a fugitive, drips with irony. It’s also Polanski’s best since ‘The Pianist.’

August 30, 2019 at 8:16 p.m.

Director Roman Polanski can't go anywhere on the film festival circuit without provoking a typhoon of controversy since he fled the U.S. more than 40 years ago after entering a...

‘Ad Astra’ at Venice Film Festival: Brad Pitt lost in space, and in a funk

August 29, 2019 at 2:55 p.m.

A few thoughts on "Ad Astra,"which made its world premiere earlier Thursday at the Venice film festival. The title is Latin for "to the stars." The near future, as the...

VENICE, ITALY - AUGUST 29: Laura Dern, Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson attend the "Marriage Story" photocall during the 76th Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande on August 29, 2019 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)

‘Marriage Story’ at Venice Film Festival: Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver excel in a bittersweet marvel, coming to theaters, Netflix

August 29, 2019 at 11:53 a.m.

Here's the awards-season value of the Venice International Film Festival in two easy words: "Marriage Story." Thanks to the festival, now I know the name of one of the year's...

Rare, early John Belushi highlights Talia Shire’s reunion tour of ‘Old Boyfriends,’ tonight only at the Music Box

August 26, 2019 at 3:56 p.m.

"Old Boyfriends" (1979), the only feature film directed by Joan Tewkesbury, returns in a new 35 millimeter print from Rialto Pictures 7 p.m. tonight (Mon. Aug. 26) at the Music...

‘Aquarela’ review: Where the wild thing is (hint: everywhere)

August 26, 2019 at 1:49 p.m.

Roughly 71 percent of our planet's surface is covered by water in one overwhelming form or another. The mission accomplished in "Aquarela," from Russian filmmaker Victor Kossakovsky to overwhelm, and...

‘Brittany Runs a Marathon’ review: Jillian Bell excels as a trainwreck who gets back on the rails

August 26, 2019 at 11:21 a.m.

Eight years ago, Jillian Bell was playing "Girl at Shower" in the hit comedy "Bridesmaids." Now, finally, the "Saturday Night Live" writing alum and familiar supporting actress and voiceover regular...

‘Peanut Butter Falcon’ review: An emotional, modern-day Huck Finn odyssey with Shia LaBeouf and a magnetic newcomer

August 22, 2019 at 10:08 a.m.

Money's useful. But you don't need ridiculous amounts of it to make a film with interesting characters, compelling actors and a story bringing something old and something new to the...

Venice Film Festival preview: Can ‘Joker,’ Brad Pitt, Scarlett Johansson and ‘Birth of a Nation”s Nate Parker continue the festival’s hot streak?

August 21, 2019 at 3:14 p.m.

Begun in 1932, the Venice International Film Festival can be described the way "Guys and Dolls" described gambler Nathan Detroit's livelihood. It's the oldest established permanent floating crap game in...

‘Ready or Not’ review: I take this man as my lawful wedded husband. Now, hand me that crossbow.

August 20, 2019 at 10:57 a.m.

The answer to "Ready or Not" is "not." This stridently jaunty new thriller squanders a premise laid out simply in its trailers and TV spots: Grace, played by Samara Weaving...

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