Tolkien: A Warm, Small Movie, Not an Epic of the Imagination
The biopic Tolkien is worth seeking out if your idea of a magical realm of yore is Edwardian England.
Amazon Prime Pulls back the Curtain on China’s Propaganda
The first rule of China in pop culture: Never criticize China.
The Sad Decline of the Dragon Queen
As of now, it seems that no one can truly break the wheel.
Dany Should Fire Her Advisors
This was either the worst intelligence failure of the show or one of the worst writing failures.
Shadow Is Visual Shakespeare
Zhang Yimou’s astonishing action movie makes great art of political history.
Avengers: Endgame: The Marvel Universe’s Shallow Finale
A review of Avengers: Endgame.
Olivier Assayas Confronts the Changes of the Digital Age in Non-Fiction
The French director’s latest effort ponders the dualisms of modern life, and of art.
Dennis Miller’s Anti-Anti-Trump Comedy
Miller is at his hilarious best when he gets off ancient subjects like the hassles of flying commercial and charges through the political landscape from the opposite of the usual ...
Apocalypse Now Is More Gripping Than Marvel Universe Escapism
Coppola’s final cut of his Vietnam War epic reminds adults of what real drama looks like.
Notes on the Battle of Winterfell
One of the greatest charms of the show, from the very first episode forward, was the way it treated the issue of magic and mysticism.