The schemer is a classic film archetype. Whether it's "Honest" John from Pinocchio, Moses Pray from Paper Moon, Howard Ratner from Uncut Gems or any of the countless other examples, there's something beguiling about a con man, a character who you love to hate. Mikey, the protagonist of Red Rocket, undoubtedly belongs in that group. He's a despicable person, but he's magnetic and somehow still likeable. You're rooting for him to fail and rooting for him to succeed at the…
Favorite films
Recent activity
AllPinned reviews
MoreRecent reviews
More-
A Child Is Waiting 1963
I still have two more Cassavetes films to watch, but of the ones I've seen so far, A Child is Waiting is the most conventional by far. So much so that it feels like the work of a different director. It's produced by Stanley Kramer and written by the guy who wrote Judgement and Nuremberg and stars the two biggest names that Cassavetes would ever work with, Burt Lancaster and Judy Garland. Thankfully, Cassavetes brings along his wife and frequent…
-
The Quiet Man 1952
I've still only scratched the surface of John Wayne's extensive filmography, but I find it interesting how strongly the films that I have seen are driven by his personality. When Wayne's character in The Quiet Man—American Sean Thornton—shows up in small town Ireland, the locals are suspicious and borderline hostile. But Thornton quickly wins them over. How? Simply by being John Wayne. It's just a given that everyone should like him, other than the antagonist of course. Similarly, though his…
Popular reviews
More-
Something Useful 2017
There's something uniquely feminine about this movie. Leyla is allowed to be intelligent and curious and self-assured while also being nurturing and kind-hearted. Canan is conflicted in a way that feels natural and not plot-driven. There are no villains. No angry screeds or violent confrontations. It's deliberately paced but never boring. Warm but not cloying. It's something special.
-
The Reader 2008
If you want me to sympathize with a Nazi, having her sleep with a 16-year-old in her 40s isn't the way to do it.
