From the monthly archives:

September 2009

Inglourious Basterds

September 24, 2009

“Inglourious Basterds.” Quentin Tarantino, director. Weinstein/Universal, 152 minutes.
In one of his early, low-budget films, Alfred Hitchcock cast himself in two minor roles to avoid paying an extra actor, and a tradition was born. His famous walk-ons continued in almost every film, first because he superstitiously believed it contributed to his success, and later as an [...]

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Julie & Julia

September 24, 2009

“Julie & Julia.” Nora Ephron, director. Columbia Pictures, 123 minutes.
“Julie & Julia” is two stories in one, both of them true. In 2002 Julie Powell (Amy Adams) was in a funk, working for an insurance company dealing with survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and looking for something meaningful to do with her life (that [...]

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My Sister’s Keeper

September 24, 2009

“My Sister’s Keeper.” Nick Cassavetes, director. Curmudgeon Films, 109 minutes.
After Cain kills his brother Abel in a fit of rage, God asks him where his brother is (as if God didn’t already know…). Cain’s response has sparked debate and influenced public policy for millennia: “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Good question. Are we responsible for the [...]

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