February 2012

“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

February 2, 2012

To say that “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” is about 9/11 is akin to saying that “Moby-Dick” is about a whale. Yes, the attack on the Twin Towers is an essential part of the story, but it is used as a metaphor, not as a plot line. The attack provides a setting and a backdrop [...]

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Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

February 2, 2012

John Le Carre’s novels about the Cold War era are among the finest spy thrillers. His recurring espionage agent, George Smiley, is not a caricatured James Bond or a rough-and-tumble Jason Bourne. Instead,Smiley demonstrates the true complexity and moral conflict of a man who protects his country and her way of life by infiltrating and [...]

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The Artist–IS!

February 2, 2012

“The Artist” (Michael Hazanavicius, director; Warner Brothers, 100 minutes) As often is the case after the Golden Globes are awarded, viewers flocked to see this year’s winner for Best Picture the week after it was awarded to “The Artist.” Many of those viewers angrily demanded their money back within minutes of the show’s beginning. The [...]

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