On Being a Horror Wuss

Because it's Halloween, I decided for this week's IFC Fix column to own up to the fact that horror movies used to freak me out as a...

Back Stage: Say Hi to the Guy Who Liked 'Cloud Atlas'

This week's Screen Grab column features my reviews of Chasing Mavericks , The Loneliest Planet and Pusher . But it's led by my writ...

The Rolling Stones - "Rocks Off"

The Rolling Stones will soon be back for yet another tour . So I'm picking a personal favorite of theirs. Off Exile on Main Street , whi...

Visiting 'The Loneliest Planet'

I saw The Loneliest Planet for the first time at the Toronto Film Festival in 2011. There was one problem: Because I rushed a public screen...

'Flight' Review

Early this year, I lamented that Denzel Washington's career had fallen into a rut. I needn't have worried: Once he found the right ...

'Take This Waltz' Comes to DVD

I saw Take This Waltz at the Toronto Film Festival in 2011 and was impressed by its unpredictable, deeply affecting tone. Tomorrow, writer-...

Daryl Hall & John Oates - "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)"

My growing fondness for '80s cheese is criminal and should be brought up on charges as soon as possible.

Back Stage: Stick With the Small Stuff

This weekend has two wide releases, and I can't recommend either of them. Paranormal Activity 4 isn't up to snuff, and Alex Cross ...

Checking In With 'The Sessions'

When I saw The Surrogate back at Sundance, I liked it with some reservations. I wanted to revisit the film before it came out, and so the t...

'Paranormal Activity 4' Review

As I've mentioned before, I'm a fan of the Paranormal Activity series . So, it's no fun to report that the latest installment, P...

'Holy Motors' Sure Is Great

Yes, that's Eva Mendes lighting the cigarette of some disturbing creature in Holy Motors , the new film from French writer-director Leos...

What Am I Going to Do With You, Kevin James?

For years, I've been convinced that Kevin James could be a movie star: He's got a light touch and a sweetness that's rare. Unfor...

'Alex Cross' Review

Having never read any of James Patterson's Alex Cross novels, I can't say I have a specific vision of what the character should look...

I Heart 'Paranormal Activity'

I've reviewed every sequel in the Paranormal Activity franchise for Screen International , and I'm happy to say I'll be doing th...

The xx - "Chained"

The xx's self-titled debut was much praised -- rightly so -- but their latest, Coexist , seems less beloved. I find it quite beguiling. ...

On the Underrated 'Sinister'

Next week, Paranormal Activity 4 opens. That's become the go-to horror franchise for Halloween, but I'd like to say a few words abo...

Back Stage: A Very Good Movie Weekend, Including 'Middle of Nowhere'

This week's Back Stage column is full of choice offerings, and I'm not just saying that because four of the six films I reviewed ar...

'Shut Up and Play the Hits' Comes to DVD

Shut Up and Play the Hits chronicles LCD Soundsystem's final concert, but more than that, it dives into the mindset of front man James ...

Your Buddy Ben Affleck

With Argo about ready to come out, I decided to write about the remarkable, unlikely comeback that Ben Affleck has orchestrated over the la...

Roxy Music - "Avalon"

Like many people, I've long lamented the fact that MTV doesn't play videos anymore. But why? Were videos in and of themselves incred...

Back Stage: Oh, That 'Paperboy'

This week's Screen Grab is live at Back Stage , but right now I'd like to take a moment to single out The Paperboy , a movie that go...

'Taken 2' Review

Liam Neeson! Liam Neeson! Liam Neeson! My review of Taken 2 is up at Deadspin .

'Wuthering Heights' and Andrea Arnold

Director Andrea Arnold has made three films, each of them distinctive and resonant. Her latest, an adaptation of Wuthering Heights , impress...