Directed by Shane Carruth Primer opens with what has become a familiar image: young, aspirational start up employees working in their garage. Whatever they're working on doesn't much matter because soon they stumble into time travel, and of course that captures their imagination. They are Aaron (Shane Carruth) and Abe (David Sullivan), and they're almost always … Continue reading Primer (2004)
Texas
St. Nick (2009)
Directed by David Lowery Much of David Lowery's later work is present in St. Nick, an affectionately rough around the edges micro-budget debut film about two siblings who have run away from home. When we meet them they're already past the point of escape. They move around leisurely and confidently, not manic but with a deep sense … Continue reading St. Nick (2009)
Thunder Road (2018)
Directed by Jim Cummings Thunder Road is adapted from Jim Cummings' short film of the same name. This movie, in fact, begins with a recreation of that original short film, a long take of a uniformed police officer's grief and desperation at his mother's funeral (dancing to Bruce Springsteen music). This man is Officer Jim … Continue reading Thunder Road (2018)
The Old Man & the Gun (2018)
Directed by David Lowery The Old Man & the Gun is a cross between a Robert Redford homage and a David Lowery movie. This means that we get a story about a charismatic, good 'ol fashion livin' handsome bank robber complete with a purposefully 1970's aesthetic as well as a sweet, at times melancholic but … Continue reading The Old Man & the Gun (2018)
Lean on Pete (2018)
Directed by Andrew Haigh Lean On Pete sets up a certain sentimentality only to tear it down in abrupt, stark ways. You think you know where the movie is headed, but then it takes a sudden detour that feels surprising at first but overall in line with the movie's unexpected tone. It's like watching a Disney … Continue reading Lean on Pete (2018)
Computer Chess (2013)
Directed by Andrew Bujalski Analyzing Computer Chess seems a daunting thing to do. Half the people who find a way to see it will love it, and half will hate it. I fall into the former camp, but even then it's hard to figure out why it works when it does and when it doesn't work, … Continue reading Computer Chess (2013)
Support the Girls (2018)
Directed by Andrew Bujalski Support the Girls looks at a day in the life of the general manager of a Hooters-like restaurant somewhere in Texas. Regina Hall plays that manager, Lisa, who is overtired, under appreciated (by some) but nonetheless compassionate and giving to everyone around her. She is a beacon, in some ways, the … Continue reading Support the Girls (2018)
Reality Bites (1994)
Directed by Ben Stiller Set in Texas in the early 90s and co-starring Ethan Hawke, Reality Bites has a lot in common with a Richard Linklater movie, at least on the surface. This Ben Stiller-directed comedy is a post-grad story following a group of Generation X-ers, though Stiller and the studio were careful not to mention … Continue reading Reality Bites (1994)
There Will Be Blood (2007)
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the greatest working filmmakers, and many believe There Will Be Blood to be his masterpiece. I think this is an incredible movie but one which lends itself to the 'masterpiece' category. It's an ambitious story about one man, told over the course of about thirty … Continue reading There Will Be Blood (2007)
