A Farewell to Movie Critics

Some jaundiced thoughts on the field in which I've spent my working life. Plus a few movie recommendations.

New Reviews: "Highest 2 Lowest," "Americana," "Souleymane's Story"

Spike Lee's reunion with Denzel Washington ain't Kurosawa, but it ain't bad.

One Good Film: "Crossing" (and more)

A sweet sleeper of a Georgian movie; plus: a bonkers fascist artifact from Depression-era Hollywood, two fine new streaming releases, and a ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reminder.

Watch List Digest 8/10/25

Japanese Cinema 101, a Hollywood classic revisited, new reviews and more

Happy 75th, "Sunset Blvd."🔒

Three-quarters of a century on, Billy Wilder's classic is still a bitter, bitter pill

New Reviews: "Weapons," "Freakier Friday," and more 🔒

A stunning new horror film, a congenially plastic Disney sequel and a music doc that swoons a bit too much.

What To Watch: "Caught By The Tides" (plus: Japanese Cinema 101)

Jia Zhangke's latest is a literal career summary. Also: You have to pick ten movies to represent Japanese cinema to newcomers. Quick: what do you choose?

Watch List Digest 8/2/25

A quiet week this week. It happens.

New WaPo reviews: "Together," "The Naked Gun," "Folktales"🔒

This week: A kinda brilliant new horror-comedy, a better-than-expected reboot and Norwegians with sled dogs.

What to Watch: "Easy Living"

Jean Arthur stars in a great, underrated screwball comedy from director Mitchell Leisen.

New WaPo Reviews: "Oh, Hi!" and "Bad Shabbos"🔒

Two new comedies about love and criminal behavior. One zings, the other doesn't.

What to Watch: "Blues" in the Night

Something (streaming) for everyone: "40 Acres," "Materialists," "Drop," "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl," "The Shrouds" and "Peking Opera Blues"