Film Writings

CRITICISM

While I was working as the film critic for the Contra Costa Times (2000-2008), I reviewed about 150 movies every year. Most of these reviews vanish into the ether afterwards, although you can find at least parts of them on sites like Rottentomatoes.com. I picked out a dozen or so full reviews from the last couple of years that I thought might be worth sharing. Most are raves, although I put a few pans in here as well for fun. Reprinted with permission from the Contra Costa Times, a Media News paper.

Away From Her (2007)
Black Snake Moan (2007)
Blade Runner: The Final Cut (Rerelease, 2007)
Blood Diamond (2007)
Charlotte's Web (2006)
Children of Men (2007)
Georgia Rule (2007)
Heading South (2006)
I'm Not There (2008)
In the Shadow of the Moon (2007)
Killer of Sheep (Rerelease, 2007)
Knocked Up (2007)
Little Children (2006)
Marie Antoinette (2006)
No Country For Old Men (2007)
Ratatouille (2007)
The Lives of Others (2007)
There will be Blood (2007)
Zodiac (2007)

TOP TEN LISTS

As a critic, these were sort of the bane of my existence. The list culture bums me out. But when building this website, I realized giving you my old Top Tens lists is an easy way to share my tastes, and in a few cases, reconsider past decisions.

2007
BONUS: The 20 Films From 2007 You Probably Didn't See
But Should Have
2006
2000-2004 (lists only)

INDUSTRY NEWS

Most newspaper critics also write news stories, spinning off the day's news, and bigger feature stories. Here are links to a few of my favorites, including one that readers of "Accidentally on Purpose" might find amusing. It's that Marlon Brando piece I wrote on a day without daycare.