Wiki Commons Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell in the greatest newspaper movie ever (and there have been some good ones) Once again, the News & Observer is reporting in its business pages that members of its own organization are losing their jobs. Today, 20 members of the organization were let go; an unknown number of […]
Neil Morris
Posted inCulture
RailHawks’ future in limbo as owners file dissolution papers with State of NC; 3 players head to MLS
Andy Mead/ Carolina RailHawksOne of the highlights of the 2010 season was Daniel Paladini’s celebration after his breakthrough goal against NSC Minnesota in the playoffs. Recent filings with the North Carolina Secretary of State’s office point to the impending sale and change in ownership of the Carolina RailHawks. On Dec. 30, 2010, current majority owner […]
Posted inFilm & Television
Walking the walk in stellar True Grit
True Grit opens Wednesday throughout the Triangle (see times below) Our rating: Released in 1969, the original True Grit came during at transitional stage for American cinema. In the same year that saw the release of anti-establishment films like Easy Rider, They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, The Wild Bunch and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance […]
Posted inFilm & Television
It’s good that somebody loves Phillip Morris
I Love You Phillip Morris opens Saturday in select theaters (see times below) Our rating: Just because a true story is stranger than fiction does not mean it doesn’t have to be believable. And, just because a story’s protagonist is a member of a historically marginalized group doesn’t mean he can’t be repellant. These are […]
Posted inFilm & Television
The year’s 10 best movies fused tradition and modernism
I never wanted to become that film critic. At the outset of this surprisingly laborious labor of love eight years ago, I reveled in the growth of cinematic sensibilities, theretofore weaned on the comfort food of Spielberg and Star Wars. Masters like Godard and Fellini were joined by aspirants like Ang Lee and Mike Leigh, […]
Posted inCulture
RailHawks prez Brian Wellman responds to report about future of Carolina RailHawks
Courtesy of Carolina RailHawksThe RailHawks’ Gregory Richardson, left, battles for the ball in a game against Rochester last August. In a phone conversation with Triangle Offense, Carolina RailHawks president Brian Wellman confirmed the crux of a recent report about the current struggle to keep the Cary-based professional soccer team afloat. He also revealed that the […]
Posted inFilm & Television
A thematic feast in Black Swan
Black Swan opens Friday in select theaters (see times below) Our rating: “We open … with Swan Lake. Done to death, I know. But not like this.” In a film steeped in doppelgängers, ballet director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) may as well be channeling film director Darren Aronofsky as he makes this introductoryand slyly foreshadowingpronouncement […]
Posted inFilm & Television
The Fighter is pat and derivative
The Fighter opens Friday throughout the Triangle (see times below) Our rating: The only explanation for the existence of The Fighterwhich is cut straight from the carrion of Raging Bull and Rockyis the Ben Affleck-ian belief that the world can always use another blue-collar tale set among the Boston-area Irish. The true story of boxer […]
Posted inCulture
One more for The Social Network: Southeast critics name 2010 movie awards
photo by Merrick Morton/ Columbia PicturesJesse Eisenberg (left) and Joseph Mazzello in The Social Network Today, the Southeastern Film Critics Association announced its winners for the best in movies for 2010. [This author is one of SEFCA’s 43 members.] See SEFCA’s press release below: SOUTHEASTERN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION HONORS ‘THE SOCIAL NETWORK,’ ‘THE KING’S SPEECH,’ […]
Posted inFilm & Television
James Franco is out on a limb in 127 Hours
127 Hours opens Wednesday in select theaters (see times below) Our rating: The Book of Job is the most vexing story in the Bible. In order to test his faith, God permits the righteous Job to suffer at the hands of Satan: Job loses his possessions, endures physical harm and his offspring are killed. Even […]
