DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS (1995)
This week we're revisiting Carl Franklin's sorely under-appreciated neo-noir, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this month.
LOVECRAFT COUNTRY GETS LOST DOWN A GIANT PLOT HOLE IN "A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE"
With its weakest hour yet, Lovecraft Country turns in a story that is at turns dull, derivative, and disturbing (but not in a good way).
LOVECRAFT COUNTRY HITS ITS STRIDE, AND JURNEE SMOLLETT SHINES, IN "HOLY GHOST"
Jurnee Smollett gives a stunning performance in the strongest, most emotionally compelling episode of Lovecraft Country so far.
SPIRITED AWAY (2001)
This week we're getting Ghibli with it, as we sit down for The Unenthusiastic Critic's first viewing of Hayao Miyazaki's weird and wonderful animated classic.
WAITING FOR THE BARBARIANS (2020) LANGUISHES AT THE PERILOUS BORDER BETWEEN FILMS AND NOVELS
Great films are rarely made from great books, and Ciro Guerra's film of J.M. Coetzee's novel underlines the perils—and even the pointlessness—of many literary adaptations.
OTHER RECENT POSTS
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
AMADEUS (1984)
Rock us, Amadeus! On this week's podcast, we're composing ourselves for Milos Forman's Oscar-winning tale of music, madness, and murder.
April 26, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968)
The Unenthusiastic Critic is opening the podcast doors for Kubrick's sci-fi masterpiece, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this month.
April 19, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
ROCKY (1976) & ROCKY IV (1985)
The Unenthusiastic Critic is like Ivan Drago: whatever she hits, she destroys. This week, she's lacing up her gloves for a marquee matchup: 1976's Rocky and 1985's Rocky IV.
April 12, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
MONTY PYTHON'S LIFE OF BRIAN (1979)
This Easter, we put The Unenthusiastic Critic in the comfy chair, and had her look at the bright side of life.
April 5, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998)
This week, we're hitting the beach for Steven Spielberg's homage to the Greatest Generation.
March 29, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
HOOSIERS (1986) & ABOVE THE RIM (1994)
In a March Madness tournament for the ages, Michael and Nakea watch two of the greatest basketball movies of all time.
March 22, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
GOLDFINGER (1964)
It seems The Unenthusiastic Critic may be the only woman alive that 007 can't seduce.
March 15, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
AVATAR (2009)
This week Nakea is opening Pandora's box, and sitting down for her first viewing of James Cameron's $3 billion blockbuster. Also: Oscars talk!
March 7, 2018
MOVIE LISTS & ROUNDUPS
2018 OSCAR PICKS AND PREDICTIONS
My choices for who will win, who should win, and who must not be allowed to win at the 90th Annual Academy Awards.
March 3, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
THE GODFATHER (1972)
We're going to the mattresses—and hitting the vino—for Nakea's first viewing of Francis Ford Coppola's Oscar-winning classic.
March 2, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
BLACK PANTHER (2018) & SHAFT (1971)
This week Nakea is picking the movies, as we discuss two cats who won't cop out when there's danger all about.
February 22, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
PRIDE & PREJUDICE (2005)
It's Valentine's Day, and what woman could possibly resist Jane Austen's immortal romance? Well, maybe The Unenthusiastic Critic…
February 15, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959) & TOOTSIE (1982)
In a gender-bending double-feature, Michael is dragging Nakea to two classic cross-dressing comedies.
February 8, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
TOP GUN (1986)
This week we're flying into the danger zone, and The Unenthusiastic Critic is setting her sights on Tony Scott's ode to American testosterone.
February 1, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
THE MALTESE FALCON (1941)
The Unenthusiastic Critic goes in search of the stuff that dreams are made of, with her first viewing of John Huston's seminal film noir.
January 25, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
DEAD POETS SOCIETY (1989)
On this week's podcast, Nakea is sucking all the marrow—and most of the fun—out of Peter Weir's Oscar-winning classic.
January 18, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
MY FAIR LADY (1964)
By George, I don't think she gets it. The Unenthusiastic Critic, an avowed musical-hater, sits down for her first viewing of eight-time Oscar winner My Fair Lady.
January 10, 2018
THE UNENTHUSIASTIC CRITIC
BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985)
Where we're going, we don't need roads. It's The Unenthusiastic Critic, now in podcast form! Listen to our pilot episode, as Nakea and I sit down for her first viewing of Back to the Future.
January 4, 2018
MOVIE LISTS & ROUNDUPS
THE BEST FILMS OF 2017
In a very good year for cinema, I'm naming my top-five films in six categories: Drama, Comedy, Action, Horror, Animation, and Documentary.
December 31, 2017
DOCTOR WHO
DOCTOR WHO: THE 20 BEST STORIES OF THE MOFFAT ERA
In the second part of my retrospective on Steven Moffat's era of Doctor Who, I discuss the Moffats with the Mostest: my all-time favorite stories from Seasons Five through Ten.
December 27, 2017
DOCTOR WHO
DOCTOR WHO: THE 20 WORST EPISODES OF THE MOFFAT ERA
In the first (and grumpier) of two retrospectives on Steven Moffat's Doctor Who, I run down my 20 least favorite stories from Seasons Five through Ten.
December 22, 2017
FILM REVIEWS
A GRAY STATE (2017)
Erik Nelson's new documentary is a near perfect distillation of homegrown American crazy, and a timely look at a dark undercurrent of American culture.
October 31, 2017
FILM REVIEWS
WHOSE STREETS? (2017)
Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis' infuriating and empowering new documentary about Ferguson is essential viewing for every American.
August 27, 2017
FILM REVIEWS
LOGAN LUCKY (2017)
Steven Soderbergh is back—but have we really missed him?
August 26, 2017