Paper-thin premise frays despite the elegant presence of Keri Russell By T.T. Stern-Enzi Photo: [l to r] Jennifer Coolidge, Keri Russell and Georgia King star in “Austenland” ; Rating: PG-13 Grade: C There is something sweet and wholesome about Keri Russell – who made a name for herself on the television series “Felicity” – that’s unique and […]
A holy day in the life at the Toronto International Film Festival By T.T. Stern-Enzi Photo: [l to r] Judi Dench and Steve Coogan star in “Philomena,” a standout film at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival Almost 20 years ago, Wynton Marsalis released In this House, On this Morning, a 2-disc suite dedicated to capturing […]
The artistic life as an episode of a cable dramedy with little consequence By T.T. Stern-Enzi Photo: Julianne Moore and Greg Kinnear struggle with small town artistry in “The English Teacher”; Rating: R Grade: D Director Craig Zisk has the equivalent of a Ph.D. in TV, with a post-graduate feature film project capping off his […]
Steven Knight asks, ‘Who’s watching the watchers?’ By T.T. Stern-Enzi Screenwriter Steven Knight has the narrative nose of an investigative journalist. His screenplays for films like “Dirty Pretty Things” and “Eastern Promises” took audiences down dark alleyways complete with noirish thrills and gritty kink that tapped into our desire for raw voyeuristic experiences beyond […]
The Fifth Annual 2013 Eichelberger FilmDayton Festival By T.T. Stern-Enzi Photo: The 2012 Eichelberger FilmDayton Festival will feature “In A World …” with writer/director/star Lake Bell during the weekend of Aug. 23-25 In terms of anniversaries, the traditional symbol for the fifth year is wood. But in cinematic framework, especially when celebrating the fifth anniversary of […]
‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’ and presentism in cinema By T.T. Stern-Enzi Photo: The cast of “The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones” seeks to establish a strong franchise and storyline; Rating PG-13 I need to apologize up front for what will likely seem like a crazy rant from the geezer who refuses to keep up […]
Female sexuality as seen from the perspective of women By T.T. Stern-Enzi Photo: Aubrey Plaza re-writes the rules of female sexuality in film with “The To Do List” A funny thing happened to me while sitting through the press screening of “The To Do List” a few weeks ago. I got caught up in […]
20th anniversary of classic film By T.T. Stern-Enzi Photo: Patrick Renna calls his shot in “The Sandlot”; a 20th Anniversary screening takes place Aug. 10 at Fifth Third Field I recently learned, once again, to never under-estimate the power and appeal of a scrappy underdog. In preparation for our coverage of the 20th anniversary tour of […]
Powerful debut feature captures the complex humanity of Oscar Grant By T.T. Stern-Enzi Photo: Director Ryan Coogler seeks redemption in “Fruitvale Station”; Rating: R Grade: A When is a day in the life, not just “a day in the life” of a character? It isn’t when that day happens to be the final day, which is […]
Director James Wan uses 1970s suspense to creep us out By T.T. Stern-Enzi Photo: Vera Farmiga as a paranormal investigator in “The Conjuring”; Rating: R Grade: A- As a critic, there’s nothing better than to watch the evolution of someone in the filmmaking realm – be it a writer, director or star. But the real […]
Regional police blotters, reported and interpretedby By Ehron Ostendorf Feeding for two The owner of a store said a woman […]
For rent Can Ohio’s national park be “leased” for drilling? By Sarah Sidlow Quick quiz: name the only national forest […]
Roadside fruit stands, where art thou? By Jim Bucher Think the older you get, the more nostalgic. Guess it’s all […]
No character like McVie By Marc Katz I know, there were iconic entertainment groups that played early in their careers […]
For the love of the game Olympic athletes have big dreams, but empty wallets—Should the government step in? By Sarah […]
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