Movie review by Greg Carlson John Crowley’s film of Colm Toibin’s popular novel “Brooklyn” features a tremendous Saoirse Ronan – whose thoughtful and inviting presence is more than enough to recommend the movie, despite some of its easy calculations. As Eilis Lacey, a young woman who leaves her home and family in Enniscorthy, Ireland for […]

Movie review by Greg Carlson Belinda Sallin’s documentary “Dark Star: H.R. Giger’s World” captures the Swiss artist near the end of his interesting life. Giger, who rocketed to international fame and Oscar glory for the iconic designs he contributed to Ridley Scott’s “Alien,” died in 2014 at the age of 74. Sallin, given full access […]

Movie review by Greg Carlson Like hapless novelty salesmen Jonathan (Holger Andersson) and Sam (Nisse Vestblom), filmmaker Roy Andersson clearly just wants to help people have fun. Completing his “Living” trilogy – which also contains the brilliant pair “Songs from the Second Floor” (2000) and “You, the Living” (2007) – “A Pigeon Sat on a […]

Movie review by Greg Carlson Celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Back to the Future,” Jason Aron’s crowdfunded documentary “Back in Time” tries unsuccessfully to capitalize on the blockbuster’s enduring appeal. Released online for “Back to the Future Day,” October 21, 2015 – the date selected in the sequel by Marty McFly to go and save […]

Movie review by Greg Carlson Made in part to capitalize on nostalgia for its source material, “Jem and the Holograms” is considerably less entertaining than many of the animated episodes of the original series that aired in first-run syndication from 1985 to 1988. Directed by Jon Chu, the live action “musical fantasy” borrows a number […]