Category: Reviews

Michael Clayton

~ Lincoln Spector

thriller Written and directed by Tony Gilroy Think of Michael Clayton as the flip side of Erin Brockovich. This time, the hero works for a law firm defending an evil corporate giant from the people it has poisoned. And no, you’re not supposed to root for him winning his case. (There’s an actual connection between … Continue reading Michael Clayton

Dan in Real Life

~ Lincoln Spector

Romantic comedy Written by Pierce Gardner and Peter Hedges Directed by Peter Hedges Peter Hedges does something unusual here. He puts a major comedy star (Steve Carell) into a conventional comic plot (widower with adorable kids falls in love with his brother’s girlfriend), then plays it for real emotions without worrying much about laughs. Instead … Continue reading Dan in Real Life

The Price of Sugar

~ Lincoln Spector

Documentary Written by Bill Haney and Peter Rhodes Directed by Bill Haney Catch this film if you need another reason to feel guilty about eating sweets. In fact, catch this film if you care about basic human decency. It's one of the best documentaries of the year. Billy Haney’s expose of the Dominican Republic’s sugar … Continue reading The Price of Sugar

How to Cook Your Life

~ Lincoln Spector

Documentary Written and directed by Doris Dörrie Cooking and Buddhism make a tasty combination in Doris Dörrie’s documentary. And in the world view of its subject, Edward Espe Brown--Zen master, gourmet chef, and author of The Tassajara Bread Book. The camera does little more than follow Brown as he gives cooking classes, discusses the importance … Continue reading How to Cook Your Life

Lust, Caution

~ Lincoln Spector

Period thriller Written by James Schamus and Hui-Ling Wang, from a story by Eileen Chang Directed by Ang Lee For an independent filmmaker, Ang Lee sure knows his basic commercial genres--knows them well enough to shake them up, spin them around, and turn them on their head. He’s turned the kung fu flick into romantic … Continue reading Lust, Caution

Valley of the Heart Fails to Delight

~ Lincoln Spector

Valley of the Heart's Delight Historical Drama Writer: John Miles Murphy Director: Tim Boxell There's nothing worse than panning a locally-made independent film about a fascinating but little remembered piece of Bay Area history--especially when that film is struggling to get national distribution. And it doesn't make it any easier when the film looks beautiful, … Continue reading Valley of the Heart Fails to Delight