The Art of Self-Defense

Jesse Eisenberg excels as the mouse that roars in this karate black comedy

"...Directed by: Riley Stearns. Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Alessandro Nivola, Imogen Poots, Steve Terada and Phillip Andre Botello...."

July 12, 2019 Movie Review by Matthew Monagle

Disobedience

Rachel Weisz explores the complexities and joys of choice in Britain's Jewish communities.

"...Directed by: Sebastián Lelio. Starring: Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams, Alessandro Nivola, Anton Lesser, Bernice Stegers, Nicholas Woodeson, Liza Sadovy..."

May 11, 2018 Movie Review by Steve Davis

Spin Me Round

Lumpen anti-rom-com won't turn heads

"...Directed by: Jeff Baena. Starring: Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Alessandro Nivola, Molly Shannon, Tim Heidecker, Zach Woods, Fred Armisen,..."

Aug. 26, 2022 Movie Review by Richard Whittaker

Howl

Howl is a must-see for Beat freaks and poetry geeks but might not be an enriching experience for newcomers to the work of Allen Ginsberg.

"...James Franco, David Strathairn, Jon Hamm, Bob Balaban and Alessandro Nivola. Although never anything less than ambitious, Howl fails..."

Nov. 12, 2010 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

The Eye

In this Hong Kong horror remake, Jessica Alba stars as a blind violinist whose cure turns out to be worse than the disease.

"...by: David Moreau and Xavier Palud. Starring: Jessica Alba, Alessandro Nivola, Parker Posey and Rade Serbedzija. Note to Hollywood:..."

Feb. 8, 2008 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

The Many Saints of Newark

Nothing holy about this Sopranos prequel

"...Directed by: Alan Taylor. Starring: Michael Gandolfini, Alessandro Nivola, Jon Bernthal, Billy Magnussen, John Magaro and Leslie..."

Oct. 1, 2021 Movie Review by Beth Sullivan

The Neon Demon

Cinema's bad boy, Nicolas Winding Refn, strikes again

"...Bella Heathcote, Karl Glusman, Keanu Reeves, Desmond Harrington and Alessandro Nivola...."

June 24, 2016 Movie Review by Josh Kupecki

Ginger & Rosa

The personal becomes political in Sally Potter's story about a girl who comes of age in England during the early Sixties.

"...Directed by: Sally Potter. Starring: Elle Fanning, Alice Englert, Alessandro Nivola, Christina Hendricks, Timothy Spall, Oliver Platt, Annette Bening..."

April 12, 2013 Movie Review by Kimberley Jones

Coco Before Chanel

Before she became a world-renowned brand, Coco Chanel was a girl of few prospects but with lots of pluck.

"...Directed by: Anne Fontaine. Starring: Audrey Tautou, Benoît Poelvoorde, Alessandro Nivola, Marie Gillain and Emmanuelle Devos. Before her name..."

Oct. 16, 2009 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

Goal!: The Dream Begins

From East L.A. to the soccer fields of England, this rags-to-riches story sticks closely to the sports movie formula.

"...Directed by: Danny Cannon. Starring: Kuno Becker, Anna Friel, Alessandro Nivola, Stephen Dillane, Marcel Iures, Sean Pertwee and Kieran..."

May 12, 2006 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

Junebug

With this film built on a host of remarkably nuanced Southern characters, first-time filmmaker Phil Morrison announces himself with assurance and uniqueness of vision.

"...Phil Morrison. Starring: Amy Adams, Embeth Davidtz, Ben McKenzie, Alessandro Nivola, Frank Hoyt Taylor, Celia Weston and Scott Wilson...."

Sept. 2, 2005 Movie Review by Kimberley Jones

The Clearing

Despite the contributions of Robert Redford, Helen Mirren, and Willem Dafoe, The Clearing is a psychological thriller sans suspense.

"...Jan Brugge. Starring: Robert Redford, Helen Mirren, Willem Dafoe, Alessandro Nivola, Matt Craven and Melissa Sagemiller. From both its..."

July 9, 2004 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

Laurel Canyon

"...Starring: Frances McDormand, Christian Bale, Kate Beckinsale, Natscha McElhone, Alessandro Nivola, Louis Knox Barlow, Russell Pollard, Imaad Wasif, Mickey..."

April 11, 2003 Movie Review by Kimberley Jones

Face/Off

Exhilarating performances from Cage and Travolta, as well as Woo's tremendously enjoyable action set-pieces make this a very entertaining action film.

"...Starring: John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Joan Allen, Gina Gershon, Alessandro Nivola, Dominique Swain, Nick Cassavetes and Harve Presnell. A..."

July 4, 1997 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

SXSW Adds 102 Movies to 2019 Film Festival Lineup

After Us, what else does the film fest have in store?

"...in a local dojo, led by a charismatic Sensei (Nivola), in an effort to learn how to defend himself...."

Jan. 16, 2019 SXSW Post by Richard Whittaker

SXSW Film Goes Right to the Moon

Apollo 10 1/2, Sandra Bullock, and more join movie list

"...devolves into chaos and catastrophe. Cast List: Alison Brie, Alessandro Nivola, Aubrey Plaza, Molly Shannon, Zach Woods, Ayden Mayeri,..."

Feb. 2, 2022 Screens Post by Richard Whittaker

Going on the Offensive With The Art of Self-Defense

Jesse Eisenberg navigates the hierarchy of martial arts

"...to learn to protect himself. But the nameless Sensei (Alessandro Nivola) and his loyal lieutenant Anna (Imogen Poots) have..."

March 8, 2019 Screens Feature by Richard Whittaker

You Were Never Really Here

Joaquin Phoenix and Lynne Ramsay renew the revenger's tragedy.

"...Ekaterina Samsonov, John Doman, Alex Manette, Dante Pereira-Olsen and Alessandro Nivola...."

April 13, 2018 Movie Review by Richard Whittaker

A Most Violent Year

Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain anchor this simmering drama set in the semi-lawless New York City of 1981.

"...Isaac, Jessica Chastain, Albert Brooks, Elyes Gabel, David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Christopher Abbott and Jerry Adler...."

Jan. 23, 2015 Movie Review by Kimberley Jones

Selma

Although it's dramatically uneven, this film is a commendable historical drama about Martin Luther King Jr. that sidesteps the common pitfalls of adulatory biopics.

"...Winfrey, Lorraine Toussaint, Giovanni Ribisi, Keith Stanfield, Niecy Nash, Alessandro Nivola, Dylan Baker and Martin Sheen...."

Jan. 9, 2015 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

American Hustle

It's all about the hair, the performances, and the grift and graft in this unpredictable new offering from David O. Russell.

"...De Niro, Michael Peña, Elisabeth Röhm, Jack Huston and Alessandro Nivola...."

Dec. 20, 2013 Movie Review by Steve Davis

SXSW Picks & Sleepers

Picks & Sleepers

"...chords, and lovely harmonies. The L.A.-based act played hunky Alessandro Nivola's band (along with Barlow) in the film Laurel..."

March 19, 2004 Music Feature

Jurassic Park III

"...Directed by: Joe Johnston. Starring: Sam Neill, Trevor Morgan, Alessandro Nivola, Téa Leoni, William H. Macy and Michael Jeter...."

July 20, 2001 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

Love's Labour's Lost

"...Directed by: Kenneth Branagh. Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Alessandro Nivola, Geraldine McEwan, Carmen Ejogo, Emily Mortimer, Nathan Lane,..."

Aug. 4, 2000 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

Mansfield Park

Jane Austen's third novel is infused with liberal doses of modern attitudes and autobiographical tidbits from the author's life.

"...Directed by: Patricia Rozema. Starring: Frances O'Connor, Embeth Davidtz, Alessandro Nivola, Jonny Lee Miller and Harold Pinter. Jane Austen's..."

Dec. 31, 1999 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

All Wrapped Up

From biopics to end-of-day thrillers, a look at the films you'll be standing in line for this Christmas.

"...D: Patricia Rozema; with Frances O'Connor, Jonny Lee Miller, Alessandro Nivola, Embeth Davidtz, Harold Pinter...."

Nov. 26, 1999 Screens Feature by Marjorie Baumgarten

October Previews

"...D: Mike Barker; with Reese Witherspoon, Alessandro Nivola, Josh Brolin...."

Sept. 10, 1999 Screens Feature

November Previews

"...D: Patricia Rozema; with Frances O'Connor, Jonny Lee Miller, Alessandro Nivola, Embeth Davidtz, Harold Pinter...."

Sept. 10, 1999 Screens Feature

Hot Movie Previews

Sneaking Into Summer

"...John Woo; with John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Joan Allen, Alessandro Nivola...."

May 23, 1997 Screens Feature by Marjorie Baumgarten