Atonement

Joe Wright has fashioned an epic piece of moviemaking from Ian McEwan’s novel: Starring Keira Knightley, the film is consumed with the nature of storytelling and the moral responsibility of the storyteller.

"...and spectacle, but it's also something of a showboat; Atonement is more effective when it doesn't so aggressively show..."

Dec. 14, 2007 Movie Review by Kimberley Jones

Atonement, Etc. -- Top 10-plus, Special 2002 bonus edition

Books for which we confess our true feelings, reconsider our disdain, or finally find room: top 10-plus, 2002 edition …

"...Atonement (Doubleday) by Ian McEwan: This hyped and acclaimed novel..."

Jan. 3, 2003 Books Feature

Million Man Mayhem

A Day Of Atonement Turns Into Protest

"...entire crew was fresh from the National Day of Atonement observance on the steps of the state Capitol, where..."

Oct. 24, 1997 News Column by Kayte VanScoy

Hanna

Hanna is a through-the-looking-glass, arthouse action minimasterpiece.

"...minimasterpiece, Hanna couldn't be a more surprising departure for Atonement director Wright had it been titled Pride & Extreme..."

April 8, 2011 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

Robert Jensen Cancels Thanksgiving

"...Jensen where the reactionary lefty calls for fasting and atonement in lieu of Thanksgiving. We're reminded of Stephen Colbert,..."

Nov. 21, 2006 News Post by Wells Dunbar

Broken Bridges

At first glance, Toby Keith drama Broken Bridges is about reconciliations; really, though, the movie is about the cross-marketing potential of contemporary country music full of cliché and contrived music performances.

"...straightest and most predictable line – from estrangement to atonement and on to redemption – leaving no cliché untouched...."

Sept. 8, 2006 Movie Review by Josh Rosenblatt

New Austin Music Worth Your Bandwidth This Week

What we’re listening to

"...Atonement (Hex Records)..."

Oct. 16, 2020 Music Feature by Kevin Curtin

Cyrano

Musical rewrite of the tragic love triangle never hits the high notes

"...in the hands of ever-erratic Joe Wright (Anna Karenina, Atonement, Pan), who injects horny, corny musical theatre-kid energy into..."

Feb. 25, 2022 Movie Review by Kimberley Jones

The Equalizer 2

Denzel Washington action sequel is a total misfire

"...McCall’s dedication to his neighbors suggests an act of atonement, but atonement for what exactly? He clearly does not..."

July 20, 2018 Movie Review by Matthew Monagle

My Gear: Exhalants Max Out

Austin punk trio celebrates its Atonement with a very loud gear spread

"...In September, having just released their punishing sophomore platter Atonement – "packs a lot of 'tone,'" opined the Chronicle..."

Nov. 6, 2020 Music Column by Kevin Curtin

New Austin Music Worth Your Bandwidth This Week

What we’re playing

"...pink, blue, and black vinyl of September's Hex Records-issued Atonement, Exhalants' latest dose of crushing noise-punk builds anticipation for..."

July 24, 2020 Music Feature by Kevin Curtin

Troubles in the Blood: The Irish Roots of Vampire Drama Sunrise

Director Andrew Baird on its immortal and universal themes

"...movie about?’” Baird recalled, “and he said, ‘It’s about atonement.’ I didn’t really agree, because what is Fallon atoning..."

Jan. 19, 2024 Screens Post by Richard Whittaker

No Man's Land

Well-intentioned cross-border drama finds humanity on all sides

"...border into Mexico, determined to find some sense of atonement far away from the family he feels he betrayed...."

Jan. 22, 2021 Movie Review by Matthew Monagle

The Aftermath

Keira Knightley and Alexander Skarsgård are stuck inside of Hamburg with the Casablanca blues

"...her in other, better period costumes such as in Atonement. Lewis is rarely out of his drab uniform but..."

March 29, 2019 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

Passengers

Bound for a distant planet, two persons awake prematurely

"...– coursing the acknowledgment of guilt, the seeking of atonement – is a classically tested model. Passengers doesn’t pretend..."

Dec. 23, 2016 Movie Review by Kimberley Jones

Brooklyn

When looking homeward do we glance toward the past or the future?

"...teenage assassin in Hanna or the false accuser in Atonement.) There’s a beguiling simplicity in Ronan’s performance here, especially..."

Nov. 20, 2015 Movie Review by Steve Davis

Testament of Youth

The luminous Alicia Vikander stars as a woman coming of age amid World War I

"...of Joe Wright’s version of Western Front atrocities in Atonement. But there’s nothing lacking in Vikander’s stubborn, compassionate performance...."

July 3, 2015 Movie Review by Kimberley Jones

Anna Karenina

Joe Wright's bold but empty imagining of Tolstoy's classic is set mostly within the walls of a theatre.

"...but empty imagining of Anna Karenina, director Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride and Prejudice) sets the action mostly within the..."

Nov. 30, 2012 Movie Review by Kimberley Jones

X-Men: First Class

The origins of the bad blood among Marvel's mutants is explored in this new film from the franchise.

"...expectations further by enlisting two arthouse hotties, James McAvoy (Atonement) and Michael Fassbender (Hunger), to portray youthful versions of,..."

June 10, 2011 Movie Review by Kimberley Jones

The Lovely Bones

Peter Jackson forgets to imbue his living characters with emotional weight, and instead focuses on this story's visually stylized netherworld between life and death.

"...most compliant and integrative. Ronan, as she demonstrated in Atonement, is one of the most accomplished young actors of..."

Jan. 15, 2010 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

A Decade Under the Influence

The 'Chronicle' movie critics take a look back at what the Aughts wrought

"...Atonement's cut-diamond first third..."

Dec. 25, 2009 Screens Feature by Kimberley Jones

The Soloist

Although Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. are terrific in the leads, this drama plays its tune with a heavy hand.

"...success with the British costumers Pride & Prejudice and Atonement, seems on less sure footing in his first American..."

April 24, 2009 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

There Will Be Film

2007 opens up a vein of cinematic riches

"...7) Atonement..."

Jan. 4, 2008 Screens Feature by Marjorie Baumgarten

There Will Be Film

"...9) Atonement British period dramas usually set off my internal snooze..."

Jan. 4, 2008 Screens Feature by Marjorie Baumgarten

There Will Be Film

"...10) Atonement More intimate than epic in scope, this cerebrally satisfying..."

Jan. 4, 2008 Screens Feature by Steve Davis

The Lookout

The Lookout, an odd caper story, marks Scott Frank’s directorial debut after years of working as a screenwriter on movies like Get Shorty and Out of Sight.

"...to imagine George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez ruminating on atonement in the trunk of a getaway car. But then,..."

March 30, 2007 Movie Review by Josh Rosenblatt

The Aura

A sure winner for arthouse audiences with crossover appeal, Fabián Bielinsky's The Aura spins a purely enjoyable web of intrigue within a meditative, dreamlike setting.

"...takes its time, as well, weighted by themes of atonement and moral choice, like the “thrillers” of Claude Chabrol...."

Jan. 26, 2007 Movie Review by Marrit Ingman

Meet the New Neighbors

A fugitive sect of Mormon polygamists is building a home – and an end-time temple – in the West Texas town of Eldorado

"...marriage, child brides, sexual assault, virulent racism, brainwashing, blood atonement, money laundering, and welfare fraud, among others, have trailed..."

July 29, 2005 News Feature by Jordan Smith

On the Lege

The Democrats watch in shock and awe as the GOP mangles its own re-redistricting crusade

"...he expected it to meet on the Day of Atonement but made a point to add his own, rare..."

Oct. 10, 2003 News Column by Michael King

Naked City

Chasing Gary, Part 2

"...billed the event as a local "holy day of atonement." But a solemn tone never really took over the..."

Oct. 24, 1997 News Feature

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