Lord of War

Gattaca writer-director Andrew Niccol shines his usual cynicism on the subject of gunrunning in his new film, a strange amalgam of compelling visuals and fascinating vocational details forged with deep moral ambivalence and often hollow didacticism.

"...Eamonn Walker and Sammi Rotibi. Andrew Niccol, the writer-director of Gattaca and S1mOne (as well as the writer of..."

Sept. 16, 2005 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

Anime prequel to the original Lord of the Rings trilogy

"...years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films, anime film is about the king of Rohan..."

Dec. 13, 2024 Movie Review

SXSW Film Review: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

There are stars, and then there is Nicolas Cage

"...walking into Austin's Paramount Theatre for the world premiere of his metacomedy, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, was..."

March 23, 2022 SXSW Post by Richard Whittaker

I Declare War

A bunch of sixth-graders playing capture the flag in the park lays the groundwork for a disturbingly inventive film.

"...”This is war, man. Not fucking hopscotch,” proclaims a pint-sized Patton in..."

Aug. 30, 2013 Movie Review by Steve Davis

The Constancy of Sorrow

Native Texan Kevin Reynolds taps loss of innocence, from Cold War Commies to The Count of Monte Cristo

"...their mutual 1985 breakthrough, Fandango; 1991's Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves; and, four years later, the logistically cursed and..."

May 8, 2009 Screens Feature by Marc Savlov

Dragon Wars: D-War

Based on a Korean legend, Dragon Wars is the fantasy story of a reporter who unearths the truth about catastrophic L.A. earthquakes and sets off to save the city.

"...and Craig Robinson. This South Korean pseudo-epic is some of the most ambitious crap I've ever seen. So much..."

Sept. 21, 2007 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Metacomedy makes Nic Cage the last true movie star

"...and then there are people like Nicolas Cage, star/subject of metacomedy The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Then again,..."

April 22, 2022 Movie Review by Richard Whittaker

Drafthouse Films Declares 'War'

Alamo distribution arm pick up Fantastic Fest fave 'I Declare War'

"...rights to innovative and enthralling 'kids film' I Declare War...."

Jan. 30, 2013 Screens Post by Richard Whittaker

Austin Opera Takes Aim at the Election With Its Adaptation of The Manchurian Candidate

Composer Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell shoot to thrill in their opera based on Richard Condon's Cold War classic

"...In this most unconventional of election years, why not have an unconventional opera, one..."

Sept. 16, 2016 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Master of Reality

"...to black heart in his treatise on Sabbath’s Master of Reality. Literally...."

April 18, 2008 Music Post by Raoul Hernandez

The Remains of the Day

"...Hugh Grant and Michael Lonsdale. Like most Merchant/Ivory/Jhabvala projects of late, Remains of the Day is a heady mix..."

Nov. 12, 1993 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

This adventure fantasy about a boy's involvement with a mysterious animal is also a period story about childhood anxieties.

"...Water Horse plays like a cross between a World War II-era Boy's Own adventure and Baby: Secret of the..."

Dec. 21, 2007 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

A Joycean Riff of Race

Juneteenth

"...the most important and influential American novel since World War II, and, arguably, the most important 20th-century American novel,..."

June 18, 1999 Books Feature by Mark Busby

National Lampoon's Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj

This highly unanticipated offering is cut ’n’ paste horn-dog humor.

"...the word "vagina," his work on this highly unanticipated offering in National Lampoon's current crop of collegiate cinema is,..."

Dec. 8, 2006 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

Five Decades of The Doctor

Our resident Brit examines the 50th anniversary of 'Doctor Who'

"...Fact: There are literally dozens of countries that didn't even exist when the first episode..."

Nov. 21, 2013 Screens Post by Richard Whittaker

The Good Lord Bird Swoops in for ATX TV Fest ... From the Couch!

Ethan Hawke series to headline Saturday: Plus The Mandalorian

"...days like we're all still dealing with the fallout of the Civil War and the fight against slavery, then..."

June 3, 2020 Screens Post by Richard Whittaker

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

Sloppy scripting breaks the spell of this bloated sequel

"...The third film of a planned five (good lord!) in the Fantastic Beasts..."

April 15, 2022 Movie Review by Melanie Haupt

Fables of the Reconstruction

A confidential internal U.S. memo describes a Coalition / Iraqi administration sinking into chaos

"...Bush administration continues to spin the ominous news with matter-of-fact optimism. According to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Iraqi..."

April 16, 2004 News Feature by Jason Vest

DVDanger: Of Flesh, Blood and Boners

"The Final Member" gets phallic, plus "Dracula" and "Ravenous" bite

"...errand. But what if at least a little bit of you can go on, at least after the rest..."

June 17, 2014 Screens Post by Richard Whittaker

Alas, Lord Is Upon Me

Adam 'Nergal' Darski, frontman for Polish metal titans Behemoth, talks English, Polish, and Slayer

"...frontman Adam “Nergal” Darski as patched through the L.A. office of label Metal Blade from his home in Poland...."

Jan. 7, 2010 Music Post by Raoul Hernandez

Austin Elders: Meet Mary Lou Gibson, Journalist and Austin’s Voice of Saints

A woman of hundreds of articles and few words

"...Mary Lou Gibson has one of those bell-clear voices. She was born in 1939, but..."

May 9, 2025 News Feature by Maggie Quinlan

Page Two: Earth, Stones, and Thorns of the Wild Ground Growing

The poetry of the right-wing soul: an appreciation

"..."In my hour of darkness, in my time of need," as Gram Parsons..."

Jan. 27, 2006 Column by Louis Black

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...rules violate First Amendment rights by silencing those outside of Austin, KUT reports...."

Sept. 13, 2024 News Feature

The Making of Gone With the Wind

The Ransom Center's epic retelling of how this epic motion picture came to be

"...So you think Guardians of the Galaxy was a gamble?..."

Sept. 5, 2014 Screens Feature by Robert Faires

Like, Maybe Get Your Ass Out of the House This Weekend?

Because this is the live *everything* capital of the world, after all

"...I turned 50 yesterday. So while you're busy STAYING OFF MY GODDAM LAWN, maybe check into a few of..."

June 22, 2012 Chronolog Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

Music Mo'nday: The Curious Tale of Lana Del Rey

Yeah, we're sick of her too.

"...Music would solely be judged on what comes out of the speakers. Would David Bowie have the same impact?..."

Feb. 15, 2012 Qmmunity Post by Rob Cohen

Austin at Large: Be of Good Cheer, Be Not Afraid

When venomous fear becomes a weapon, we ourselves can become the antidote

"...this is not another pep talk. I know some of you want, or need, to feel more fatalistic in..."

Aug. 13, 2021 News Column by Mike Clark-Madison

Jordan Levin on the Future of Rooster Teeth

Post-pandemic, the studio's general manager looks at the next steps

"...Rooster Teeth - the Austin-based online content leviathan he cofounded - the biggest cult no one in the city..."

July 31, 2021 Screens Post by Richard Whittaker

Ethan Hawke Pens a Valentine to Theatre in A Bright Ray of Darkness

His new novel is also a prayer for the stage and a reminder of the healing power of performance

"...The protagonist of the novel A Bright Ray of Darkness is a..."

April 23, 2021 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Chronicle Recommends: The Many Faces of Frankenstein

Celebrating the cinematic legacy of Mary Shelley's creation

"...month, the Chronicle's film critics select a theme and offer movie recommendations. In celebration of the 200th anniversary of..."

Aug. 2, 2018 Screens Post by Chronicle Film Staff

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