Explosive Wu Xia Action
I am not, in general, a kung fu fighter. That’s not to say that I can’t get into the balletic precision and athletic exuberance that imbues top-notch martial arts movies. […]
Author Archives: Evil Genius
This Double Feature is Not as It Seems
There is, perhaps, a thin film of deception spread across the skein of the world. What you see with your eyes, what your ears alert you to, what your grubby […]
Holy Motors: The Play’s the Thing
In Holy Motors, M. Oscar opens his file to find who he should be next. Is it performance or is it life? It seems “yes” is the answer. Now count how […]
The Steven Soderbergh Trifecta
From his first proto-indie, art house feature (Sex, Lies, and Videotape) to his big budget Hollywood successes (Ocean’s Eleven) to his bizarre experimental stuff (Full Frontal), I’ve consistently queued up to see Steven […]
The Sky(fall) is (sky)Falling
It’s hard not to like James Bond films—particularly if you are now or once were a teenage boy. James Bond has been, for 50 years, an icon of suave, seductive […]
Molto Bene Double Feature
Before last week, I’d never been to Italy. Now, with 10 days roaming about Florence under my belt (most of that is pasta weight), I’m eager to share my new […]
Lincoln: You’re Gonna Die
Hello! I have returned from Italy! Did you miss me? Can you pretend like you missed me? Just a little? Despite my intentions, I did not make it to the […]
I Burn For You: The Passion of Joan of Arc
Not so crazy about digital projection? Feeling put out by post-converted 3D crap? Having trouble watching action films without falling into some sort of strobe-induced seizure? What you need is […]
Vote Warren Beatty Double Feature
So, who are you voting for? Obama? Boooooring. I’m voting for Warren Beatty. Since the 1960s, this tussle-haired thespian has been all up in politics’ business. He’s been active on behalf […]
Exclusive Interview with The Bay Screenwriter Mike Wallach
What’s the matter? Isopod got your tongue? Hey, it could happen. At least, it might happen if we don’t get good and scared by what’s happening in places like Chesapeake Bay […]
A True-True Cloud Atlas Review Yarned Across Time and Space
Recently, your valiant Stand By For Mind Control editors attended an early screening of Cloud Atlas, the new film by the Wachowskis and Tom Twyker. We thought it would be […]
I Will Happy You to Death!
I pose you this riddle: “Are you serious?” I am talking about the trailer for this film, which, I am lead to believe is: a) a horror movie, b) called Smiley, […]
Argo
The tensest part of Argo came thirty minutes in, when I thought, “Did I leave the BBQ on?” That tension lasted through Ben Affleck’s last lingering close-up when I found […]
Seven and a Half Psychopaths
There was a time, not so long ago, that I was looking forward to Seven Psychopaths. Director Martin McDonagh’s last film, In Bruges, was dark, twisted, offensive, and generally good […]