David Ansen

We are the movies and the movies are us

We are the movies and the movies are us

We define ourselves, in part, by the discriminations we make. The value of what we love is enriched by our read more

We define ourselves, in part, by the discriminations we make. The value of what we love is enriched by our understanding of what we dislike.

Superbly marketed, Pearl Harbor is the very model of a modern blockbuster. Will it matter that almost nothing about its read more

Superbly marketed, Pearl Harbor is the very model of a modern blockbuster. Will it matter that almost nothing about its human drama rings true?

It's preposterous, but [director Doug] Liman gives it such a seductive, playfully hip texture that you happily embrace the fantasy. read more

It's preposterous, but [director Doug] Liman gives it such a seductive, playfully hip texture that you happily embrace the fantasy. ... Brad and Angelina are the whole show here. They bring out the best in each other.

The plethora of special effects -- some dazzling, some clumsy -- make "Harry Potter" at times resemble a generic Hollywood read more

The plethora of special effects -- some dazzling, some clumsy -- make "Harry Potter" at times resemble a generic Hollywood horror movie. That three-headed dog that stands guard over a treasure was better left to the imagination. . .