Though J.R. ‘BOB’ DOBBS AND THE CHURCH OF THE SUBGENIUS throws in that now infamous quote from L. Ron Hubbard, the one about how the real money is in starting a religion not writing science fiction, this (mostly) playful, always thoughtful documentary is an unusual cautionary tale, but not for the usual reasons. Yes, it’s… Read More »
THE VOID
THE VOID is a beautifully executed horror film that pays homage to the genre’s roots while carving out its own enigmatically creepy mythos. Playing on such familiar tropes as the deserted farmhouse, the dark basement, and an axe swung with abandon, it takes place over the course of one night in a soon-to-be abandoned hospital… Read More »
GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF
Alex Gibney has proven himself an able and engaging documentarian, bringing to light with films such as TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE, ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM, and most recently THE ARMSTRONG LIE, the hubris, self-deception, and other foibles of human nature that allow people to commit crimes without ever quite admitting to… Read More »
JONESTOWN: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF THE PEOPLE’S TEMPLE
It seems odd that there hasn’t been a film made about what happened in Jonestown in 1978 since the early 80s, the events of that time put such a scar on the national psyche. Whatever the reason for that, Stanley Nelson’s JONESTOWN: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF THE PEOPLE’S TEMPLE more than makes up for… Read More »
Elizabeth Olsen & Sean Durkin on MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE
MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE are all aspects of the character played by Elizabeth Olsen in a transcendent performance. When I spoke to her and the film’s writer/director Sean Durkin on September 1, 2011, I started by asking about the choice to have Olsen’s character be mostly silent throughout the film. What followed was a discussion… Read More »