Two Takes on Allure: Not a Love Story
C. L. Illsley discusses Evan Rachel Wood’s layered performance and the ethical murkiness that permeates the film.
Articles by C.L. Illsley
The Leisure Seeker: Miles of Melancholy
Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland star in this road trip film that falls a little short despite the two stars.
Born in Flames: A Classic Rises from the Ashes
Lizzie Borden’s 1983 film explores social issues, freedom of speech, and violence through a feminist lens.
The Pulitzer at 100: A Century of Rewarding Excellence
This documentary explores the virtues of journalism through the ages and how the famous prize came to be.
Germans & Jews: Reconciling Germany’s Past
Janina Quint’s documentary is a thought-provoking look at how Jewish and German people view their past, together.
Stronger: A Survivor’s Story
Strong performances by the lead actors bring this Boston Marathon bombing story to life.
Home Again: If you could return, would you really want to?
The new film, starring Reese Witherspoon, is sweet but ultimately lacking in substance.
Logan Lucky: With A Little Luck…
Soderbergh’s latest film is a gritty heist movie set on the NASCAR racetrack.
The Trip to Spain: Cuisine, Castles, and Comedy
The third installment in Michael Winterbottom’s series finds two men taking on the Spanish countryside.
Review: The Ruins of Lifta
This new documentary presents a history of the Israeli-Palestinia conflict.
Concrete Love: The Architecture of the Böhm Family
This documentary explores not only the family business, but also the relationships that the public doesn’t usually get to see.
John Wick Chapter 2: Man on a Mission
The second instalment of this series is just as action-packed as the last.
Patriot’s Day: Boston Strong
This star-studded emotional drama depicts the events surrounding the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013.
Among the Believers Review: Religious Strife in Pakistan
This documentary sheds light on the jihadist movement present in Pakistan and how young people are being affected.
Metro: An Artistic Look at Montreal’s Underground
Nadine Gomez’s short film highlights the architectural elements of the metro, presented in stark black and white.
The Dressmaker: A Seamstress Scorned
Jocelyn Moorhouse’s new film depicts a love affair in an unlikely milieu – in an isolated Australian town.