Dramatic Gaps and Tech Obsessions in The Shining
The unassailable influence of Stanley Kubrick’s horror staple hides its dramatic shortcomings behind an illusion of prestige.
1980s
The Horror Dysfunction of Halloween III: Season of the Witch
The infamously misunderstood Halloween III is still little more than an unrefined pseudo-thriller on its own merits, unworthy of seasonal contention.
Batman: Unfinished Business
Batman reflects the charm and the cost of a script that was not properly finished. But its lead and its meticulous visual design still enchant.
Popeye: Robert Altman – De-Animator
Robert Altman’s adaptation of Popeye feels more like a redaction. His serious silly world is more interesting as a failure than enjoyable as a living cartoon.
Conan the Barbarian: The Days of Working Out
Conan the Barbarian throws itself into the brutal past, wielding its actor’s charm like a broadsword. Only plot conventions are strong enough to hurt him.
Dragonslayer: Fairytale Performance
Dragonslayer has the texture of the old fables. It finds adventure in a stricken world, including a lot of horror for the characters. And delight for us.
My Neighbor Totoro: Magic Perspective
My Neighbor Totoro may not be Miyazaki’s best work, but it’s his quiet thesis. And one of the most magical things ever drawn.