Kôkaku kidôtai 2: Inosensu (2004)

Mamoru Oshii has transcended the boundary of strict narrative. The conventional westerner will pay attention to the laborious, and at times detached, dialogue that is typical of sci-fi and noir. One might hear a line about dog food, and mistakenly think the…

The Island

“Just because you eat the burger doesn’t mean you want to meet the cow,” says McCord (Steve Buscemi) when attempting to explain to the innocent Jordan Two-Delta (Scarlett Johansson) and Lincoln Six-Echo (Ewan McGregor) the world that benefits from their existence might not want to know…

Batman Begins

CHRISTIAN BALE stars as Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “Batman Begins.” Rachel Dawes: What chance does Gotham have, when the good people do nothing? I begin with this quote because it’s the most poorly-delivered line in “Batman Begins.” Films of this genre seem to be predisposed toward stilted dialogue… and yet, only Katie [...]

The Evolution of Cinematic Violence

Of Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, Pauline Kael wrote: The movie’s confusing — and, finally, corrupt — morality is not, however, what makes it such an abhorrent viewing experience. It is offensive long before one perceives where it is heading, because it has no shadings. Kubrick, a director with an arctic spirit, is determined to [...]

American Psycho (2000)

Initially, I felt that the irony of Patrick Bateman’s existence made most sense if it were all in his head…