Will Ross
Helping people say No
April 7, 2013The fictionalization of Chilean political campaign becomes meta self-commentary By Will Ross Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures At first glance, it’s easy to dismiss No as a member of a long line of platitudinous films dramatizing social and political movements of the 20th century. Films like Gandhi and Milk too often reduce their complex political atmospheres to simplistically motivated acts of martyrdom and common-sense morality, and mistake condescension for sympathy. Yes, No is one of those films. No, it should not be dismissed, at least not for that. In 1988, Chilean dictator Augustus Pinochet caved to global political pressure and…
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Film Fatale: Irredeemable, Foodfight is the film equivalent of waterboarding
March 31, 2013By Will Ross Rarely do I call a movie unwatchable, but for Foodfight I will make an exception. I’ve racked my brains, but can’t find a way to explain Foodfight. I mean I can give you a synopsis: it’s an…
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Peakcast #7
March 19, 2013This week, editors David Dyck, Alison Roach, Will Ross, and Bryan Scott discuss the SFSS election results and SPORTS! With special guests Clay J. Gray and Adam Ovenell-Carter.
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Five double features from beyond the stars
March 10, 2013Cosmic journeys through classic cinema By Will Ross Movies set in the wild black yonder of space are a rare thing. Good ones are even rarer. But the sci-fi sub-genre’s traditional association with grindhouse cin- emas and multi-part epic franchises…
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Getting agro over Argo et al
February 26, 2013By Will Ross The Oscars were almost over when their insidiousness reached its peak. First lady Michelle Obama was brought in to present best picture, delivered some platitudes about how these films prove “love can endure against all odds” etc.,…
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Side Effects may include subversion
February 17, 2013Soderbergh’s latest turns film conventions inside out By Will Ross Photo courtesy of Di Bonaventura Pictures Whether or not it’s Steven Soderbergh’s final theatrical feature, Side Effects may be his most quintessential work, the one best suited for explaining his…
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Hansel and Gretel is a grimm slog
February 3, 2013By Will Ross Photos by David Yanchick If your film takes place in a medieval fantasy world and features shotguns, record players, and defibrillators, don’t expect your audience to take it seriously, and for heaven’s sakes, don’t take it seriously…
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Peakcast #2
February 1, 2013Editors David Dyck, Will Ross, and Daryn Wright discuss the end of the Waldorf and chit chat about Tiki bars, Game Boys, and possible podcast subjects.
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Watch first, judge later
January 27, 2013The reaction to Zero Dark Thirty has been plagued with unfounded accusations By Will Ross Were you not already embroiled in the controversy surrounding Zero Dark Thirty, a political thriller based on the search for and assassination of Osama bin…
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Lincoln boldly challenges a broken world
November 26, 2012Spielberg's latest feature succeeds as more than a biopic By Will Ross Even Steven Spielberg’s detractors agree on this much: his movies make people feel good. But those critics insist that he is too eager to please; an empty moralizer;…
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