Author Archives: Bill Wren

How one romantic comedy could have been fixed

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Bill Wren

It doesn’t seem right to call this a romantic comedy but that is how most would refer to it. Probably the most frustrating thing about it is that it could have been a good romantic comedy. It had the ingredients. … Read more →

Posted in Comedy, Romance | Leave a comment

Familiarity and comfort movies

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Bill Wren

(A repost from November, 2010.) A friend of mine went to visit some friends in Edmonton a few months ago. When she returned, I asked her what she had done. “Nothing,” she said.

Posted in Comfort movies | Leave a comment

The brusque and harebrained Illegal

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Bill Wren

Edward G. Robinson was one helluva a good actor. He even makes this exercise in the absurd and perfunctory a crime drama you can watch, even enjoy at moments. Often found in film noir collections, it isn’t noir. In a … Read more →

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The bland and the beautiful

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Bill Wren

Such a study in contrasts! On TCM the other night there were a few William Holden movies running. I tuned in as they were running the marvelous Sunset Boulevard, one of my favourite movies. It was followed by the movie … Read more →

Posted in action, Romance | Leave a comment

Tedious masterpiece: The Shining

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Bill Wren

I love Stanley Kubrick but I hate his movies. Yes, hate is a bit strong. Let’s say dislike. I just find his films boring. At the same time, I find them visually brilliant and fascinating. I can’t think of any … Read more →

Posted in Drama | 2 Comments

Mumford and the art of listening

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Bill Wren

Below I refer to John Sayles but maybe the movie Mumford is more like Lasse Hallstrom amused and charmed by a Norman Rockwell America. Whatever it is, and despite a few anachronisms, I still find this movie appealing. It has … Read more →

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Predator and prey and packs in Collateral

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Bill Wren

This movie is filled with fascinating imagery as Michael Mann presents a nocturnal vision of the city that is dark and threatening. It also has a key image, the coyote, that I think many people misremember. If you look at … Read more →

Posted in Crime, Drama | Leave a comment