When St. Louis’ Pruitt-Igoe housing project was built in 1954, it was deemed to be the cure for urban blight. Some 20 years later, the entire complex was declared an inner city housing disaster, and its of 33 eleven-story residential towers were famously imploded. What went wrong? Read more>>

Steven Soderbergh’s latest — starring a women’s mixed martial arts champion — suggests that rumors of his retirement might not be premature. Read more>>

As the story goes, when director Steven Soderbergh was watching “American Gladiators” on television one evening, during a bout of women’s mixed martial arts fighting, he was so impressed by 29 year-old, raven-haired Gina Carano that he decided to develop a grim revenge thriller with screenwriter Lem Dobbs (“The Limey), casting Carano as a globetrotting lethal operative. Read more

This charming, if slight, homage to silent movies looks at a transitional era from the perspective of our own. Read more>>

I’ve heard some critics describe “The Artist,” a black-and-white silent film set in the 1920s, as “slight” and merely “a technical exercise.” While there may be some kernels of truth in these accusations, I still call it one of my favorite films of the year. Read more>>

Wim Wender’s dynamic elegy to German choreographer Pina Bausch is a milestone in 3D filmmaking.
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Shot by Wim Wenders in 3D, the film invites you to be among the dancers on the stage, to sense the spatial relationships between them, experience the extent and feel the dynamics of their movements, as they perform the ballets of the remarkable and beloved Pina Bausch.

Angelina Jolie acquits herself admirably as writer/director in this controversial, cross-cultural love story set amidst the ethnic cleansing and genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the early 1990s: Read more

Martin Scorsese’s brilliant biodoc expresses unabashed adoration for George Harrison — the man, his life, his music and his mission. And, with no apologies about it, will let you know, up close and very personal, all the reasons why.

Michelle Williams’ delicate, underplayed performance demonstrates the actress’ courage and confidence in her own talent to take herself — and her audience — inside Monroe’s fragile psyche.
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