In-Depth Film Reviews and Style Analysis

Films are a part of our common language – our way of exploring our past, present, and future – a way of understanding and communicating our values and aesthetics. In Bounds of Cinema, I explore those elements of our world by examining both film masterpieces (or near-misses) and even those films that in many ways miss the mark of thoughtful and entertaining cinema.

  By applying my extensive experience (gosh, I’m old!) and lengthy education, I try to take apart the films I view by drawing on that knowledge to consider the various ways films touch us. First, I consider whether a film is enjoyable. That’s the basic thing: Is it satisfying a basic need? Is it intentionally funny, scary, thrilling, thoughtful, or sad. Next, I evaluate if it would be satisfying for those in the audience who are “into this sort of thing” – that is: the horror fan, the thriller fan, the mockumentary fan, the science fiction fan. Last, I look at The Big Idea because all films have a point beyond making money. Some idea is explored throughout the film, either successfully or not.