Category Archives: de Poetica

45 Years: “Go Now”

Posted on January 10, 2016 by Robert Asahina

Has there ever been a more devastatingly effective use of a pop song in a movie sound track? Or a more quietly shattering portrait of a marriage?

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Ray Harryhausen, R.I.P.

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Robert Asahina

The master of stop-motion special effects, who influenced Lucas, Spielberg, and Cameron, dies at 92.

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The five best films of 2012

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Robert Asahina

5. Killing Them Softly: “Fly coach.”

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Etta James, R.I.P.

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Robert Asahina

The singer of “At Last” and other songs dies at 73.

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A morally thrilling crime thriller

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Robert Asahina

When violence erupts in Animal Kingdom, it literally explodes on screen. No stylish slow motion, no hipster grand guignol, just lethal brutality, swiftly administered with casual and sickening indifference.

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The Golden Globes: Why ‘The Social Network’?

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Robert Asahina

The Social Network is a fine movie, but is it really better than The King’s Speech? Or The Fighter? Or True Grit? Or Blue Valentine?

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The Golden Globes: Four words about ‘Black Swan’

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Robert Asahina

Showgirls. For intellectual wannabes.

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