John Cusack runs for cover in 2012. By John ThomasonDirector Roland Emmerich is expert at conditioning his audiences to delight in human suffering.A purveyor of the most soulless brand of disaster porn, Emmerich’s lowbrow forte is the special-effect-hemorrhaging eradication of masses of ant-sized people, their exterminators ranging from aliens (Independence Day) to Japanese … [Read more...]
ArtsPreview 2009-10: The fall season in film
Hilary Swank. (Illustration by Pat Crowley) By Hap ErsteinIt used to be that superheroes and special effects went on vacation in the fall, but the studios seem more intent this season on making money than making art. It is hard not to notice, for instance, the barrage of vampire and assorted undead movies (Zombieland, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, The Twilight Saga: … [Read more...]