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‘Into the Woods’ nearly killed me

Normally, I’m a fair and agreeable chap who approaches each movie with an open mind. I must warn you, however, that my review of Into the Woods will be neither fair nor agreeable. I will not be fawning over director Rob Marshall, who seems clueless as to what his own movie is about, nor will I be singing the praises of Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim, who has probably written grocery lists more pleasing to the ear than these tunes. What I will be doing is trying to deconstruct one of my most grueling cinematic experiences of 2014.

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‘Into the Woods’ is more shrill than charming

Into the Woods Written by James Lepine, based on a musical by Stephen Sondheim Directed by Rob Marshall USA, 2014 What is there to say about a film that is destined to succeed in spite of its weak ambitions and generic form? Rob Marshall’s newest project, Into the Woods, has been granted a Christmas Day …

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Extended Thoughts on ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Directed by Rob Marshall Written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio Starring Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane We’ve reached the Pirates of the Caribbean finish line, and I’m exhausted. Watching Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides for the second time in advance of the podcast, I …

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‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ delivers exactly what you expect

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Directed by Rob Marshall Written by Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio USA, 2011, 136 mins. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides delivers exactly what you expect: a lot of swashbuckling, Captain Jack Sparrow’s (Johnny Depp) witticisms, tons of special effects, and pirate lore.  It sort of works …

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