Screening Log

This new site feature is a collective effort to summarize our viewing habits. Occasionally, you will find titles here that are coming to a theater near you, in addition to films viewed on television, and even films viewed in piecemeal. The screening log is archived each month; to view past entries select a month in the menu below.


February 2008 activity

Total Log Entries: 38

Total Comments: 22


Full Archive



The Golden Compass / USA / 2007

‘Perfunctory’ doesn’t even begin to cover it- without the credits this is basically a 90 minute film, attempting in that time to set up one of the most complex universes in modern fantasy literature, and tell an entertaining story. Obviously it’s the latter aim that suffers- there’s barely a scene here that lasts more than a minute, even the big action setpieces feel half hearted. It’s a sprint to the finish (which, ironically, they don’t even reach), throwing in as many of Pullman’s ideas as possible, but giving none of them the screentime or consideration they need or deserve. I wasn’t a huge fan of the books- great concepts, flawed storytelling- but there’s no reason the film adaptation should be as weak, characterless and singularly unimpressive as this undoubtedly is.

by Tom Huddleston | Source: 35mm print
04 Feb 2008 12:34 PM | Submit Comment


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