The Invention of Capitalism Issue (Weekly Links)

Page as Whip It's whippet.

Movies I reviewed for the Herald this week.

Whip It. “Hang-loose vibe, girl-power message.”

The Invention of Lying. “Something original, and the movie’s not at all a safe bet.”

Capitalism: A Love Story. “Overall shapelessness and reliance on old tricks.”

The Boys are Back. “If only the movie had the care and discretion of Owen’s performance.”

The September Issue. “The decisiveness and drive of Gen. Patton.”

Yoo Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg. “A rewarding acquaintance.”

Zombieland. “Wink-wink zombie jokes.”

This Sunday, come by the Frye Art Museum in Seattle, 2 p.m., as I give a free lecture on the revisionist Westerns of the late 60s-early 70s. More info here.

And Rotten #4 hits comic book stores this week. Visit your retailer, and the Rotten website.

Movie Diary 9/17/2009

Capitalism: A Love Story (Michael Moore, 2009). Big subject, big target, less beard on Moore. He can’t ambush anybody anymore, because he’s who he is, and it’s hard to address the crazies when the news cycle moves so quickly. (full review 10/2)

Fear in the Night (Maxwell Shane, 1947). Very like its 1956 remake Nightmare (by the same director), this is a single-minded entry about a man (DeForest Kelley) who wakes up convinced that his murderous dream is real. Not exactly ripping, but the cheaper production values help set the mood. Based on what must be a lesser Cornell Woolrich (writing as William Irish) story.