Thoughtful reviews, the Boulder film scene

" I know a guy married the same dame 3 times then turned around and married her aunt "
— William Demarest, The Lady Eve

MRQE Top Critic

Betty Blue

There can be beauty in tragedy, particularly when the key ingredient is the same in both —Marty Mapes (review...)

Betty arrives like a bolt from the Blue

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Alexander Payne

  • Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)

    Kikuchi, Treasure Hunter Review by Marty Mapes: A little long and convoluted, but it has a good heart and an absurdist wit

  • Nebraska (2013)

    Dern drives into Nebraska Review by Robert Denerstein: Dern's somber performance anchors Payne's latest foray into the Midwest

  • The Descendants (2011)

    Review by Marty Mapes: Clooney holds his tribe together

  • Cedar Rapids (2011)

    Heche and Helms are impressed by Cedar Rapids Review by Marty Mapes: Cardboard caricatures of midwesterners make for a few easy laughs

  • Sideways (2004)

    Giamatti inspects the wine front back and Sideways Review by Marty Mapes: Not quite perfect, but full bodied with lots of subtle overtones

  • About Schmidt (2002)

    Nicholson tells us all About Schmidt Review by Marty Mapes: Because of Payne's sacrifices to comedy, he doesn't deserve someone as good as Nicholson in the lead

  • Election (1999)

    Review by Marty Mapes