The Judge is an actor’s showcase that gets lost in the weeds of tired family dynamics and clunky subplots. There are moments when Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall are allowed to take their characters into more dangerous places, but mostly they’re just constrained by an uninteresting story. The result is a film that packs no emotional wallop and builds to a conclusion that is neither surprising nor satisfying.
Parenthood has had varying success with its season-long exploration of crumbling relationships (Amber and Ryan, Camille and Zeek, Julia and Joel). Amber and Ryan flamed out spectacularly after weeks of emotional and engaging ups and downs, while Joel and Julia’s distancing has been far less effectively portrayed, with first Julia’s and now Joel’s motivations only peripherally explored. This week, however, both remaining couples and their problems are handled well, with respect and honesty.
Katims’ choice not to end the year with the plot-heavy “Election Night” makes sense; “All That’s Left is the Hugging” is far more introspective and cathartic, seemingly tying up several of the year’s early arcs tidily while setting up the continuing storylines for what’s undoubtedly going to be a tough second half of the season.
Parenthood, Season 5, Episode 4: “In Dreams Begin Responsibilities” Written by Gina Fattore Directed by Patrick Norris Airs Thursdays at 10pm (EST) on NBC This week, on Parenthood: Victor channels his inner mechanic, Sarah and Amber almost avoid fighting, and Drew dodges the Friend Zone Parenthood has been characteristically strong this season, with a string …
Parenthood, Season 5, Episode 3: “Nipple Confusion” Written by Sarah Watson Directed by Patrick Norris Airs Thursdays at 10pm (EST) on NBC This week, on Parenthood: Drew has a terrible roommate, Sarah graduates to people, and Aida finally stops crying (temporarily) One of the greatest obstacles in relationships, according to popular wisdom, is lack of …
Over four seasons, one show that initially flew under the radar but has been steadily gaining critical and commercial acclaim is the NBC show Parenthood. With the 1989 Ron Howard film namesake serving as a loose inspiration, the story of the numerous members of the Braverman family has quietly become one of the more critically …
Hit and Run Direct byed Dax Shepard and David Palmer Written by Dax Shepard U.S.A., 2012 There is a saying that comes up seemingly every year at around this time during the summer season, something along the lines of people going through the ‘dog days of summer.’ It is late August; school shall be back …
Hit & Run Directed by David Palmer and Dax Shepard Written by Dax Shepard USA, 2012 Twenty years after his breakout hit, Reservoir Dogs, Quentin Tarantino’s influence is being felt in mainstream cinema. His penchant for hyper-literate, self-conscious characters and dialogue mixed with sudden bursts of violence has become almost commonplace in 21st-century filmmaking, but …