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Fr. Chris Carpenter

Tomatometer-approved critic
Biography:

Prior to entering seminary and becoming a Catholic priest, I studied film theory & production and theater. I won screenwriting and directing awards for several student films I made in college. I reviewed movies for The Catholic Sun in Phoenix, Arizona from 1996-2006, and now write for the Orange County & Long Beach Blade (www.gayblade.com). I also contribute weekly film, DVD & theatre reviews to www.moviedearest.blogspot.com.

Favorites:

Citizen Kane; E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial; Dancer in the Dark; Doctor Dolittle (1967); Superman: The Movie; The Wizard of Oz; Friendly Persuasion; Gone With the Wind; old Universal horror movies (Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, et al); anything by directors Robert Altman and Peter Greenaway

Critics' Group:
,
Location:

Long Beach, CA

Official Website:

http://www.catholicsun.org

Reviews

Movies 온라인카지노추천 Shows
Altered Perceptions (2023) 44% B “A timely, sexy, sci-fi mind-bender featuring a strong cast that includes Oscar nominees Eric Roberts and Sally Kirkland. It is director Jorge Ameer's most ambitious and provocative film to date.” – Movie Dearest Aug 31, 2023 Full Review Straight Men & The Men Who Love Them 3 (2014) “All in all (with the possible exception of Rubber Duckie) this collection demands checking out.” – Movie Dearest Dec 1, 2020 Full Review The Prince (2019) 93% B+ “Juan Carlos Maldonado is sexy and sympathetic in the title role, while Alfredo Castro gives a nicely nuanced performance as the cat- and boy-loving "Stud."” – Movie Dearest Nov 25, 2020 Full Review Hamilton (2020) 98% A- “Brilliantly adapted by Miranda from Ron Chernow's straightforward biographical book, it is compelling theatre imaginatively directed by Tony winner Thomas Kail.” – Movie Dearest Nov 25, 2020 Full Review The Family Tree (2020) B “While the performances in The Family Tree are at times amateurish and Ameer's dialogue can be simplistic, this is a heartfelt story heightened by its holiday setting.” – Movie Dearest Nov 25, 2020 Full Review Phoenix (2014) 98% A- “Riffs on a classic theme in significant ways that resonate beyond its melodramatic trappings. One of the best and most haunting films of 2015.” – Movie Dearest Aug 8, 2015 Full Review Best of Enemies (2015) 93% B “Engaging, but I wish the film...went more into (Vidal's & Buckley's) personal upbringings to better understand what made them tick.” – Rage Monthly Aug 1, 2015 Full Review The Outrageous Sophie Tucker (2014) 74% B “An important, generally enjoyable tutorial on a great show-woman's life. My only gripe against it is the too prominent played on film by biographers Lloyd and Susan Ecker, who also co-produced.” – Movie Dearest Jul 24, 2015 Full Review Tangerine (2015) 96% B+ “Low-budget but accomplished. The high dramatics on display are effectively told.” – Movie Dearest Jul 24, 2015 Full Review The Tribe (2014) 88% C “An intriguing setting and risky but successful no-dialogue or -subtitles approach is undermined by a dark plot that grows increasingly off-putting. The cinematography though is superb.” – Movie Dearest Jun 29, 2015 Full Review Jurassic World (2015) 72% B- “See the movie for its reptilian stars but try to ignore the humans. The retro gender politics employed are disappointing.” – Movie Dearest Jun 29, 2015 Full Review Lord Montagu (2013) B+ “In terms of revealing a bisexual man of integrity's rise from the ashes of intolerance, "Lord Montagu" is a heroic portrayal.” – Movie Dearest Jun 29, 2015 Full Review Tomorrowland (2015) 49% B “Contains enough plot mechanics and dazzling special effects to fuel a few summer blockbusters. The storyline may be too complex and mature for younger viewers. Adults and teens, however, will find much to appreciate and enjoy.” – Movie Dearest Jun 2, 2015 Full Review Marie's Story (2014) 71% B+ “Respectfully Catholic and beautifully shot. Isabelle Carre and Ariana Rivoire give stunning, physically rough and tumble performances.” – Movie Dearest Jun 2, 2015 Full Review Sagrada - The Mystery of Creation (2012) 54% A- “Fascinating. Anyone with an interest in architecture, history or religion/spirituality will find much to appreciate.” – Movie Dearest Apr 10, 2015 Full Review White God (2014) 87% B “Suffers at times from a scattershot tone...(but) Its marauding former pets and unresolved ending reminded me most of Hitchcock's "The Birds." That's certainly not a bad film to aspire to while crafting a needed cautionary tale.” – Movie Dearest Mar 27, 2015 Full Review 52 Tuesdays (2013) 90% B+ “One of the more remarkable depictions to date of a transgender person's journey. Sensitively written and naturalistically performed.” – Movie Dearest Mar 27, 2015 Full Review 4 Moons (2014) 86% B+ “Splendid and sexy.” – Rage Monthly Mar 13, 2015 Full Review The Tales of Hoffmann (1951) 85% A- “A gorgeous (2015) digital restoration. A fun, wittily directed and technically impressive achievement.” – Movie Dearest Mar 13, 2015 Full Review Eastern Boys (2013) 89% B+ “(Writer-director Robin) Campillo's script takes several surprising turns, and the film's denouement is quite touching. The film manages to be both sexy and compassionate, which makes it all the more impressive.” – Movie Dearest Feb 28, 2015 Full Review Maps to the Stars (2014) 62% C+ “A dark film to be sure, even for (director David) Cronenberg. It emerges as an unpleasant, overly harsh critique. Only Julianne Moore's knowing take on the self-absorbed, washed-up actress can be called truly significant.” – Movie Dearest Feb 28, 2015 Full Review Queen and Country (2014) 76% A- “A welcome, thoroughly enjoyable follow up (to "Hope & Glory'). John Boorman hasn't lost his touch for finding humor and even wonder in the seemingly mundane experiences of life.” – Movie Dearest Feb 28, 2015 Full Review The Last Five Years (2014) 60% A- “Excellent. In addition to the sophistication of Jason Robert Brown's songs, it uses a sophisticated dramatic device...that is pulled off beautifully. One couldn't ask for a better pairing than Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan.” – Movie Dearest Feb 13, 2015 Full Review Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine (2012) 100% A- “Proves to be the most intimate and detailed account yet of Shepard's life, death and cultural impact. (Director Michele) Josue remains impressively objective for one who was so close to her subject.” – Movie Dearest Feb 6, 2015 Full Review Zero Motivation (2014) 88% B “Recommended. A M.A.S.H-esque combination of satire and seriousness.” – Movie Dearest Jan 23, 2015 Full Review
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