Brian J. Roan 12/6/24 Brian J. Roan 12/6/24

The Safe Blasphemy of Conclave

Conclave fails to be as as subversive as it wants to be or as interesting as it could have been.

Brian J. Roan 10/30/24 Brian J. Roan 10/30/24

Cool Stuff, Great Stories: Birmingham Pen Company

In praise of a beautifully and thoughtfully made writing instrument.

Brian J. Roan 3/13/23 Brian J. Roan 3/13/23

Cool Stuff, Great Stories: Butter Pat Industries and Cast Iron Chris

A brief appreciation post for two great brands for those who love to cook.

Brian J. Roan 1/29/23 Brian J. Roan 1/29/23

‘Manchester by the Sea’ and the Nature of Guilt

One film finally understands the reality of finding yourself guilty.

Brian J. Roan 12/10/19 Brian J. Roan 12/10/19

The Purpose and Power of ‘A Hidden Life’

A mediation on the story of Franz Jägerstätter, Terrence Malick's dramatization of his life, and the meaning and purpose of doing good in a world that may not notice.

Brian J. Roan 3/22/19 Brian J. Roan 3/22/19

Dragged Across Concrete [Review]

Dragged Across Concrete might have the earmarks of a gross, taunting provocation, but beneath that skin is a raw beating heart and a wily, captivating mind.

Brian J. Roan 3/5/19 Brian J. Roan 3/5/19

The Standoff at Sparrow Creek [Review]

The Standoff at Sparrow Creek is a Swiss watch of style, plotting, and performance on all levels.

Brian J. Roan 10/9/18 Brian J. Roan 10/9/18

The Grey [Review]

A stark, thrilling examination of the will to survive.

Brian J. Roan 4/6/18 Brian J. Roan 4/6/18

Parenthood as the Ultimate Horror in ‘A Quiet Place’

A Quiet Place is a terrifying analogy for raising children.

Brian J. Roan 2/28/18 Brian J. Roan 2/28/18

‘Annihilation’ and the Impermanence of Self

An in-depth look at questions of identity and growth in Alex Garland’s Annihilation.

Brian J. Roan 10/3/17 Brian J. Roan 10/3/17

What’s in an Ending?

Most movies don’t actually fail solely because of how they end. Gerald’s Game is the exception.

Brian J. Roan 9/18/17 Brian J. Roan 9/18/17

No One Can Tell You What the Ending of ‘mother!’ Means

Explainer culture is ruining our curiosity for ambiguous art.

Brian J. Roan 9/15/17 Brian J. Roan 9/15/17

mother! [Review]

The ecstatic shout of a blood-drenched street preacher wielding a knife.

Brian J. Roan 6/21/17 Brian J. Roan 6/21/17

Dunkirk [Review]

A muscular, tactile bit of wartime filmmaking.

Brian J. Roan 1/5/17 Brian J. Roan 1/5/17

Silence [Review]

An epic examination of the limits and power of faith.

Brian J. Roan 11/12/16 Brian J. Roan 11/12/16

Arrival [Review]

A perfect melding of cerebral ideas and raw emotion.

Brian J. Roan 11/2/16 Brian J. Roan 11/2/16

The Monster [Review]

There are no words strong or true enough to praise the work done by Zoe Kazan and Ella Ballentine in this new film from The Strangers director Bryan Bertino.

Foreground Noise