Keith Carpenter
@keithcarpenter.bsky.social
I’m over here now
New York based art and social critic.
New York based art and social critic.
One Battle After Another 4/4: And while it may be too early to anoint Paul Thomas Anderson as this moment’s Harriet Beecher Stowe, the film will certainly fall on the right side of history.
September 27, 2025 at 2:52 AM
One Battle After Another 4/4: And while it may be too early to anoint Paul Thomas Anderson as this moment’s Harriet Beecher Stowe, the film will certainly fall on the right side of history.
One Battle After Another 3/4: The film is a neo-abolitionist story updated for the 21st century struggle through its portrayal of underground railroad networks that protect the most vulnerable from abuses perpetrated by the state. It’s a sobering snapshot of where things stand today.
September 27, 2025 at 2:52 AM
One Battle After Another 3/4: The film is a neo-abolitionist story updated for the 21st century struggle through its portrayal of underground railroad networks that protect the most vulnerable from abuses perpetrated by the state. It’s a sobering snapshot of where things stand today.
One Battle After Another 2/4: The film’s story is the right one for the right time. It’s one of a revolutionary struggle between good and evil, where the latter has all the advantages. But audiences will root for the underdog-protagonists as they persevere with grit, ingenuity, and spirit.
September 27, 2025 at 2:52 AM
One Battle After Another 2/4: The film’s story is the right one for the right time. It’s one of a revolutionary struggle between good and evil, where the latter has all the advantages. But audiences will root for the underdog-protagonists as they persevere with grit, ingenuity, and spirit.
Weapons 2/2: The film also cleverly plays with the timeline and uses different perspectives that make the plot and the characters feel whole. The technique allowed for multiple examples of satisfying character development. Finally it masterfully balanced its finale with resolution and mystery.
August 11, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Weapons 2/2: The film also cleverly plays with the timeline and uses different perspectives that make the plot and the characters feel whole. The technique allowed for multiple examples of satisfying character development. Finally it masterfully balanced its finale with resolution and mystery.
Eddington: 5/5. Frankly, these depictions struck me as being below the visionary caliber of someone like Aster. However, the film was certainly well produced and provided for some thrilling moments. I will certainly view Aster’s next film. But next time, it needs to carry its own weight.
July 23, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Eddington: 5/5. Frankly, these depictions struck me as being below the visionary caliber of someone like Aster. However, the film was certainly well produced and provided for some thrilling moments. I will certainly view Aster’s next film. But next time, it needs to carry its own weight.
Eddington: 4/5 The observations made about this period felt like lazy and tired tropes. It oozed of the kind of false equivalency that has platformed so many nefarious actors in the name of pursuing neutrality at cost of objectivity.
July 23, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Eddington: 4/5 The observations made about this period felt like lazy and tired tropes. It oozed of the kind of false equivalency that has platformed so many nefarious actors in the name of pursuing neutrality at cost of objectivity.
Eddington: 3/5 It promised to force an uncomfortable reckoning with the events of 2020. In this sense, the film was disappointing. It offered no new commentary regarding the public health and social issues on which it focused.
July 23, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Eddington: 3/5 It promised to force an uncomfortable reckoning with the events of 2020. In this sense, the film was disappointing. It offered no new commentary regarding the public health and social issues on which it focused.
Eddington: 2/5. I too deferred to Aster and concluded the film was respect-worthy, but it had simply gone over my head. Eddington is where this deference ends. The film bills itself as a tense thriller, daring to go where others haven’t.
July 23, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Eddington: 2/5. I too deferred to Aster and concluded the film was respect-worthy, but it had simply gone over my head. Eddington is where this deference ends. The film bills itself as a tense thriller, daring to go where others haven’t.