Looking Closer with Jeffrey Overstreet

This is — or, rather, will soon be — the new and improved version of Looking Closer with Jeffrey Overstreet. It's a work in progress, but in the days ahead you'll see me building a new archive the reviews, interviews, and most memorable posts from the original version of Looking Closer that ran from 1999–2023, and was most recently hosted at Wordpress.

More and more titles will become live links to newly annotated versions of early reviews.

· 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016): original review

· 12 Years a Slave (2013)

· 13th (2016)

· 127 Hours (2010)

· 1917 (2019)

· 20th Century Women (2016)

· 2001: A Space Odyssey (re-release) (1968)

· 2046 (2004)

· 21 Grams (2003)

· 24 Frames (2018)

· 28 Days Later (2003)

· 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2006)

· 8 1/2 (1963): a Filmwell dialogue

· A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)

· A Beautiful Mind (2001)

· A Brighter Summer Day (1991)

· A Ghost Story (2017)

· A Hidden Life (2019)

· A History of Violence (2005)

· A Mighty Wind (2003)

· A Quiet Passion (2017)

· A Quiet Place II (2021)

· A River Runs Through It (1992)

· A Scanner Darkly (2006)

· A Serious Man (2009)

· A Star is Born (2018)

· A Thousand and One (2023)

· A Very Long Engagement (2004)

· Abigail Harm (2012)

· Adaptation (2002)

· Alien: Resurrection (1997)

· All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

· All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (2024)

· All the Pretty Horses (2000): annotated review

· Amazing Grace (2019)

· Amistad (1997)

· Amores Perros (2001)

· Amour (2013)

· Anchorman (2004)

· Anger Management (2003)

· Another Year (2010) – reviewed alongside “Win Win”

· Ant-Man (2015)

· Apocalypse Now Redux (2001)

· Apocalypse Now: Final Cut (2019)

· April and the Extraordinary World (2016)

· Are You There, God? It’s Me Margaret (2023)

· Argo (2012)

· Army of Shadows (1969)

· Arrival (2016)

· As It Is In Heaven (2014)

· Ash is Purest White (2019)

· Assault on Precinct 13 (2005)

· At the Death House Door (2008): a guest review

· At the Edge of the World (2008): a guest review

· Atanarjuat – The Fast Runner (2001)

· Atlantis: The Lost World (2001)

· Avatar (2009)

· Awake My Soul (2006): reviewed alongside Homemade Hillbilly Jam, We Are Together

· Bacarau (2020)

· Babe: Pig in the City (1998)

· Babel (2006)

· Babette’s Feast (1987), and other food-related films

· Babies (2010)

· Baby Driver (2017)

· Bacarau (2020)

· Barbie (2023): three-part coverage — Part One, Part Two, Part Three

· Batman Begins (2005)

· Battle in Seattle (2007)

· Be Cool (2005)

· Be Kind Rewind (2008)

· Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)

· Before Midnight (2013) – An All-Thumbs Review and a Capsule Review

· Before Sunrise (1994)

· Beginners (2010)

· Bella (2007)

· Best in Show (2000)

· Bewitched (2005)

· Birdman (2014)

· Black Panther (2017)

· Black Swan (2010)

· Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

· Blue Jasmine (2013)

· Blue Like Jazz (2012) – A review published at Filmwell.

· Body of Lies (2008)

· Booksmart (2019)

· Born Into Brothels (2005)

· Bottoms (2023)

· Boyhood (2014) – A three-part review; and a podcast conversation at Christ and Pop Culture.

· Brave (2012)

· Bringing Out the Dead (1999)

· Broken Flowers (2005)

· Brooklyn (2015)

· Buechner (2005)

· Cabrini (2024)

· Calvary (2014)

· Cameraperson (2016)

· Cars 2 (2011)

· Casa de Mi Padre (2012)

· Catwoman (2004)

· Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010) – “Stories from Before We Can Remember, Part One”

· Challengers (2024)

· Certified Copy (2010)

· Chariots of Fire (1981): Part 1, Part 2

· Children of Men (2006)

· Chungking Express (1994)

· Civil War (2024)

· The Clearing (2004)

· Cleo from 5 to 7 (1962)

· Closer (2004)

· Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)

· Collateral (2004)

· Compliance (2012) – “Why I Abandoned Compliance“

· Constantine (2005)

· Contagion (2011)

· Conviction (2010)

· Coraline (2009) – “Neil Gaiman’s Girls” (Part One, Part Two)

· Cowboys (2021)

· Crash (2005)

· Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

· Crimes of the Future (2022)

· Da 5 Bloods (2020)

· Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) – A film forum review

· Days of Heaven (1978): full review; capsule review for Arts & Faith

· Deliver Us From Evil (2014)

· Departures (2008)

· Devi (1960)

· Diary of a Country Priest (1951)

· Distant (2002)

· Django Unchained (2012): Christianity Today commentary “Blaze of Gory”

· Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

· Doctor Strange (2016)

· Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022): some first impressions

· Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)

· Dogville (2003)

· Don’t Think Twice (2016)

· Doubt (2008)

· Dreamcatcher (2003)

· Dream Scenario (2023)

· Drive (2011)

· Duma (2005) – guest review

· Dune (2021)

· Dunkirk (2017)

· Eastern Promises (2007)

· El Dorado (2008)

· El Sur (1983)

· Elf (2003)

· Eighth Grade (2018)

· Emergency (2022)

· Enemy at the Gates (2001)

· Evening (2007)

· Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

· Exodus: Gods and King (2014)

· Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008)

· Extra Ordinary (2020)

· Fast, Cheap and Out of Control (1997)

· Ferrari (2024)

· Fight Club (1999)

· Finding Dory (2016)

· Finding Nemo (2003)

· Finding Neverland (2004) – guest review

· First Man (2018)

· First Position (2011)

· First Reformed (2018)

· Flags of Our Fathers (2006)

· Flannery (2020)

· Flight (2012)

· Flight of the Red Balloon (2007)

· Ford v Ferrari (2019)

· Foxcatcher (2014)

· Frost/Nixon (2008)

· Galaxy Quest (1999): original review

· Game Night (2018)

· Get Out (2017)

· Get Shorty (1995)

· Girl Rising (2013)

· Gladiator (2000)

· Gloria (2014)

· God Grew Tired of Us (2007)

· God’s Not Dead (2014) – links to reviews worth reading

· Godzilla Minus One (2023)

· Gomorrah (2009)

· Good Time (2017)

· Gravity (2013)

· Grizzly Man (2005) – guest review

· Grosse Point Blank (1997)

· Hail, Caesar! (2016)

· Hamilton (2020)

· Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

· Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

· Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

· Hearts Beat Loud (2018)

· Hellboy (2004)

· Her (2013) – Also: guest review

· Her Smell (2019)

· Hero (2002)

· High Fidelity (2002)

· Hit the Road (2022)

· Hitchcock/Truffaut (2015) – guest review

· Holy Motors (2012)

· Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians (2011)

· Homecoming (2019)

· Honeydripper (2008)

· Honeyland (2019)

· House of Flying Daggers (2004)

· How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2023)

· How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

· Hundreds of Beavers (2024)

· Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

· Hustlers (2019)

· I Am Not a Witch (2018)

· I Don’t Want to Live In This World Anymore (2017) — guest review

· I Heart Huckabees (2004)

· I’m Not There (2007)

· Ida (2014)

· In America (2004)

· In My Country (2005)

· In the Heights (2021)

· Inception (2010) – Part One and Part Two

· Incredibles 2 (2018)

· Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

· Inglourious Basterds (2009) – “The Inglourious Dilemma” – Part One and Part Two

· Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

· Inside Out (2015)

· Interstellar (2014)

· Into Great Silence (2005)

· Isle of Dogs (2018)

· Jane Eyre (2011)

· Jindabyne (2007)

· John Carter (2012)

· Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002)

· Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

· Junebug (2005)

· Juno (2007)

· Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

· Killer of Sheep (1977/2007)

· Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

· King Kong (2006)

· Kinsey (2004) – guest review

· Knife in the Water (1962)

· Knocked Up (2007) – guest reviews

· L’Enfant (2006)

· La Dolce Vita (1960)

· La Vie en Rose (2007)

· Labyrinth (1986)

· Lady Bird (2017) — an audio review

· Lake Tahoe (2009)

· Lassie (2006)

· Last Days in the Desert (2016)

· Leave No Trace (2018)

· Left Behind (2014) – A review roundup and a commentary: “Well-Made Films Won’t Be… Left Behind“

· Les Misérables (2012)

· Let Me In (2010)

· Let the Corpses Tan (2019)

· Let the Right One In (2008)

· Letters From Iwo Jima (2006)

· Letters to Father Jacob (2009)

· Life Itself (2014) – First impressions.

· Light from Light (2019)

· Like Someone in Love (2013)

· Lincoln (2012)

· Lisa Frankenstein (2024)

· Little Children (2006)

· Living (2023)

· Longford (2006)

· Lorna’s Silence (2008) – Also: a guest review

· Lourdes (2009)

· Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

· Lucky (2017) — an audio review

· Lucky Life (2010)

· Lucy (2014) – A film forum survey

· Machine Gun Preacher (2011)

· Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

· Madeline’s Madeline (2018)

· Madison (2005)

· Man on Fire (2004)

· Man on Wire (2008) – A Reflection

· Manchester By the Sea (2016)

· Manderlay (2005)

· Mandy (2019)

· Mank (2020)

· Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (2022) — original review, plus a short essay at The Rabbit Room;

· March of the Penguins (2005) – A Guest Review by J. Robert Parks

· Margaret – The Extended Cut (2012)

· Margot at the Wedding (2007)

· Martha Marcy May Marlene – “Martha in the Middle”

· Mass (2021)

· Maudie (2017)

· Max (2002)

· May December (2023)

· Meek’s Cutoff (2010)

· Meeting Andrei Tarkovsky (2009) – “Stalking the Master of Stalker” – Part One and Part Two

· Memento (2001)

· Memoria (2022)

· Miami Vice (2006)

· Midnight Special (2016)

· Million Dollar Baby (2004)

· Millions (2004)

· Mine (2009)

· MirrorMask (2005) — “Neil Gaiman’s Girls, Part One, Part Two“

· Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning (2023)

· Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol (2011)

· Mission: Impossible — Fallout (2018)

· Monster (2023)

· Monster’s Ball (2001)

· Monsters University (2013)

· Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

· Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022)

· Much Ado About Nothing (2013)

· Mud (2013)

· Munyurnagabo (2007)

· Museum Hours (2013)

· My Father’s Dragon (2022)

· My Kid Could Paint That (2007) – Also: A Guest Review by Kenneth R. Morefield

· My Life as a Zucchini (2017) — an audio review

· My Week with Marilyn (2011) —”An American Starlet in Sir Laurence’s Court”

· Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008) – A Guest Review by Kenneth R. Morefield

· No Country for Old Men (2007) —Also: A Guest Review by Kenneth R. Morefield

· No End in Sight (2007)

· Noah (2014) — Review: Part One, Part Two; plus, a commentary and notable reviews, and a podcast discussion

· Nomadland (2020)

· No Sudden Move (2021)

· Nothing Compares (2022)

· Ocean’s 8 (2018)

· Of Gods and Men (2010)

· Oldboy (2005)

· Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019): A Guest Review by Damian Arlyn

· Onward (2020)

· Only Lovers Left Alive (2014)

· Oppenheimer (2023)

· Paddington 2 (2018)

· Palm Springs (2020)

· Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

· Paprika (2006)

· Passing (2021)

· Paterson (2016) — First impressions, Full Review

· Pather Panchali (1955)

· Penelope (2006)

· Personal Shopper (2017)

· Pete’s Dragon (2016)

· Peter Pan and Wendy (2023)

· Petite Maman (2022)

· Pig (2021)

· Pina 3D (2011)

· Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)

· Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)

· Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

· Playtime (1967)

· Police, Adjective (2009)

· Priscilla (2023)

· Problemista (2024)

· Promises (2001)

· Prospect (2018)

· Puzzle (2018)

· Quo vadis, Aida? (2021)

· Ragamuffin (2014) – A Guest Review by Martin Stillion.

· Ratatouille (2007)

· Ready Player One (2018)

· Return to Seoul (2023)

· Riddle of Fire (2024)

· Room (2015)

· Rye Lane (2023)

· Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

· Seraphine (2008)

· Serenity (2005) – “Can’t Stop the Signal: Flashback to a Meeting with Joss Whedon and the Firefly Cast“

· Shadow in the Cloud (2021)

· Shaft (2000)

· Shakespeare in Love (1998)

· Shotgun Stories (2008)

· Shrek (2001)

· Shrek 2 (2004)

· Shirley (2020)

· Showing Up (2023)

· Sing Street (2016)

· Sinister (2012)

· Skyfall (2012)

· Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

· Snowpiercer (2014): First impressions

· Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

· Song to Song (2017)

· Sophie Scholl: The Final Days (2005)

· Spider-man (2002)

· Spider-man 2 (2004)

· Spider-man 3 (2007)

· Spider-man: Homecoming (2017) — also, an introductory post about why Spider-man is important for me

· Stalker (1979)

· Star Trek Beyond (2016)

· Star Wars, Episode III — Revenge of the Sith (2005)

· Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

· Star Wars Visions — Season Two (2023)

· Stardust (2007)

· Still Life (2006)

· Still Walking (2008) – A Guest Review by Kenneth R. Morefield

· Stone (2010)

· Stories We Tell (2013)

· Strange Negotiations (2019)

· Synechdoche New York (2008) – A Conversation with Charlie Kaufman About the Film

· Summer Hours (2008)

· Superman Returns (2006) – Plus… A Guest Review by Greg Wright

· Tár

· Tenet (2020)

· Terminator Salvation (2009)

· The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

· The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (2011)

· The Artist (2011)

· The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

· The Avengers (2012)

· The Balcony Movie (2023)

· The Beguiled (2017)

· The BFG (2016)

· The Big Short (2015)

· The Bling Ring (2020)

· The Bourne Identity (2002)

· The Bourne Legacy (2012)

· The Bourne Supremacy (2004)

· The Breadwinner (2017) — A review and a follow-up post.

· The Brothers Grimm (2005)

· The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

· The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) – A review in Christianity Today, and a review in Response

· The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)

· The Class (2009) – Reviewed alongside To Be and To Have (2002)

· The Clearing (2004)

· The Counselor (2013)

· The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)

· The Courier (2021)

· The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

· The Departed (2006)

· The Dish (2000)

· The Duke (2022)

· The Edukators (2004) – A Guest Review by J. Robert Parks

· The Eight Mountains (2023)

· The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)

· The End of the Affair (1999)

· The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005): a review and an interview with Scott Derrickson

· The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele de Blanc-Sec (2010/2013)

· The Fall Guy (2024)

· The Farewell (2019)

· The Fighter (2010)

· The Fits (2016)

· The Five Obstructions (2003)

· The Fountain (2006)

· The French Dispatch (2021): some first impressions

· The Girlfriend Experience (2009) — (also mentioned in “More Nightmares Before Christmas” at Image)

· The Gleaners and I (2000) – “A Fortune Right in Front of Me”

· The Golden Compass (2007)

· The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) – and some second impressions

· The Great Beauty (2013)

· The Great Gatsby (2013)

· The Green Mile (1999)

· The Immigrant (2014)

· The Hate U Give (2018)

· The Hobbit (1976)

· The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

· The Holdovers (2023)

· The Hunger Games (2012)

· The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014)

· The Incredibles (2004)

· The Innocents (2016)

· The Insider (1999)

· The Island (Ostrov) (2006)

· The Jungle Book (2016)

· The Kid With a Bike (2011)

· The Kid Who Would Be King (2019)

· The King’s Speech (2010)

· The Ladykillers (2004): original review

· The LEGO Movie (2014)

· The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

· The Limits of Control (2009) – “Jarmusch 101” – Part One, Part Two

· The Little Prince (2016)

· The Lives of Others (2006)

· The Loneliest Planet (2011)

· The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

· The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

· The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

· The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2019)

· The Master (2012) – “A Long Post-Viewing Conversation“, “Wrestling The Master“

· The Matrix (1999)

· The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

· The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

· The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

· The Muppet Movie (1989) – “Something That I’m Supposed to Be” – Part One, Part Two

· The Muppets (2011)

· The New World (2005) – Reviews of the theatrical release and the “extended cut” video release

· The Northman (2022)

· The Passion of the Christ (2004) – Also: A Letter to Christians About Mel Gibson’s Movie; a 10-year anniversary reflection

· The Polar Express (2004)

· The Post (2017)

· The Proposition (2006)

· The Quarry (2020)

· The Quiet Girl (2023)

· The Reaping (2007)

· The Return (2004)

· The Revenant (2015)

· The Rider (2018)

· The Road (2009): “A Harrowing Journey But Meaningful“, and “More Nightmares Before Christmas”

· The Secret in Their Eyes (2009)

· The Secret of Kells (2010) – A review in Christianity Today; “Revealing the Secret of Kells: A Conversation with Steven D. Greydanus“; and a podcast interview with Dr. Christine Chaney and Dr. Brian Bantum

· The Secret of the Grain (2007)

· The Social Network (2010)

· The Son (2004)

· The Song of Sparrows (2008)

· The Spectacular Now (2013)

· The Station Agent (2003)

· Sully (2016)

· The Tale of Despereaux (2008)

· The Taste of Tea (2004)

· The Terminal (2004)

· The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005)

· The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)

· The Tree of Life (2011)

· The Truffle Hunters (2020)

· The Unknown Country (2023)

· The Unknown Girl (2017)

· The Vast of Night (2020)

· The Way, Way Back (2013)

· The Wind Will Carry Us (1999)

· The Wings of the Dove (1997)

· The Witch (2016)

· The Wolfman (2009)

· The Wonder (2022)

· The World’s End (2013)

· Their Finest (2017)

· There Will Be Blood (2007)

· They Cloned Tyrone (2023)

· They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)

· This is Martin Bonner (2013) – Plus… an interview with director Chad Hartigan

· Three Colors: Blue, White, and Red (1993) — Also, information on my major essay on Blue, published in an anthology of film essays.

· Three Identical Strangers (2018)

· THX 1138 – The Director’s Cut (2004)

· Timbuktu (2015)

· Times and Winds (2006)

· Titane (2021)

· To Be and To Have (2002) – Reviewed alongside The Class (2009)

· To the Wonder (2012)

· Together Together (2021)

· Tokyo Story (1953)

· Top Gun (1986) – some 2022 reflections

· Top Gun: Maverick (2022): a two-part review (Part One, Part Two)

· Toy Story 3 (2010)

· Toy Story 4 (2019): a three-part review (Part One, Part Two, Part Three)

· Troy (2004)

· True Grit (2010)

· Tsotsi (2005)

· Twelve Years a Slave (2013)

· Two Brothers (2004)

· Two Lovers (2009)

· Uncle Boonmee Who Can Remember His Past Lives (2010) – “Stories from Before We Can Remember, Part Two”

· Under the Skin (2014)

· Unwanted Witness (2008) – A Guest Review by Kenneth R. Morefield

· Up (2009)

· Up in the Air (2009) – “More Nightmares Before Christmas”

· Up the Yangtze (2007)

· Vagabond (1985)

· Vertigo (1958)

· Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

· Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen (2010)

· WALL·E (2008) – A Review and a Conversation with Andrew Stanton

· Waitress (2007)

· Walk the Line (2005)

· War Horse (2011) – “A War Story for Everyone”

· War of the Worlds (2005)

· Waste Land (2010)

· Watership Down (1978)

· Wendy and Lucy (2008) – A Guest Review by Kenneth R. Morefield

· Whale Rider (2002)

· Where the Game Stands Tall (2014) – A film forum survey

· Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

· Widows (2018)

· Wild Rose (2019)

· Win Win (2011) – “Pillars of the Community”

· Wings of Desire (1987)

· Winter’s Bone (2010)

· Wonder Boys (2000)

· Wonder Woman (2017) — and a podcast conversation that includes reflections on Wonder Woman

· Won’t You Be My Neighbor (2018)

· Wrath of Man (2021)

· X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

· X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

· X2: X-Men United (2003)

· Yes God Yes (2020)

· Yi Yi (2000)

· You Can Count On Me (2000)

· Zodiac (2007)

· Zoolander (2001)

· Zoolander 2 (2016)