The Academy Award-nominated short films are sometimes dismissed as the Raisinets of the Oscars: bite-sized portions of cinematic sweetness, with only nominal nutritional value. The reality is quite different. Despite films that do, sometimes, hew to the gently inspirational and uplifting, particularly in the category of animation, which Pixar has historically dominated, Oscar shorts are […]

‘Human/Nature’ at Alice Gauvin Gallery in Portland features four artists with very different aesthetics.

Robert Pattinson gets back to his vampire roots in “The Batman,” in which he plays the title character with the same moody, broody intensity he brought to his breakout role in “Twilight.” “I’m a nocturnal animal,” Pattinson’s joyless superhero announces in one of several voice-overs, delivered in a hoarse whisper worthy of Clint Eastwood’s Harry […]

Trailers for the movie “Dog” – co-directed by and starring Channing Tatum as a retired Army Ranger named Riggs who takes a former K-9 comrade to her handler’s funeral – make it look like a fun road trip. Lulu, a Belgian Malinois, is a difficult dog: She chews the car seats, grabs snacks at every […]