comment #1

renorambler says ...

I like SZ but sometimes I think she reviews films (good or bad) just to be contrary. I like her writing style which is why I keep coming back. Sort of like this blog :-)

comment #2

p.Vice says ...

The best part is that her husband's (Charley Taylor, formerly of Salon) list is almost exactly identical year in, year out.

I guess that's what you'd call a match made in the aisle seat. HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

comment #3

Chris Molanphy says ...

Re: p.Vice's comment -- Zacharek is basically the less obnoxious version of Taylor. She's crazy-contrary and iconoclastic, sometimes even ornery. But she's never half as big a jerk in print as Taylor, who wants you to know in his reviews that he thinks you, yes, YOU, are a Philistine and a dingbat and not worthy to be reading him. I so don't miss him, and I still say that dumping him and letting his wife review everything was one of the smartest moves Salon's made.

It's amazing, because p.Vice is dead right about the two of them having virtually the same opinions on everything (they're both Paulettes, of the DePalma-is-a-god-and-we'll-never-trust-Clint school), but she is an excellent writer and just so much less insufferable than he is.

comment #4

R. Hunt says ...

Admittedly an esoteric list, but not without its points. The last half hour of "Idlewild" is extraordinary, no matter how hard it is getting to that point. As for SZ (whose parents named her after Barthes' great book) being a Paulette, I'l just point out that she at least named "Flags of Our Fathers" as an also-ran..

comment #5

VedaPierce says ...

It's one thing to be a Paulette, but Stephanie Zacharek cribs shamelessly from Kael. I can't even take her seriously anymore.

comment #6

donnyboy says ...

Salon still exists?

Huh. Amazing.

comment #7

corey3rd says ...

Idlewild deserves an award for no even coming close to looking like a film that only cost $15 million.

comment #8

sardine says ...

zacharek & taylor are the best critics writing today....and they do differ a lot on movies. I know....since they are my good friends. It is a great list....i will post mine after i see some of the last movies......am certain you guys will want to know what sardine thinks....HA HA HA HA HA. Happy Holidays lets hope 2007 will bring us lots of movie-goodies....cheers and beers..

comment #9

sardine says ...

dear vedapierce, At the time of her death, Kael thought Stephanie Zacharek and Charles Taylor the best critics writing.

comment #10

sardine says ...

dear vedapierce, At the time of her death, Kael thought Stephanie Zacharek and Charles Taylor the best critics writing.

comment #11

sardine says ...

dear vedapierce, At the time of her death, Kael thought Stephanie Zacharek and Charles Taylor the best critics writing.

comment #12

Walter Sobchak says ...

I say that the two best films of 2006 were "Deck The Halls" and "Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj". There. Does that mean I, too, have "moxie"?

comment #13

christian says ...

there's a reason kael might think that...as pointed out by veda that sz's sometimes interesting reviews overflow with wannabe kael-isms and consistent use of the royal "we" for "me", i.e., "why do we love watching brad pitt sweat?"

comment #14

donnyboy says ...

YOU ME AND DUPREE, THE PROPOSITION

comment #15

Hallick says ...

1st Quote: You can't give the public a "quality" picture that's simply lousy, like "All the King's Men."

DAMN it, why didn't I think of that? Probably because 8 zillion others already did first.

2nd Quote: Movies based on horrific real events are never going to pack 'em in.

Yes, lets backhand United 93 and World Trade Center when we all know the world turned its back on movies like The Passion of the Christ, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Boys Don't Cry, Fahrenheit 911,....

comment #16

corey3rd says ...

My favorite film of the year: Hostel and Wolf Creek (sure it opened Christmas 2005, but I didn't see it till Jan).