Ooof. That's the big question, isn't it. How can the visible layer of artifice be removed? That's what all of this is about at some level anyway, right? Every movie, song, book or painting ever was trying to get past the medium itself and reach the viewer directly enough to change him or her. I don't think it can ever…

Ooof. That's the big question, isn't it. How can the visible layer of artifice be removed? That's what all of this is about at some level anyway, right? Every movie, song, book or painting ever was trying to get past the medium itself and reach the viewer directly enough to change him or her. I don't think it can ever…

Apparently yes, and I feel a bit Brie-autistic when she comes up around here.  She's attractive and talented, sure, and she seems very likeable.  But she's also an actress, and all of this fawning is really aimed at that weird combination of rare celebrity-luck and careful public image cultivation.

Apparently yes, and I feel a bit Brie-autistic when she comes up around here.  She's attractive and talented, sure, and she seems very likeable.  But she's also an actress, and all of this fawning is really aimed at that weird combination of rare celebrity-luck and careful public image cultivation.

Nerf on a Hot Duralium Scaffold-Brace.

Nerf on a Hot Duralium Scaffold-Brace.

I don't dislike Alison Brie.  But I don't like her as much as he does, either.  There aren't many things I like as much as he likes Alison Brie.

I don't dislike Alison Brie.  But I don't like her as much as he does, either.  There aren't many things I like as much as he likes Alison Brie.

I thought it was gorgeously shot, wonderfully acted—but with a script as dumb as a box of hammers.  Characters constantly behave in ways that aren't just daft, but are specifically daft with regards to their background (hardened killers don't shoot until the action calls for them to, 733t cyberhax0rs appear to have no…

I thought it was gorgeously shot, wonderfully acted—but with a script as dumb as a box of hammers.  Characters constantly behave in ways that aren't just daft, but are specifically daft with regards to their background (hardened killers don't shoot until the action calls for them to, 733t cyberhax0rs appear to have no…

You said it better than I could but that's what I came to say: gorgeous, well-directed, fantastically acted, with a seriously stupid script.  I know the importance of continuity is a debated one, but here, the throwbacks were so random that I wasn't actually sure what the story was telling me (as was also said by…

You said it better than I could but that's what I came to say: gorgeous, well-directed, fantastically acted, with a seriously stupid script.  I know the importance of continuity is a debated one, but here, the throwbacks were so random that I wasn't actually sure what the story was telling me (as was also said by…

This movie sounds like the sort of thing I can barely tolerate, like the filmmakers think I'm supposed to care about whatever the next plot point is when all I can do is fantasize about all of them being horribly killed in cartoonish, Verhoeven-esque ways—even/especially the "last sane" or "genuinely nice" main lead.…

This movie sounds like the sort of thing I can barely tolerate, like the filmmakers think I'm supposed to care about whatever the next plot point is when all I can do is fantasize about all of them being horribly killed in cartoonish, Verhoeven-esque ways—even/especially the "last sane" or "genuinely nice" main lead.…

This is right on.  I think the only other thing I would add to Tasha's dichotomy is that "students and starters" still get paid, if applicable: my brother, as a college freshman, was still getting $400 per Easter service in church.   If Palmer gets musicians capable of playing her parts who play her parts, then…

This is right on.  I think the only other thing I would add to Tasha's dichotomy is that "students and starters" still get paid, if applicable: my brother, as a college freshman, was still getting $400 per Easter service in church.   If Palmer gets musicians capable of playing her parts who play her parts, then…

This seems closest to the real issue to me.  The real issue here in my mind is that when Palmer offers "hugs, beer and merch" to pay musicians, she's implying a lack of resources to pay them in cash like any musician ever would want to be paid in.  I know a ton of musicians and they're constantly taking gigs like…

This seems closest to the real issue to me.  The real issue here in my mind is that when Palmer offers "hugs, beer and merch" to pay musicians, she's implying a lack of resources to pay them in cash like any musician ever would want to be paid in.  I know a ton of musicians and they're constantly taking gigs like…

Someone at Slate (Saletan?) says that every time an article title is written as a question, the answer is always "no."  That little roadmap simplifies articles like this a great deal.

Someone at Slate (Saletan?) says that every time an article title is written as a question, the answer is always "no."  That little roadmap simplifies articles like this a great deal.