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Tench’s Topics
This space features current and recent articles and posts by Naro co-owner Tench Phillips. Tench is a regular columnist for Veer Magazine where he often expands on subjects he is passionate about: social justice, environmental protection, and peace. This page will feature both his Veer columns and additional articles. Please feel free to comment on films or offer your own opinion on posted topics. Please note that comments are moderated for relevancy and civility.
Portrait of an Everywoman as work-in-progress
In her review of "The Worst Person in the World", Washington Post film critic has glowing praise for this Oscar-nominated film and Cannes "Best Actress" winner Renate Reinsve. "Julie’s a bit of a mess. When we meet her, she has no sooner enrolled in pre-med courses at...
Why Isn’t The Naro Playing “West Side Story?”
Spielberg’s 2021 acclaimed remake of West Side Story would definitely be an audience favorite during Oscar season at The Naro, but alas, we are unable to present this film during this period. Here’s why:
Mal Vincent Has Left the Screening Room
The following essay/ tribute to the late Mal Vincent, long-time cinema and arts critic for The Virginian-Pilot and the producer and host of the Naro’s summer classics series for 17 years, was submitted to us by Ron Stokes, founder of Norfolk’s Generic Theatre, expanding on earlier remarks he had posted on this site soon after Mal’s death.
Presenting ‘Nightmare Alley’ in Black and White Splendor
Washington Post columnist Sonny Bunch posted an interesting commentary about how Nightmare Alley has been able to rise above the fray through a very smart re-distribution of the film in a black and white version.
‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ Enters Oscar Race with Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington
The following article by Anne Thompson is reprinted from IndieWire.com. Joel Coen's Shakespeare adaptation is a contender: Best Picture, actor Denzel Washington, actress Frances McDormand, Director, and more. Anne Thompson Sep 24, 2021 7:30 pm @akstanwyck On the...
“A Perfect Slice of 70’s Nostalgia”
REPRINTED FROM INDIEWIRE ‘Licorice Pizza’ Review: Paul Thomas Anderson’s Coming-of-Age Comedy Is a Perfect Slice of ’70s Nostalgia Cooper Hoffman, Alana Haim, and Bradley Cooper all join the pantheon of PTA's greatest performances in a euphorically hilarious ode to...
The Life of Mal Vincent – Video & Tributes
A public memorial was held at The Naro on Saturday, December 11, 2021, for the late Mal Vincent, long-time movie and theater critic and journalist at The Virginian-Pilot. Hosted by Naro owners Tench Phillips and Thom Vourlas, the program included lively remembrances by colleagues and community members along with musical and visual presentations. The video below (click “read more”) was produced by videographer and digital media specialist Danny Lee Epperson for this event and he has kindly offered to share it with our Naro community at large. Enjoy!
The End of an Era
The inimitable entertainment critic Mal Vincent passed away this weekend at the age of 83. In the days before the internet, Rotten Tomatoes, and social media, Mal's film reviews as printed in The Virginian-Pilot often determined the size of our audiences, to both the...
Spencer – A Multi-Genre Movie?
CRITIC’S PICK ‘Spencer’ Review: Prisoner of the House of Windsor Kristen Stewart stars as an anguished, rebellious Princess Diana in Pablo Larraín’s answer to “The Crown.” Excerpt below from the New York Times Review of "Spencer" : Prisoner of the House of Windsor By...
Welcome to Wes World…
With The Naro running a mini-fest of classic Wes Anderson films leading up to a run of his latest film The French Dispatch, we thought we'd link to some media of interest concerning all things Wes. From the NY Times, October 21, 2012: In the Company of Wes...