Max Carlson

24 pieces in Pietisten

• The Merchant of Venice Spring 2007

  While the Guthrie Theater still hasn’t justified the multi-million dollar pil-grimage from what was already a perfectly good theater, they nevertheless continue to produce lavish interpretations of Shakespeare plays that are certainly bearable to say the least. Their latest, The Merchant of Venice, is no exception.

• A Great American Theater Summer 2006

  Maybe I’m being a bit of a sentimentalist but I’m going to miss the old Guthrie. On May 7th this beloved theater closed its doors, finalizing its scheduled move from Vineland Place in Minneapolis to its new location on the banks of the Mississippi River.

• “My Representative” Winter 2005

  Not long ago I was asked: “Who best represents for you someone who has been able to apply their gifts to address an area of need in the world?”

• Chekhov, Woody, and Their Three Sisters Summer 2003

  As I sat in the top row of the theater watching Chekhov’s masterpiece unfold, the thought passed through my mind that his writing style, technique, and unsurpassed talent is much like some of filmmaker Woody Allen’s work.

• A Brief Essay on The Birds Winter 2002-2003

  The Birds is one of Alfred Hitchcock's finest works. It's a diabolically wonderful contribution to the world of film. While it may not meet today's ridiculous horror standards, I consider The Birds utterly terrifying.

• Direction Winter 2001-2002

  When we go to see a movie, what draws us to the types of pictures we want to see? What makes us go to movies? First and foremost there is the story itself.

• Summer Flicks Spring 2001

  Summer is here and so are the box office smash hits. First in line is Pearl Harbor starring Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, and Kate Beckinsale. It is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Michael Bay (The Rock and Armageddon). This lengthy, big budget movie can be broken down into three parts. The first hour-and-a-half is a hokey love story between Ben Affleck and Kate Beckinsale. It is filled with corny teenage humor, horrible dialog, and one-dimensional characters. It is almost unbearable to watch.

• On the Aisle Winter 2000

  Unbreakable is the latest work from acclaimed writer-director M. Night Shyamalan. It stars Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson. Like Shyamalan’s last film The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable is wonderfully-crafted and well-acted, but it doesn’t come close to its predecessor. Audiences hoping to see a movie as good as The Sixth Sense may walk out of Unbreakable a bit disappointed.

• Minnesota and Hollywood: The Coen Brothers Summer 2000

  Minnesota should be proud of making a significant impact in film in Hollywood these past few decades. I’m talking about the remarkable work of the Coen brothers, Ethan and Joel. They were born and raised in Minneapolis and went to school at St. Louis Park High School. Their mother works at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

• On the Aisle Spring 2000

  American Beauty was the big winner for "Best Picture" this year, an honor which I think it rightfully deserved.

• Sleepy Hollow: A Review Fall 1999

  Film director Tim Burton has a certain style that can be found in all his movies. His films are much like Edward Gorey illustrations: dark, humorous, and with striking imagery. You can find all this in his latest work, Sleepy Hollow.

• Three Movies Directed by Martin Scorsese Summer 1999

  Steven Spielberg once said: "Most movies are whispers. Marty’s movies are shouts." I have to agree. This summer I watched some Scorsese movies up north at our cabin and decided to write about three of them and how I think they measure up.

• Best Picture Winter 1999

  Five great films were nominated for Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards. Each was good in its ownway. Despite the violent snowstorms Minnesota had late in January, I was able to get to the movie theaters and see all five of these movies.

• Comedies Fall 1998

  Mel Brooks once said, “Tragedy is if I cut my finger. Comedy is if you fall into an open manhole and die.” Since laughter is the best medicine, and we all need medicine now and again, I thought I would write about some of my favorite film comedies.

• On the Aisle Summer 1997

  No matter how tired you are, you will not fall asleep during Rent…This is one great show.

• On the Aisle Spring 1997

  Well, another year has passed, March is here and so are the Academy Awards. I have always enjoyed the excitement of this show, wondering who is going to win an award and what film will be named Best Picture of the Year.

• On the Aisle Fall 1996

  Well, I've seen a lot over the past months. Some ups and some downs. First I saw A Doll's House at the Guthrie Theatre. The story is about a Norwegian family (a husband and a wife) who seem so happy until the wife realizes she hardly knows her husband.

• Opera Report Fall 1995

  We went right from the airport to the Metropolitan Opera House to see Aida, a very moving opera with very good singers and sets.

• Opera Spring 1995

  Everyone loves a good story. We all like action thrillers and adventure. But when we think of those kinds of things we depend on a movie. Hardly anyone would think of an opera or a play.

• The Chris-Craft Smile Summer 1992

  It took a whole year for my sister and Peter to plan this wedding. When we went to our lake cabin, my sister kept thinking and talking about the wedding.

• Summer Summer 1992
• Peace Winter 1991
• When I Grow Up Fall 1990
• Peace in the World Spring 1989