Venice film festivalTwo men, some violence, much freewheeling chat: so far, so standard fare from the Oscar-winning writer-director. But this time the comedy and charm can feel diluted by blood and machismo

The Oscar-winning filmmaker said his 1973-set tale of CIA operatives in Chile — which premieres in Venice Thursday — has taken on an unexpectedly contemporary resonance amid…

Martin McDonagh’s new film is a masterpiece of screenwriting, entertainment and comic audacity. Meanwhile, at the Venice Film Festival, the German director is presenting “Bucking…