Movie Reviews
'Queer' Movie Review
A Poignant Daniel Craig Can’t Help ‘Queer’ From Wandering Off Course. ‘Queer’ stars Daniel Craig in a long, uneven meditation on longing and loneliness that turns into the bizarre love child of Ken Russell and David Cronenberg. Opening in theaters November 27th is ‘Queer,’ directed by...
'Moana 2' Movie Review
‘Moana 2’ Is A Fun Sequel But Doesn’t Replicate the Magic of the Original. Auli’i Cravalho and Dwyane Johnson are back as Moana and Maui, respectively, and team up once again to take on a powerful adversary in the new sequel. Directed by Jason Hand, Dana Ledeoux Miller, and David Derrick...
'Flow' Movie Review
‘Flow’ is a Beautiful, Meaningful Animated Adventure Featuring a Brave Feline. Co-written and directed by Gints Zilbalodis, ‘Flow’ reveals itself to be one of the most satisfying and lovely movies of the year. Arriving on limited release in theaters on November 22nd, ‘Flow’ is that rare cinematic...
'Wicked' Movie Review
‘Wicked’ Defies Gravity to Bring the Stage Musical to Screens With Resounding Success The first part of the adaptation of the wildly successful theatre production is itself a welcome translation to movie format and features stirring lead performances.Opening in theaters on November 22nd,...
'Gladiator II' Movie Review
‘Gladiator II’: Ridley Scott Returns to Rome with a Stirring, Machiavellian Epic While the sequel to the 2000 original doesn’t quite reach the same level, it will certainly leave you entertained, especially when Denzel Washington’s on screen.Opening in theaters on November 22nd,...
'Heretic' Movie Review
Hugh Grant is devilishly good in cerebral horror flick ‘Heretic’. The creepy ‘Heretic’ pits a jovial, sinister Hugh Grant against a pair of religious missionaries in a battle of wits that begins to fray toward the finish.Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the co-writers of the original ‘A Quiet Place’...
'Red One' Movie Review
‘Red One’ Delivers a Lump of Coal in Your Holiday Movie Stocking. Dwayne Johnson and director Jake Kasdan labor hard to make ‘Red One’ an instant Christmas classic, but it feels like the present nobody really wanted.Not to be confused with Netflix’s ‘Red Notice,’ another algorithm-induced...
'Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl' Movie Review
‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ is a Delightful Return for the Stop-Motion Duo. Aardman Animation –– and particular the characters’ creator Nick Park –– have lovingly crafted another funny, clever and emotional tale for the inventor and his dog.The new movie featuring Wallace and...
'We Live in Time' Movie Review
‘We Live in Time’ Charts the Course of a Relationship in Quiet if Predictable Style. Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh star as a couple who fall for each other and start a family as cancer rears its treacherous, tragic head.Opening in limited theaters on October 11th (with a wide release on October...
'A Real Pain' Movie Review
Funny and Moving, ‘A Real Pain’ Explores Grief, Family, and History Jesse Eisenberg’s confident direction steers the poignant, acerbic ‘A Real Pain,’ with Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin in top form as dysfunctional cousins.Jesse Eisenberg has long been an acquired taste as an actor,...
'Juror #2' Movie Review
Clint Eastwood’s ‘Juror #2’ Is An Absorbing If Flawed Courtroom Thriller. Nicholas Hoult is ‘Juror #2,’ who may have a deeper connection to the trial he’s assigned to than anyone knows, in Clint Eastwood’s 40th film as director.If ‘Juror #2,’ the 40th film directed by Clint Eastwood,...
'Here' Movie Review
Bland and Irritating, ‘Here’ Will Make You Wish You Were Anywhere But. The time-bending ‘Here’ is director Robert Zemeckis’ latest experiment in filmmaking, but again he sacrifices compelling story and characters for gimmicks.Robert Zemeckis has made some genuinely great films, including the...
'Your Monster' Movie Review
‘Your Monster’ Has a Shy Actress Finding Her Voice in a Funny, Dark Rom-Com. Melissa Barrera and Tommy Dewey shine as the mismatched pair in this story of self-confidence, relationships and musical theatre.Opening in theaters on October 25th, ‘Your Monster’ is that age-old story of girl-meets-monster,...
'Conclave' Movie Review
‘Conclave’ Makes Electing a New Pope as Suspenseful as Any Spy Thriller. Ralph Fiennes is superb as the cardinal who must oversee the election of a new Pope, an event that fills the Vatican with intrigue, deceit, and betrayal.If Eon Productions can somehow lure Edward Berger – the German director...
'Venom: The Last Dance' Movie Review
‘Venom: The Last Dance’ is Sillier Than Ever – But Slightly More Fun. With each movie in the ‘Venom’ trilogy getting progressively dumber than the last, the threequel goes all-in and ends up being the best of the bunch.Let’s be clear about one thing: when we say that ‘Venom: The Last Dance’...
'Anora' Movie Review
‘Anora’ is manic, gritty, sexy, and emotionally resonant all at once. Mikey Madison gives a star-making performance as a sex worker in ‘Anora,’ a romantic comedy-drama that’s as soulful as it is relentlessly chaotic.‘Anora’ is perhaps the biggest movie yet from independent filmmaker Sean...
'Smile 2' Movie Review
‘Smile 2’ Changes Things Up But Also Keeps to a Similar Pattern of Terrifying Tricks. The horror sequel from writer/director Parker Finn continues the curse storyline from the first movie, albeit with new characters –– to mixed results.Opening in theaters on October 18th, ‘Smile 2’ looks...
'The Silent Hour' Movie Review
‘The Silent Hour’ is a Mostly Generic Cop Thriller With One Interesting Gimmick. Joel Kinnaman stars as a police detective with hearing loss trying to protect a deaf witness in the new movie, which offers mostly predictable action.‘The Silent Hour’s characters are serviceable at best, and perfunctory...
'The Apprentice' Movie Review
‘The Apprentice’ Looks to Chart The Roots of Donald Trump’s Business and Beliefs. The new movie from director Ali Abbasi features excellent performances from Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong, though it does have some issues with how its treats Trump.Opening in theaters on October 11th, ‘The Apprentice’...
'Saturday Night' Movie Review
'Saturday Night' is a Fun Look at the Making of the Popular TV Series. Director Jason Reitman takes some dramatic license yet creates an entertaining account of the 90 minutes leading up to the premiere of 'Saturday Night Live'.‘Saturday Night’, director Jason Reitman’s loving tribute to the 50-year...
'A Different Man' Movie Review
‘A Different Man’ Tackles Issues of Identity with Compassion and Humor. Sebastian Stan stars in the new film from writer/director Aaron Schimberg, which sees a man undergoing facial surgery and a crisis in confidence.Opening in theaters on September 20th, ‘A Different Man’ is the latest movie...
'Hold Your Breath' Movie Review
‘Hold Your Breath is a Bleak, Slow-Burn Horror Thriller About Motherhood and Paranoia. Sarah Paulson anchors the new thriller as Margaret, a woman trying to survive in the 1930’s dust bowl who suspects that the atmosphere is carrying an evil presence.Premiering on Hulu from October 3rd, ‘Hold Your...
'Joker: Folie à Deux' Movie Review
‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ is a well-shot but ultimately soulless musical courtroom drama. Todd Phillips’ follow-up to his 2018 effort smacks of self-indulgence, and largely wastes the talents of Lady Gaga with a role that lets her sing but little else.Opening in theaters on October 4th, ‘Joker:...
'Lee' Movie Review
Kate Winslet is great, but ‘Lee’ follows a stock biopic formula. ‘Lee’ tells the story of a very unconventional woman in the most conventional terms possible, stopping Kate Winslet from every truly bringing her to life.Lee Miller is considered one of the greatest and most important war photographers...
'The Wild Robot' Movie Review
‘The Wild Robot’ is a sweet, slight story of a robot bonding with nature. Lupita Nyong’o is the main voice here, in the story of Roz, the ‘bot who ends up accidentally arriving on an island teeming with life, and who helps raise a gosling.Opening in theaters on September 27th, ‘The Wild Robot’...
'Salem's Lot' Movie Review
‘Salem’s Lot’ is a throwback vampire horror with style but also issues. ‘It’s Gary Dauberman here adapts another Stephen King story, one with almost as much history. But the new thriller struggles with its choppy narrative and familiar beats.Landing on Max on October 3rd, ‘Salem’s Lot’...
'Megalopolis' Movie Review
'Megalopolis' is More Than a Movie, it's a Unique Theatrical Experience. Legendary Director Francis Ford Coppola pushes the boundaries of film and theater with 'Megalopolis,' which is a bold yet polarizing visual masterpiece.Megalopolis’, the long-awaited new film from legendary filmmaker Francis Ford...
'The 4:30 Movie' Movie Review
Kevin Smith’s ‘The 4:30 Movie’ is Both Sweet-Natured and Tacky. A semi-autographical coming-of-age teen flick, ‘The 4:30 Movie’ goes down easier and leaves a much less bitter taste than Kevin Smith’s other recent films.Opening in theaters September 20th is ‘The 4:30 Movie,’ written and...
'The Substance' Movie Review
‘The Substance’ Takes Body Horror to a Whole New Level and Meaning. Demi Moore gives the performance of her career in ‘The Substance,’ a gruesome horror epic that wickedly skewers our standards of female youth and beauty. Opening in theaters September 20 is ‘The Substance,’ directed by Coralie...
'The Critic' Movie Review
‘The Critic’ Buries an Attempt at a Thriller in Mostly Bland, Sleepy Melodrama. While Ian McKellen and the rest of the cast do what they can with their characters, the film around feel more like it belongs on small screens rather than big.Opening in theaters on September 13th, ‘The Critic’ adapts...
'Never Let Go' Movie Review
‘Never Let Go’ is a predictable, overly silly horror tale of a protective mother. Halle Berry plays the parent driven to squirrel away her kids in a post-apocalyptic world where dangers lurk beyond the boundaries of their wooden home.Opening in theaters on September 20th, ‘Never Let Go’ is the...
'Transformers One' Movie Review
‘Transformers One’: New Animated Robo-Prequel is much more than meets the eye. The likes of Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson and Keegan-Michael Key lend their voices to this raucously entertaining and emotive new movie.Opening in theaters on September 20th, ‘Transformers One’...
'Speak No Evil' Movie Review
‘Speak No Evil’ re-invents the danish manners horror as a more straightforward thriller. James McAvoy, Scoot McNairy, Mackenzie Davis and Aisling Franciosi star in the story of vacation friends whose encounter back home turns very dark.Opening in theaters on September 13th, ‘Speak No Evil’ takes...
'Rebel Ridge' Movie Review
‘Rebel Ridge’ sees Jeremy Saulnier tackle the one-man army movie with style. Aaron Pierre shines and Don Johnson is also great as a corrupt lawman in this battle of wills –– and guns, which marks a thematic shift for the director.On Netflix on September 6th, ‘Rebel Ridge’ is the latest thriller...
'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' Movie Review
‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’ is as nostalgic as it is surprising and fun. Director Tim Burton’s one part sequel, one part origin story is undoubtedly a Beetlejuice and Burton fans dream come to life on the big screen.‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’, the long-waited sequel to 1988's 'Beetlejuice',...
'Greedy People' Movie Review
‘Greedy People’ Boasts a Wild Joseph Gordon-Levitt But Little Else Hits its Target. The new dark comedy thriller aims for Coen-level crime in a small town, but tonal issues and a less-than-stellar script let Potsy Ponciroli’s new movie down.Opening in theaters on August 23rd, ‘Greedy People’...
'Jackpot!' Movie Review
‘Jackpot!’ Sees Awkwafina and John Cena on the Run in a Satirical Action Comedy. Paul Feig’s latest movie blends laughs with stunts to fairly entertaining effect, anchored by solid work from its game stars. It’s still not quite a winner.On Prime Video on August 15th, ‘Jackpot!’ finds Paul...
'Blink Twice' Movie Review
‘Blink Twice’ mixes satire and horror in an uneven but satisfying ride. ‘Blink Twice’ marks a promising directorial debut for Zoë Kravitz that packs a punch, even if she has some trouble navigating genres effectively.‘Blink Twice’ starts off as a satire, not to mention a riff on the kind...
'The Crow' Movie Review
Leaden direction stops soulless ‘The Crow’ remake from ever taking off. An aimless rehash of the 1994 cult classic that was marked by a tragic real-life death, ‘The Crow’ can’t find its own identity and settles for mediocrity.Here’s a little secret: this writer has never been a huge fan of...
'Alien: Romulus' Movie Review
‘Alien: Romulus’ plays the hits, both for better and for worse. It’s entertaining and well-done, with one standout performance especially, but ‘Alien: Romulus’ leans hard on nostalgia to the point of distraction.The ‘Alien’ franchise has gotten especially convoluted in the 21st century,...
Movie and TV Reviews
