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Courtney Lanning
Tomatometer-approved critic
Courtney Lanning is a Maine-based movie critic. She regularly contributes reviews to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, KUAF, and WCSH. Courtney's primary passion is animation, and she's always excited to watch new cartoons. When she isn't watching movies, Courtney is probably reading, eating pizza, or both.
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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The Creator (2023) |
"The Creator" gives viewers some amazing machines to ponder over as people, but it's unfortunately not committed to exploring much of their point of view in this futuristic world. - WCSH
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| Posted Sep 29, 2023
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Flora and Son (2023) |
The story can be heavy and bittersweet, but there's a surprising bit of humor in this film's, at times, crass tones and dialogue. But what takes this movie from good to great is its music. - WCSH
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| Posted Sep 22, 2023
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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2022) |
Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales completely own these characters and bring them to life from the pages of a beloved novel in LGBTQ+ circles. This is their tale, and each actor plays the part perfectly. - WCSH
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| Posted Sep 08, 2023
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Blue Beetle (2023) |
"Blue Beatle" manages to avoid a lot of cliches as it navigates a movie release schedule full of superhero fatigue. And it really comes together in the final act. - WCSH
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| Posted Aug 17, 2023
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Red, White & Royal Blue (2023) |
Galitzine and Perez have effortless chemistry with each other, and the way the pair move from agitation to affection to heartbreak and back makes "Red, White & Royal Blue" such a great rom-com to watch. - WCSH
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| Posted Aug 10, 2023
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Meg 2: The Trench (2023) |
It's a crying shame [this] sequel decided to gorge itself on boring human antagonists for much of its runtime instead of doubling down on monster action. - WCSH
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| Posted Aug 03, 2023
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Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie (2023) |
The film simplifies [its] characters to the point they have no soul and no redeeming qualities. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Jul 28, 2023
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Haunted Mansion (2023) |
"Haunted Mansion" does very little to make the audience jump in fear or laugh in amusement. And much like the characters trying to leave the ghost house, the audience will have no escape for the two hours their ticket price commits them to. - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 28, 2023
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Plane (2023) |
"Plane" doesn't look like much in its trailers, but the film manages to be a decent popcorn thriller. - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 25, 2023
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Knock at the Cabin (2023) |
"Knock at the Cabin" is a well-made movie, and there's not a bad performance in the entire film. But Bautista steals the show... - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 25, 2023
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Cocaine Bear (2023) |
Obviously, this isn't a film for kids or people who can't handle seeing lots of blood on the screen. But for everyone else, "Cocaine Bear" is just a fun time that packs in several laughs through its absurd and welcome violence. - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 25, 2023
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John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) |
"John Wick: Chapter 4" is the best entry since the original, and it knows the mileage on John's soul is starting to reveal itself more and more. So, it smartly plans for a narrative exit ramp. - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 25, 2023
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The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) |
If folks grew up playing the games (or still do), and already treasure everything Mario, this is a must-see movie. For everyone else, the mileage in their kart will vary. - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 25, 2023
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Renfield (2023) |
Cage is a delight as the prince of darkness, hamming it up with a performance that makes it look like the actor is having a blast on screen. - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 25, 2023
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Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023) |
"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." delivers on the full promise of its source material, bringing audiences a heartfelt and emotional core about girlhood and faith that has something to teach everyone watching this film. - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 25, 2023
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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) |
"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" shows [Marvel] still has fuel in the tank and is capable of making good movies. [The company] just needs to remember how to make character-driven stories that give its heroes something fun to accomplish. - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 25, 2023
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The Little Mermaid (2023) |
Mostly thanks to the music and dramatic performances from Bailey and McCarthy, "The Little Mermaid" goes along swimmingly. And that puts it several strokes ahead of other live-action Disney remakes. - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 25, 2023
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) |
The music, the animation, the characters, and the story all come together to create the greatest Spider-Man movie. - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 25, 2023
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Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023) |
. . .A mixed bag that establishes this latest outing as less than meets the eye. - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 25, 2023
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The Flash (2023) |
Fortunately, "The Flash" comes with enough twists and tricks to keep things from being stale. And a large part of that is seeing Michael Keaton suit up as Batman again for the first time in more than 30 years. - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 25, 2023
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Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) |
Longtime fans should find an adequate conclusion for this 70-year-old hero. And maybe given how "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" turned out, that in itself is the real accomplishment. - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 25, 2023
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Joy Ride (2023) |
...This really does feel like a group of friends thrown together by circumstance on a wacky journey, the epitome of a road movie. - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 25, 2023
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Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Part One (2023) |
Like the last several "Mission: Impossible" films, this one proves to be an exceptionally competent action-thriller full of beautiful set pieces and spectacular stunts from Cruise himself. - WCSH
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| Posted Jul 25, 2023
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Oppenheimer (2023) |
"Oppenheimer" is weighty, it's tragic, it's art. Dammit, this is everything cinema should be. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Jul 21, 2023
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Superman: Red Son (2020) |
Superman: Red Son isn't a bad film. It's just a strange spectacle with a bit of uneven pacing and muddled messaging. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Jul 19, 2023
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Nine Days (2020) |
There's not one wasted detail in [Edson] Oda's movie. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Jul 19, 2023
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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) |
In more ways than one, this simple story leaves complexity and nuance to its characters. They do the heavy lifting, and they look great doing it among a sea of creative cinematography from Conrad Hall. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Jul 19, 2023
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Theater Camp (2023) |
..."Theater Camp" is exactly the type of risky production Hollywood needs to be investing in to keep itself fresh and alive. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Jul 19, 2023
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Biosphere (2022) |
There's no CGI to hide behind. And the only accompanying music they get is a scat soundtrack. But Ray and Billy make it work. Their journey, their grief, their humor, and their chemistry take a risky experiment and make it a film worth watching. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Jul 07, 2023
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Nimona (2023) |
This isn't a mindless cartoon full of pop music and a minimalistic story to put on in the background. Nimona deserves your full attention. It's important and it's still an absolute blast of action and fun even for those who aren't LGBT. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Jun 30, 2023
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Asteroid City (2023) |
Every scene feels handstitched by a man who clings so tightly to his own vision that he has become a household name in the same vein as Christopher Nolan or Tim Burton. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Jun 30, 2023
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Extraction 2 (2023) |
I don't think it's often we see sequels that improve on the previous entry in a film series. But when it happens, it certainly makes me happy. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Jun 16, 2023
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Flamin' Hot (2023) |
When judged solely on the merits of craft and fiction, "Flamin' Hot" is all that and a bag of chips. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Jun 10, 2023
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Kandahar (2023) |
Don't treat Kandahar like "another Gerard Butler action flick," even for those who like them. Expect more from this movie. Because it delivers. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted May 26, 2023
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Master Gardener (2022) |
The latter half of this movie seems content with leaving most of the planted ideas buried in the soil. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted May 26, 2023
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The Mother (2023) |
I can't say I was ever bored during The Mother, and I certainly appreciate that the story was kept simple. It's far too easy for writers to unnecessarily complicate an action movie with the intention of adding more depth. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted May 12, 2023
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Knights of the Zodiac (2023) |
The narrative and characters are swallowed by a storm of ill-conceived CGI and unfortunate writing, another title in the long list of live-action anime adaptations that should deter similar future attempts. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted May 12, 2023
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Hannah Gadsby: Something Special (2023) |
Gadsby's shows, including the newest production, "Something Special," feel like a separate class of comedy -- almost literary. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted May 05, 2023
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Peter Pan & Wendy (2023) |
When compared to the narrative catastrophes of most of the other live-action Disney remakes, Peter Pan & Wendy seems to have found more success than it had any right to. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Apr 28, 2023
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Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always (2023) |
"Once & Always" perfectly captures the vibe of the original series. The dialogue is cheesy, the story is melodramatic, the villains are outrageous, and I love it all. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Apr 21, 2023
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Ghosted (2023) |
It's a fun movie overall, worth watching at least once for the laughs and action. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Apr 21, 2023
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Suzume (2022) |
It's a film filled with creative ideas, and too many of them are left unaddressed by the time the credits roll... [But] Suzume is still a fun movie with cute moments. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Apr 14, 2023
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Paint (2023) |
Paint is ultimately carried by the quirkiness of Wilson's performance and some welcome deadpan humor. It may not be high art, but watching Wilson is uplifting. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Apr 07, 2023
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Tetris (2023) |
Audiences won't be able to keep themselves from rooting for the honest fool because Egerton is just so damn charming. It's one of his best roles to date. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Mar 31, 2023
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Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) |
Filled with a surprising amount of heart (thanks mostly to Pine), plenty of magic, and more fun than a barrel of dragons. It's the most enjoyable film I've seen in a theater so far this year. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Mar 31, 2023
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Last Contact (2023) |
If just one of the actors in Last Sentinel had given a lackluster performance, the film would have collapsed in on itself. But everyone kicks in a captivating performance that only heightens the tension. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Mar 24, 2023
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Boston Strangler (2023) |
The movie's beginning suggests it wants to be a newspaper story, and by the film's end, I got the impression it wanted to be a true-crime series. The uncertainty of tone and theme certainly made for a mixed bag. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Mar 17, 2023
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The Magician's Elephant (2023) |
As far as fairy tales go, this one is pretty simple, and that definitely lends to the film's overall charm. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Mar 17, 2023
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Scream VI (2023) |
As corny as it sounds, Scream VI reminded me why I love movies. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Mar 10, 2023
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Creed III (2023) |
This latest entry in the Creed franchise just continues to build on everything we were shown in the first two movies, adding another entertaining chapter to the story of this boxer. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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| Posted Mar 03, 2023
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