Joey Morona
Tomatometer-approved critic
Life and culture reporter at cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Scream VI (2023) |
An elevated example of how the franchise has perfected its formula of intense thrills, unexpected twists and cheeky winks to tired horror movie tropes. Stab, rinse, repeat. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Mar 08, 2023
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Creed III (2023) |
Jordan has taken the classic underdog story and flipped it on its head while giving Creed the heroic arc worthy of a trilogy. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Mar 01, 2023
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Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania (2023) |
A sensory overload of a movie that has its charms but ultimately leaves you feeling empty inside. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Feb 14, 2023
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Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) |
Perhaps the most immersive moviegoing experience ever, I could get lost in the world of Pandora all day... or at least for 3 hours and 12 minutes. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Dec 13, 2022
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White Noise (2022) |
No matter what you make of its sometimes meandering plot or somewhat muddled message, you can’t help but be charmed by the undeniably quirky spirit of 'White Noise.' - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Nov 29, 2022
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A Christmas Story Christmas (2022) |
The sequel may have the heart of the original, but it’s sorely missing its soul. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Nov 15, 2022
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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) |
The memory and spirit of the late Chadwick Boseman lift this sequel to emotional and dramatic heights rarely seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Nov 08, 2022
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Lovely Jackson (2022) |
A Cleveland man’s extraordinary and inspiring story of unwavering hope and resolve - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Oct 05, 2022
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Blonde (2022) |
A shiny, scandalous package that isn’t nearly as illuminating or thought-provoking as it thinks it is. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Sep 27, 2022
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Don't Worry Darling (2022) |
The film fares much better as a feminist fable about how men and women see the world differently. But getting there is a time, darling.
- Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Sep 21, 2022
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Pinocchio (2022) |
Pinocchio the film lacks the same thing as Pinocchio the puppet. A heart. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Sep 08, 2022
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Easter Sunday (2022) |
Finally given their opportunity to tell their uniquely Filipino story, Jo Koy and the rest of the cast shine in a heartfelt and authentic comedy that will make you laugh and maybe a little hungry, too. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Aug 04, 2022
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Bullet Train (2022) |
'Bullet Train' will try your patience. It might even insult your intelligence. But it’s got Brad Pitt going for it and sometimes that’s enough. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Aug 02, 2022
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Vengeance (2022) |
I bought it, but if you don’t, well, bless your heart. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jul 26, 2022
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Nope (2022) |
In 'Nope,' Peele wants the clouds to make you feel the same way the shark in 'Jaws' made you feel about the ocean and, darn it, he pulls it off.
- Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jul 20, 2022
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The Gray Man (2022) |
A non-stop thrill ride full of jaw-dropping action, intense fight sequences, quippy dialogue and a dream cast highlighted by a deliciously evil Chris Evans as your new favorite villain. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jul 14, 2022
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Where the Crawdads Sing (2022) |
An engrossing mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jul 12, 2022
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Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) |
Waititi teases greatness but the film never kicks into a higher gear as you keep hoping it will.
- Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jul 07, 2022
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Lightyear (2022) |
An epic sci-fi thrill ride full of emotion and laughs that’s worthy of the “Toy Story” franchise. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jun 13, 2022
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Jurassic World Dominion (2022) |
'Jurassic World Dominion' is a big, beautiful, ridiculous mess. I enjoyed every minute of it. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jun 08, 2022
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Fire Island (2022) |
Joel Kim Booster’s script is as insightful as it is hilarious, which shouldn’t surprise fans of his standup act. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jun 01, 2022
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Top Gun: Maverick (2022) |
It may not take your breath away, but it comes close. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted May 24, 2022
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Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) |
The most inventive, chaotic and scariest film in the 28-movie history of the MCU. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted May 03, 2022
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Disfluency (2021) |
Libe Barer's performance is, in a word, mesmerizing. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Apr 06, 2022
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Americanish (2021) |
A celebration of love, life and culture, the film exudes joy and hope. Whats more American than that? - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Apr 05, 2022
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Cyrano (2021) |
Lushly romantic with a modern sensibility, contemporary sound and the visual aesthetic of a long-form music video - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Feb 23, 2022
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Uncharted (2022) |
As far as these types of movies go, 'Uncharted' is fine. Nothing more, nothing less. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Feb 16, 2022
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Marry Me (2022) |
The script is almost as concerned with selling you stuff as it is with romance. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Feb 10, 2022
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A Journal for Jordan (2021) |
What could've been an exercise in despair and grief is instead uplifting and full of hope. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Dec 22, 2021
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The Matrix Resurrections (2021) |
Instead of its own thing, The Matrix Resurrections plays more like an extended alternate ending to the original trilogy. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Dec 21, 2021
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Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) |
A thrilling and chaotic ride, the ultimate superhero team-up that will have fans freaking out over perhaps the most meta film in the history of cinema. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Dec 15, 2021
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West Side Story (2021) |
Steven Spielberg's reimagining almost feels like you're watching West Side Story for the first time. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Dec 07, 2021
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House of Gucci (2021) |
House of Gucci is a time, man. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Nov 23, 2021
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Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) |
After all these years, bustin' still makes you feel good. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Nov 18, 2021
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Eternals (2021) |
The franchise's most ambitious outing yet, a beautifully shot epic full of wonder and imagination. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Nov 02, 2021
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No Time to Die (2021) |
More like a greatest hits checklist than a fully formed film. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Oct 05, 2021
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Dear Evan Hansen (2021) |
'Dear Evan Hansen' has something relevant to say about the mental health issues that young people face. But the translation from stage to screen has made that message more convoluted and difficult to decipher. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Sep 22, 2021
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Respect (2021) |
Compelling and mostly entertaining, thanks to Jennifer Hudson's captivating performance. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Aug 10, 2021
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Free Guy (2021) |
One of the most inventive and engaging films of the year. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Aug 05, 2021
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Jungle Cruise (2021) |
The filmmakers should've just taken the same approach I use at a sushi buffet. Less is more. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jul 27, 2021
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Old (2021) |
'Old' hits a lot like Shyamalan's previous work: a half-baked mystery in search of a movie. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jul 22, 2021
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Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021) |
Shinier and fancier, but also a confusing mess. You can't help but wonder, who asked for this? - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jul 15, 2021
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Black Widow (2021) |
An engaging, action-packed spy thriller that combines the high energy of a Jason Bourne movie with the campy intrigue of a Roger Moore-era James Bond film. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jun 29, 2021
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F9 The Fast Saga (2021) |
'F9' delivers everything you've come to expect from the most unlikely $5 billion movie franchise ever. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jun 22, 2021
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In the Heights (2021) |
A groundbreaking film that is a tribute to the best parts of America - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jun 09, 2021
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Cherry (2021) |
'Cherry' is a gritty, sobering tale full of emotion, humanity and even humor. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Feb 25, 2021
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Tenet (2020) |
...'Tenet' makes 'Inception' feel like a children's story. The film is magnificently and perhaps quite purposefully confusing. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jan 27, 2021
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) |
... simultaneously dark and funny with more twists and turns than a ride aboard the Millennium Falcon. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jan 27, 2021
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Aquaman (2018) |
Literally a fish out of water movie, 'Aquaman' is a fun and ridiculous underwater ride... - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jan 27, 2021
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Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) |
A high-speed heist movie that's more in the vein of the 'Fast and the Furious' series than 'Star Wars.' - Cleveland Plain Dealer
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| Posted Jan 27, 2021
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