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Monique Jones
Tomatometer-approved critic
Monique Jones is a freelance entertainment journalist and blogger. She has written for several outlets including SlashFilm, SyFy Wire/SyFy Fangrrls, The Huffington Post, Mediaversity Reviews, The Offing, and others. She also writes about race and culture in entertainment on her own website, JUST ADD COLOR (colorwebmag.com).
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Condition of Return (2023) |
It doesn't necessarily break any new ground in the psychological thriller genre, but its reveals are compelling enough that it will keep you thinking about it after the film is over. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Sep 29, 2023
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The Plus One (2023) |
An illogical romcom [with lots of product placement.
- Common Sense Media
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| Posted Sep 29, 2023
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Outlaw Johnny Black (2023) |
A bawdy send-up of Blaxploitation and spaghetti Westerns... - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Sep 18, 2023
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Back on the Strip (2023) |
Unfortunately, this comedy is hampered by jokes that seem both stale (as in they would have been fresher in the early 1990s) and off-putting... - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Aug 25, 2023
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Bobcat Moretti (2022) |
This is a gripping drama that offers up inspiration and encouragement. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Aug 08, 2023
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Til Death Do Us Part (2023) |
A tedious thriller that won't make you say "I do." - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Aug 03, 2023
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Susie Searches (2022) |
Susie Searches is a twisty, fun, and engaging film. Clemons brings relatability to a role that is, at its core, a non-heroic character. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Aug 01, 2023
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Stephen Curry: Underrated (2023) |
It's true that Curry has changed the game of basketball in his own way, but sometimes his story comes off as less relatable than the filmmakers probably wanted it to. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Jul 20, 2023
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Wonderwell (2023) |
[Carrie] Fisher herself is engaging as the mystical witch Hazel, but the rest of Wonderwell doesn't support the magic she brings. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Jul 13, 2023
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The League (2023) |
Engaging and entertaining while packing in a textbook's worth of information about American history in the early 20th century. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Jul 13, 2023
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Every Body (2023) |
Parents need to know that Every Body is director Julie Cohen's frank, empathetic documentary about the experiences of intersex people in America. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Jun 23, 2023
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The Blackening (2022) |
Even though The Blackening is described as a horror comedy, squeamish viewers will be able to make it through the movie mostly unscathed, as much of it is focused on comedic moments related to what happens within horror films -- and within Black culture. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Jun 15, 2023
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Padre Pio (2022) |
This messy drama seems to have the bare bones of good ideas, but it would have been better if the film was about either Padre Pio or the rise of fascism, not both. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Jun 08, 2023
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Come Out Fighting (2021) |
Fans of World War II action/dramas are sure to enjoy this film. Set at a comfortably brisk pace, Come Out Fighting gives viewers some insight into the real-life 761st Battalion. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted May 30, 2023
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BlackBerry (2023) |
BlackBerry is a funny, insightful dramedy about the smartphone that started it all. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted May 17, 2023
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Perfect Addiction (2023) |
Some might look down on this surprisingly fun sports romance because it was adapted from a racy, self-published Wattpad story. But Perfect Addiction actually holds its own against more "traditional" romantic films -- and in some ways surpasses them... - Common Sense Media
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| Posted May 17, 2023
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Carmen (2022) |
Carmen is an interesting, if unusual, film -- but this is by design, since it's told through a magical realism lens... - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Apr 26, 2023
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Rare Objects (2023) |
Overall, Rare Objects is a solid watch, and as Holmes' third feature film as director, it's a good entry on her resume. But some scenes feel more languid than they have to be... - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Apr 21, 2023
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Hilma (2022) |
A sensitive story of a groundbreaking artist. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Apr 21, 2023
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A Thousand and One (2023) |
A gripping, heartfelt, mature story of motherhood and family. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Apr 03, 2023
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Wildflower (2022) |
The cast -- including Jean Smart, Jacki Weaver, Erika Alexander, Brad Garrett, Charlie Plummer, and Kannon -- are great, but their charisma can only cover up the confusion of the film's messaging so much. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Mar 25, 2023
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A Snowy Day in Oakland (2023) |
It unfortunately works against itself, putting its message at risk of being diluted or disregarded because of odd storytelling choices and gimmicks. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Mar 25, 2023
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The Year Between (2022) |
The Year Between is a great watch for families who want to learn more about living with mental illness. It could be mildly triggering for some, especially if they have bipolar disorder, but on the whole, the film offers a lived-in look... - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Mar 09, 2023
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Devil's Peak (2023) |
This movie hits a lot of the beats you'd expect from a drama/thriller like this. And, to be fair, it isn't trying to do anything to subvert viewers' expectations -- it knows what it is and it does a good job of entertaining. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Feb 24, 2023
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Of an Age (2022) |
This drama is a sorrowful, emotional story of a young man both coming of age and coming to terms with his queerness. It's a film that feels like it's part of a conversation with other films of love and longing - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Feb 10, 2023
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Seriously Red (2021) |
Seriously Red is a fun film that cashes in on the zeitgeist's love for Dolly Parton while giving audiences an important lesson in self-love. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Feb 10, 2023
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Freedom's Path (2022) |
Evoking these feelings is one of the best ways to teach empathy and compassion. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Feb 04, 2023
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The Locksmith (2023) |
You don't really expect The Locksmith to turn the tables on the narrative or bring anything especially inventive to the table. And given that perspective, it's an entertaining movie, even if you already know what will happen. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Feb 04, 2023
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House Party (2023) |
The new House Party does try its best to capture the fun and the timeliness of the first movie, and in that regard, the film largely succeeds. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Jan 19, 2023
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Plane (2023) |
Plane says nothing new and reinforces painful cliches, making it feel more like a film from the 1980s or '90s than 2023. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Jan 13, 2023
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Wildcat (2022) |
Wildcat offers audiences a deep respect and empathy for people who struggle with mental health. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Dec 23, 2022
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Emancipation (2022) |
This drama has good intentions in wanting to portray the realities of slavery, but those intentions are overwhelmed by the sheer amount of graphic violence. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Dec 17, 2022
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A Man of Action (2022) |
It does have great acting, character development, and atmosphere, and once you get used to the pace, the film's storyline can become engrossing... - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Dec 17, 2022
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The Lost Patient (2022) |
If you're looking for a well-acted but standard thriller, The Lost Patient will check all the boxes. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Dec 17, 2022
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High Heat (2022) |
Some scenes, played for comedy, go on too long, and the jokey scenarios and dialogue become annoying. This, on top of the film's by-the-numbers aspects, mean that High Heat can be surprisingly boring despite its high number of fighting/action scenes. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Dec 17, 2022
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The Violence Action (2022) |
The Violence Action is probably a bit more enjoyable if you've read the manga it's based on, but overall, the film doesn't have much weight to its story. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Dec 05, 2022
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Who's a Good Boy? (2022) |
Who's a Good Boy? might give fans of raunchy teen comedies something to laugh at and enjoy. For other viewers who don't particularly care to see so much sex on screen, it might not be as enjoyable a watch. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Dec 05, 2022
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Lesson Plan (2022) |
A bland action-thriller with lots of violence, drugs and language. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Dec 05, 2022
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Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich (2022) |
Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich is, thankfully, not a documentary that seeks to entertain audiences with Maxwell's crimes by telling them in a tawdry, tabloid-esque manner. Instead, the documentary takes a necessarily serious approach... - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Nov 29, 2022
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Bar Fight! (2022) |
This comedy is an hour and 24 minutes long, but it feels like two given how aggressively not funny it is. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Nov 16, 2022
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Christmas in Paradise (2022) |
This holiday-themed sequel might be more entertaining if you've seen its predecessor, which had more story to tell than this film does. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Nov 16, 2022
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Black Adam (2022) |
For as expensive as it was to create this film, it certainly could have done much more to not feel so cheap, in more ways than one. - Just Add Color
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| Posted Nov 09, 2022
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The Independent (2022) |
Overall, The Independent could be better, but if you're open to the messages it wants to send, it can remind you of the importance of a free and unbiased press. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Nov 09, 2022
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Good Night Oppy (2022) |
At times, the film can feel a wee bit too saccharine, but overall, Good Night Oppy is a great documentary to watch with the whole family. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Nov 09, 2022
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Sell/Buy/Date (2022) |
Sell/Buy/Date tries to do something different with the documentary format, and, for the most part, it works. The film is at its strongest when it allows those who are the most impacted by Jones' one-woman show to speak. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Oct 19, 2022
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The Same Storm (2021) |
Director Peter Hedges succeeds at the challenging task of creating a compelling narrative through Zoom and similar technology. The Same Storm offers a series of gripping stories. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Oct 19, 2022
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The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry (2022) |
A charming drama that promotes compassion. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Oct 10, 2022
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Sidney (2022) |
Sidney shows that Poitier is a role model through and through -- not only has he always done his best to uplift Black people in film, but he's also always working to uphold the values that his parents instilled in him. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Oct 01, 2022
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The Silent Twins (2022) |
At the end of the day, The Silent Twins is interesting and boasts amazing performances, but the threadbare storyline does the Gibbons twins a disservice. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Sep 20, 2022
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God's Country (2022) |
The main issue is whether viewers can stick with God's Country long enough for the story to finally kick in. But if you do, the film provides a pay-off that, in a way, makes the wait worth it. - Common Sense Media
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| Posted Sep 20, 2022
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