|
B-
|
Magic Mike's Last Dance
(2023)
|
Nathaniel Rogers
|
Last Dance is without question the weakest of the three Magic Mike pictures, but it's still worth a look... especially for Hayek fans.
Posted Mar 24, 2023
|
|
C-
|
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania
(2023)
|
Nathaniel Rogers
|
Most unfortunate of all, the usually reliable Paul Rudd coasts through this one, wearing his charisma like an old shirt that he forgot to wash and iron before putting on, assuming we'd just love seeing it (and him) again.
Posted Mar 24, 2023
|
|
B
|
Boston Strangler
(2023)
|
Matthew St. Clair
|
Boston Strangler serves as a capable filmmaking exercise as well as an acting one.
Posted Mar 23, 2023
|
|
B
|
80 for Brady
(2023)
|
Matthew St. Clair
|
Fans of the actresses and those looking to escape reality for 100 minutes will be fully amused. For that reason, 80 For Brady is a touchdown.
Posted Feb 03, 2023
|
|
|
Last Flight Home
(2022)
|
Glenn Dunks
|
This is obviously a film that is much easier to commend that recommend. One doesn’t simply sit down and watch a movie like Last Flight Home. But those who are prepared to invest in a narrative such as this will be richly rewarded...
Posted Feb 02, 2023
|
|
|
Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story
(2022)
|
Glenn Dunks
|
Its strongest moments, though, are when it weaves performance with story and talking heads, with archival footage from the festival’s past, with photography and even with glimpses of mouth-watering food.
Posted Feb 02, 2023
|
|
|
Katrina Babies
(2022)
|
Glenn Dunks
|
Katrina Babies is at its strongest when it focuses in on the specificities of what was lost when those levees broke.
Posted Feb 02, 2023
|
|
|
I Didn't See You There
(2022)
|
Glenn Dunks
|
Despite its rather simple premise and lo-fi technical specs, Davenport’s film is able to mine wells of empathy and poignancy.
Posted Feb 02, 2023
|
|
|
Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song
(2021)
|
Glenn Dunks
|
The problem here is that Hallelujah, despite a rather unwieldly two hour runtime, spends far too long on things of little importance whenever it threatens to really dig into some of the thornier issues that the song and its commercialized success raise.
Posted Feb 02, 2023
|
|
|
Good Night Oppy
(2022)
|
Glenn Dunks
|
Overly cutesy visual flourishes diminish the very real scientific and truly awe-inspiring achievements of those NASA employees whose stories White seems determined to undermine.
Posted Feb 02, 2023
|
|
|
A House Made of Splinters
(2022)
|
Glenn Dunks
|
[These kids] don’t have the benefit of too many happy endings ... but in A House Made of Splinters—where pain burrows in under the skin and sits until it is extracted and healing can begin—they are granted a witness to show their humanity to the world.
Posted Feb 02, 2023
|
|
|
birth/rebirth
(2023)
|
Jason Adams
|
It dives hard and headstrong into absolute awfulness, and it’s got two terrific actresses unafraid to dive in and get totally goopy with it. An absolute treat, slimy and delicious, this one
Posted Feb 01, 2023
|
|
|
The Starling Girl
(2023)
|
Jason Adams
|
There’s something truly electric about The Starling Girl
Posted Feb 01, 2023
|
|
|
The Accidental Getaway Driver
(2023)
|
Jason Adams
|
Rich and lovely, a slow surprise ride I won’t soon forget
Posted Jan 30, 2023
|
|
|
Eileen
(2023)
|
Jason Adams
|
Eileen... has mad surprises in store, and I was made giddy by its swerves off the expected path. It’s the movie Carol didn’t want to be, and I’m personally thankful we now live in a world where we can have both
Posted Jan 30, 2023
|
|
|
A Thousand and One
(2023)
|
Jason Adams
|
A Thousand and One will have your heart broken into a thousand and one little bits
Posted Jan 30, 2023
|
|
|
Talk to Me
(2023)
|
Jason Adams
|
It's the handshake to Hell, baby
Posted Jan 23, 2023
|
|
B-
|
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
It’s a rocking good time with two and a half hours packed with Whitney music, Lifetime level overacting and just buckets of charisma. It’s not right, but it’s OK.
Posted Jan 04, 2023
|
|
|
M3GAN
(2022)
|
Jason Adams
|
2023 might be brand new but it’s already birthed a legend. Bow down to your cyborg glamour queen y’all – all hail Miss M3GAN. Or else!!!
Posted Jan 04, 2023
|
|
|
The Sound of 007
(2022)
|
Nathaniel Rogers
|
When it focuses on No Time To Die it feels way too much like an FYC campaign rather than a real documentary, but the non-No Time To Die parts are fabulous and well worth a watch if you love anecdotes from musicians and Bond, James Bond.
Posted Dec 29, 2022
|
|
C+
|
Werewolf by Night
(2022)
|
Nathaniel Rogers
|
Sadly, while this is somewhat diverting it and blessedly short (given how overextended some of the other Marvel projects feels), it also feels rushed and under-written. The black and white lensing is fun though, as are a few of the visual effects.
Posted Dec 29, 2022
|
|
B+
|
Catherine Called Birdy
(2022)
|
Nathaniel Rogers
|
Even better, given the rampant lazy anachronisms in so many period pieces of late, this one has fun with the wedding of its modern soul to the stylized language of the period.
Posted Dec 29, 2022
|
|
C-
|
The Whale
(2022)
|
Nathaniel Rogers
|
Though all movies are subjective experiences, I would argue that Aronofsky is way too much of a provocateur to commit fully to the kind of sensitivity and empathy this material surely needed to circumvent its parade of immobile trauma.
Posted Dec 29, 2022
|
|
B+
|
Living
(2022)
|
Nathaniel Rogers
|
Nighy's performance alone would be strong enough to elevate a mediocrity, but Living isn't that. The whole of it is beautifully crafted even beyond Nighy and the retro-beauty of the cinematography.
Posted Dec 29, 2022
|
|
B+
|
White Noise
(2022)
|
Nathaniel Rogers
|
White Noise is funny, smart, eccentric and packed with visual and sonic detail (great Danny Elfman score!).
Posted Dec 29, 2022
|
|
B-
|
A Man Called Otto
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
If so much doesn’t work, then how does it make you cry by the end? Let’s just say, there’s a reason why Tom Hanks has two Oscars. His movie star charisma is in maximum overdrive here, even with a character as ornery as Otto.
Posted Dec 29, 2022
|
|
|
The Super 8 Years
(2022)
|
Glenn Dunks
|
A brisk dream of 65-minutes built entirely out of her family’s super 8 camera home movies that is all fleeting memories stung with melancholy and bliss.
Posted Dec 24, 2022
|
|
|
"Sr."
(2022)
|
Glenn Dunks
|
That the father was such a wildly inventive moviemaker himself gives Sr. a wonderful, unique edge and that makes Sr. all the more important element of discovery in this fluctuating age of the artform.
Posted Dec 19, 2022
|
|
|
Children of the Mist
(2021)
|
Glenn Dunks
|
It’s one of my top docs of the year.
Posted Dec 19, 2022
|
|
|
The Balcony Movie
(2021)
|
Glenn Dunks
|
In a peculiar sort of way, the film offers a unique look at contemporary Poland absent the more rigid formalities of narrative, and in its process, goes some way to demystifying the documentary process.
Posted Dec 19, 2022
|
|
|
All That Breathes
(2022)
|
Glenn Dunks
|
Although stunning to look at, and in some moments a marvel to even conceive of such images, it is self-consciously so.... Despite this, Sen manages to capture the humbleness of its subjects and turn that into something compelling.
Posted Dec 19, 2022
|
|
|
The Banshees of Inisherin
(2022)
|
Nathaniel Rogers
|
Farrell and Gleeson, who exhibited tremendous chemistry from In Bruges, are superb again, mining dramatic riches... all without unbalancing the film's rich comedic instincts.
Posted Dec 16, 2022
|
|
B-
|
Till
(2022)
|
Nathaniel Rogers
|
Till only thrives as a dramatic experience when Deadwyler is activated and humanizing it (which is thankfully much of the picture).
Posted Dec 16, 2022
|
|
B-
|
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
(2022)
|
Nathaniel Rogers
|
Director Ryan Coogler tries valiantly to make this all work and it does here and there. In the end his considerable gifts are arguably better suited to grounded human drama than superhero pictures.
Posted Dec 16, 2022
|
|
B
|
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
The film blends childlike mania with poignant themes of belonging to make this perfect programming for families looking for a movie this holiday season.
Posted Nov 29, 2022
|
|
C
|
Aline
(2021)
|
Christopher James
|
Aline is a conundrum and a contradiction. More than any other recent biopic, Aline soldiers through all of the cliches and plot devices we’ve seen repeated ad nauseum. Yet, there’s a bizarre core that spins every scene on the axis.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
|
B
|
Downton Abbey: A New Era
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
The large ensemble is all smiles as they sip tea and gossip. Penelope Wilton and Maggie Smith land every sassy remark with a knowing grin. Girls just want to have fun, and my is Downton Abbey: A New Era low thrills fun!
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
|
C-
|
Jurassic World Dominion
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
Most of the sins of Jurassic World Dominion would be forgivable if the movie were more fun.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
|
C+
|
Minions: The Rise of Gru
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
It’s broad, loud and frantic, barely stopping for a minute to craft a story. At 107 minutes, the energy sputters out, particularly in a rushed third act. Yet, the movie gives exactly what it promises, a fun ride full of antics galore.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
|
B
|
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
What takes it from a watch-on-a-plane movie to a must-see matinee is a galvanizing and endearing performance by Manville.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
|
C+
|
Mack & Rita
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
Rita feels less exciting than online Diane Keaton. Yes, the actress has great fun in the role attending influencer events throughout the movie. But none of the set pieces feel outlandish or inspired enough to be more fun than Keaton’s own personal feed.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
|
B-
|
Ticket to Paradise
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
Ticket to Paradise hardly reinvents the wheel, but it is a breezy excuse to reunite the Ocean’s Eleven co-stars for an incredibly fun and funny trip to Bali.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
|
C+
|
The Good Nurse
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
Our titular “Good Nurse,” Amy Loughren (Jessica Chastain) is what we call a trope magnet. She’s a single mother who works too hard, who loves her kids and never stops, with gentle hands and the heart of a fighter.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
|
B+
|
All Quiet on the Western Front
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
Director Edward Berger doesn’t reinvent the story, but his 2022 re-telling of All Quiet on the Western Front is loaded with enough technical panache to make it a worthy, additive remake and a great time at the movies.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
|
C-
|
Piaffe
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
While stylistic, the color flares and quick cuts that Oren chooses obfuscate and frustrate, more then draw us into this world. There’s skill here, but it feels misguidedly deployed.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
|
B
|
Nanny
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
Nanny made me excited for the emerging talent that is writer/director Nikyatu Jusu. She clearly has an evocative visual eye and can marry it to clear, wrenching, understandable emotions.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
|
B+
|
Alcarràs
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
Alcarràs understands that familial fractures are less about big blowups and more about observed slights, decades long resentment and golden age thinking.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
|
D
|
The Son
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
The Son telegraphs every motif and flourish with the grace of a rampaging bull. What a disappointment.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
|
A
|
Women Talking
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
Yes, it’s women talking to each other. However, it’s less of a dry retelling of an event and more of a fully alive conversation showing how solidarity, community, and debate can lead women out of violence and into a promised land of sorts.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
|
C+
|
Bones and All
(2022)
|
Christopher James
|
Perhaps the journey lies in the contradictions. Luca Guadagnino’s latest film is a perfect example of execution not quite meeting intention. What makes the film interesting might also be its great misfire.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
