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3/5
|
No Hard Feelings
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
No Hard Feelings is surprisingly smart and tender, and balances the difficult task of being gross-out funny and achingly sweet.
Posted Jun 21, 2023
|
|
3.5/5
|
Elemental
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Elemental is a reverent, affecting tribute to the toils and sacrifices parents make for their children.
Posted Jun 16, 2023
|
|
3.5/5
|
The Flash
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
A movie that surprisingly balances the outsized action thrills with emotional heft.
Posted Jun 16, 2023
|
|
4.5/5
|
One Fine Morning
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Filmmaker Mia Hansen-Love has often excelled at telling a humanist story.
Posted Jun 16, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
Flamin' Hot
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
We all want to feel as appreciated as we know we should be. It’s why these types of movies hit that warm-and-fuzzy spot, even when they’re little more than serviceable and enjoyable.
Posted Jun 16, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
Bank of Dave
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
A spirited and cheerful movie.
Posted Jun 16, 2023
|
|
4/5
|
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse boldly throws out any restraint and leans full-tilt into the zaniness of its visually and thematically kaleidoscopic world.
Posted Jun 16, 2023
|
|
2.5/5
|
Renfield
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
There’s a spicier, punchier and sillier movie trapped inside. Shame it couldn’t be coaxed out.
Posted Jun 16, 2023
|
|
2.5/5
|
The Little Mermaid
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
It’s trying so hard to not upset fans of the original that it often feels like imitation with a couple of adjustments. And that’s about as flat as Flounder’s new-found photorealism.
Posted Jun 16, 2023
|
|
4/5
|
Limbo
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Limbo is a great role for Simon Baker’s creative renaissance, tapping into his thoughtful, quiet energy, his ability to show you a lot without telling you much. And Ivan Sen’s sensibilities for the same makes this a great marriage of actor and director.
Posted Jun 16, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
Fast X
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
While Fast X still delivers on propulsive stunts and fan service, as the 10th instalment and with the promise (or is that a threat?) of at least two more, it’s starting to run out of road.
Posted Jun 16, 2023
|
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3.5
|
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie is a documentary in constant motion, and just like the older Fox, it knows when to stop, pause and take it all in.
Posted May 14, 2023
|
|
2/5
|
Book Club: The Next Chapter
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
This sequel is dragged down by the same thing as the original, just on a more picturesque scale. The script is flat, and the writing is inane.
Posted May 14, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
Confess, Fletch
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
It’s a great fit for Jon Hamm’s talents, and if you didn’t know Chevy Chase had done this before, there’s nothing to flag that the onscreen version didn’t originate with Hamm. He just slips straight into that skin.
Posted May 14, 2023
|
|
3.5/5
|
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Guardians 3 is a real warm and fuzzy movie that sometimes makes you forget that you’re a bit bored with the onslaught of superhero movies.
Posted May 14, 2023
|
|
3.5/5
|
Peter Pan & Wendy
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
David Lowery has mounted a film that is very much grown up.
Posted Apr 30, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
Beau Is Afraid
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
This is a movie that will inspire deep love in some and seething hatred in others. But for most of us, Beau is Afraid will be, more than anything else, completely baffling.
Posted Apr 24, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
A Good Person
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
A Good Person mostly works, thanks to the strength of its performers and its compassionate spirit.
Posted Apr 24, 2023
|
|
2.5/5
|
Ghosted
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
This was the leftover scraps cobbled together from better scripts. It’s the movie equivalent of bubble-and-squeak, and in their heart of hearts, no one ever wants bubble-and-squeak.
Posted Apr 24, 2023
|
|
2.5/5
|
Mafia Mamma
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Mafia Mamma is a chaotic farcical romp, carried by the charms, timing and gusto of Toni Collette’s comedic chops.
Posted Apr 14, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
The Innocent
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Unpredictable and untamed, The Innocent keeps you off-kilter, and its escalating antics always entertain.
Posted Apr 14, 2023
|
|
4/5
|
Air
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
The script is pacy, the tone is consistent, and Affleck’s deft direction commands a raft of skilful performances from an ensemble who rarely puts a foot wrong.
Posted Apr 10, 2023
|
|
1.5/5
|
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
The whole package is a deranged mishmash of overstimulating elements.
Posted Apr 10, 2023
|
|
3.5/5
|
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Chris Pine is a genius bit of casting, because he not only brings goodwill but also his casual, unimposing swagger and a cheeky sense of frolic.
Posted Apr 03, 2023
|
|
2.5/5
|
Murder Mystery 2
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Murder Mystery 2 just went bigger but forgot the fact it’s supposed to be a whodunit and not just a wild European caper.
Posted Apr 03, 2023
|
|
4/5
|
John Wick: Chapter 4
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
An exhilarating thrill ride.
Posted Mar 24, 2023
|
|
3.5/5
|
Of an Age
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Of An Age is a queer Australian romantic drama brimming with tenderness and enchantment.
Posted Mar 24, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
Living
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
The movie is a slow-burn that never accelerates but Bill Nighy’s performance makes it a compelling experience.
Posted Mar 19, 2023
|
|
2.5/5
|
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Bombastic and cacophonous, a relentlessly overstimulating carnival that relies heavily on CGI and a crushing and clanging soundtrack to fake its ambitious scale.
Posted Mar 19, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
Champions
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Bobby Farrelly balanced out the sentimentalism with a sassy ensemble, led by Woody Harrelson’s reliably spiky energy.
Posted Mar 19, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
Luther: The Fallen Sun
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
A feature-length Luther chapter that is larger in scale than a regular episode but with the same darkness coursing through its veins.
Posted Mar 19, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
65
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Driver gives a Driver-level performance and it’s a tight 90 minutes. And those two aspects alone are enough for a passable dino actioner.
Posted Mar 19, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
Scream VI
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Don’t be shocked if there are more laughs and whoops in the cinema than there are shrieks and gasps – but Scream has never tried to take itself too seriously which has always been part of the charm.
Posted Mar 19, 2023
|
|
2.5/5
|
Empire of Light
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Empire of Light is a dull historical romance that isn’t even amusing enough to be offensive. It has its moments, but you’d be hard pressed to remember them later.
Posted Mar 04, 2023
|
|
3.5/5
|
Creed III
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Creed III may be the first Rocky movie without an appearance from Sylvester Stallone but it proves that it’s fine to move on from the original icon. It didn’t need him.
Posted Mar 04, 2023
|
|
4/5
|
Aftersun
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Aftersun is a stealthy movie because even as it lulls you into a state where you’re wondering just what is the point of the whole endeavour, it has already successfully gripped you with its unsentimental heart.
Posted Mar 04, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
Cocaine Bear
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
This is a movie that makes no apologies for trying to make you howl in laughter and disgust – at the same time.
Posted Mar 04, 2023
|
|
4.5/5
|
Women Talking
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Even though it’s a Spartan approach to filmmaking, Women Talking never fails to slap you awake.
Posted Feb 20, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
A superhero epic of gargantuan proportions that overwhelms and overstimulates, but still manages to deliver some human emotions despite the CGI circus.
Posted Feb 20, 2023
|
|
2/5
|
The Son
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
A badly misjudged melodrama, this domestic tale is bogged down in heavy handed histrionics and sentimental notes that makes you want to run away.
Posted Feb 20, 2023
|
|
2/5
|
Magic Mike's Last Dance
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
There is more that confounds, befuddles and frustrates than enchants or titillates.
Posted Feb 20, 2023
|
|
2.5/5
|
The Whale
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
It’s such a heavy-handed approach that The Whale’s extremity risks alienating the audience from the intention.
Posted Feb 06, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
True Spirit
(2023)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
True Spirit has its flaws, but there is value in its earnest belief in the human spirit.
Posted Feb 06, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
What's Love Got to Do with It?
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
What’s Love Got to Do With It isn’t subverting conventions, but it benefits from the overflowing charisma of both Lily James and Shazad Latif.
Posted Feb 06, 2023
|
|
3.5/5
|
Tár
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Much like Lydia herself, Tar is a skilful, polished and fascinating piece of work, but it’s missing a beating heart.
Posted Feb 06, 2023
|
|
4/5
|
The Fabelmans
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
It’s a beautiful, tender and emotionally complex film, one which pays tribute to Spielberg's parents but also ensures their humanity through their flaws and failings.
Posted Jan 06, 2023
|
|
3.5/5
|
Emily
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Emma Mackey’s appealing performance, a combination of defiance, depth and vulnerability, brings to life an obscured literary figure.
Posted Jan 06, 2023
|
|
4.5/5
|
The Banshees of Inisherin
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Martin McDonagh expertly threads humour and pathos like a master weaver who knows exactly when to change colours.
Posted Jan 02, 2023
|
|
4/5
|
Triangle of Sadness
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
The title doesn’t effectively sell how chaotically funny and eviscerating Ruben Ostlund’s social satire is.
Posted Jan 02, 2023
|
|
3/5
|
The Lost King
(2022)
|
Wenlei Ma
|
Sally Hawkins’ compassionate rendering of Philippa rounds out some traits that could have come off as far more self-righteous and off-putting.
Posted Jan 02, 2023
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