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2.5/4
|
Cheaper by the Dozen
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
It’s kinda like a movie. Kinda like a sitcom. Not really either. But its sweet emotions and modern sensibilities eventually make it endearing.
Posted Mar 23, 2022
|
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3/4
|
Great Freedom
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Sometimes a modicum of dialogue works best. That’s seems to be a basic strategy for Austrian writer/director Sebastian Meise and co-writer Thomas Reider. Show first. Tell second.
Posted Mar 16, 2022
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2/4
|
The Adam Project
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Possibilities for The Adam Project loomed far larger than what’s on screen. And what’s on screen is never a credit to the sci-fi genre.
Posted Mar 16, 2022
|
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3.5/4
|
The Batman
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Reeves, Pattison and the talented cast and crew have created a crime/action/drama extraordinaire. A close to perfect superhero film that nips at the heels of the untouchable The Dark Knight.
Posted Mar 08, 2022
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|
|
Marry Me
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
This Valentine’s Day offering feels like a present that’s been regifted and passed along.
Posted Feb 16, 2022
|
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3/4
|
When You Finish Saving the World
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Family drama takes a turn left in this biting satire.
Posted Feb 11, 2022
|
|
3/4
|
The Janes
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Newspaper headlines, old footage of political/social marches and clips of the younger women back in the day fill in the details of these strong-willed advocates.
Posted Feb 11, 2022
|
|
2/4
|
Resurrection
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
An aimless drama that deteriorates into an inane psychological thriller.
Posted Feb 11, 2022
|
|
2.5/4
|
Nothing Compares
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
This documentary is comprehensive and meditative, but it doesn’t spend enough time on her mesmerizing voice and earthy performances.
Posted Feb 11, 2022
|
|
3.5/4
|
Lucy and Desi
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Poehler assembles all the moving parts like she’s fitting a life puzzle together. Admirers like daughter Luci Arnaz, Bette Midler, Carol Burnett and Norman Lear testify to their genius. However, Lucy and Desi are the stars.
Posted Feb 11, 2022
|
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3/4
|
Living
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Taking a tiny slice of life and letting it segue into a life-affirming metamorphosis takes real skill.
Posted Feb 11, 2022
|
|
3/4
|
La Guerra Civil
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
The definitive accounting of an iconic 1996 boxing match.
Posted Feb 11, 2022
|
|
3.5/4
|
Emily the Criminal
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
The crime thriller genre is so routine, what could make it less formulaic? How about a taut script and smart direction by John Patton Ford and a gutsy performance by Aubrey Plaza.
Posted Feb 11, 2022
|
|
3.5/4
|
Cha Cha Real Smooth
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
This sweet romantic comedy will make you smile long after it's over.
Posted Feb 11, 2022
|
|
2/4
|
Moonfall
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Extensive special effects pour on sci-fi elements that help distract attention from the tacky narrative.
Posted Feb 09, 2022
|
|
3/4
|
After Yang
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
An eerie, fascinating bit of sci-fi that lets audiences know how far humans should and should not go.
Posted Feb 08, 2022
|
|
2/4
|
Alice
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
The problem with this far-fetched fable is that it delves into a painful part of Black history, plays loose and fast with details and time jumps in ridiculous ways.
Posted Feb 08, 2022
|
|
|
Am I OK?
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Unfortunately, real laughs are sadly M.I.A.
Posted Feb 08, 2022
|
|
3.5/4
|
Call Jane
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
The insightful script wisely takes a touchy subject, makes it personal and centers it around the most unlikely protagonist.
Posted Feb 08, 2022
|
|
2/4
|
God's Country
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
It’s easy to dislike the bullies. Too easy. They’re cliché.
Posted Feb 08, 2022
|
|
4/4
|
Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Comedy writer Katy Brand hits a nerve that women of a certain age will understand -- and possibly men too.
Posted Feb 08, 2022
|
|
2.5/4
|
Sharp Stick
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Dunham has a niche all her own.
Posted Feb 08, 2022
|
|
1.5/4
|
Master
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
If you're going to mess with the horror movie genre recipe you have to do it with better ingredients. Diallo does not.
Posted Feb 02, 2022
|
|
2.5/4
|
Nanny
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Jusu shows great promise as a director.
Posted Feb 02, 2022
|
|
2/4
|
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Looks low budget. Feels low rent.
Posted Feb 02, 2022
|
|
2/4
|
Emergency
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
There's just enough story and humor here for a SNL skit. Not much more.
Posted Feb 02, 2022
|
|
3/4
|
Aftershock
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Directors Paula Eiselt and Tonya Lewis Lee's illuminating documentary breaks down the contributing factors and possible solutions for maternal mortality in the aftermath of two specific women's deaths.
Posted Feb 02, 2022
|
|
3.5/4
|
Descendant
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
A yearning for a definitive history is the driving force of this heart-warming doc.
Posted Feb 02, 2022
|
|
2.5/4
|
The 355
(2022)
|
Dwight Brown
|
[An] often generic but surprisingly engaging espionage action/thriller.
Posted Jan 11, 2022
|
|
|
Swan Song
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Come for the sci-fi tricks. Stay for a story bathed in an ethereal atmosphere that will keep you intrigued until the end. Whatever that may be.
Posted Dec 17, 2021
|
|
3/4
|
Zola
(2020)
|
Dwight Brown
|
The filmmakers, writers and cast are so criminally funny they should all be hailed for shining a light on a serious subject and then arrested by the vice squad for their naughty humor.
Posted Dec 15, 2021
|
|
4/4
|
Being the Ricardos
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Kidman's interpretation of Ball is as ingenious as it is emotionally nuanced. Sorkin's most balanced writing/directing effort ever.
Posted Dec 15, 2021
|
|
2.5/4
|
Dr. Gama
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
De sets a tone that makes you feel like you're watching people way back in a time.
Posted Dec 08, 2021
|
|
|
Voodoo Macbeth
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
This retelling of a very innovative part of theater and African America history is precious.
Posted Dec 08, 2021
|
|
2/4
|
A Message from Brianna
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
It's not all that scary. Not for a while.
Posted Dec 08, 2021
|
|
2.5/4
|
Maya & Her Lover
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Sylvester exhibits a nice flair for telling a very personal woman's story. She's on to something.
Posted Dec 06, 2021
|
|
2.5/4
|
I'M FINE (Thanks for Asking)
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
At times, in this low-budget ode to aimless life in sunny California, the narrative and lead character Danny (Kelley Kali) wander. Midway into this 90-minute slacker film, you learn that's the point.
Posted Dec 06, 2021
|
|
2.5/4
|
Bruised
(2020)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Berry's skills behind the camera are a work in progress. In front of the lens, she is a virtuoso.
Posted Dec 03, 2021
|
|
3/4
|
The People Upstairs
(2020)
|
Dwight Brown
|
This tightly written, well-directed and perfectly acted 81-minute vignette is as engaging and astonishing as any four-character, dialogue-driven film could ever be.
Posted Nov 23, 2021
|
|
2.5/4
|
Spencer
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Leave it to actor Stewart to save the day. Ninety percent of the time she brings the spirit and look of Princess Di back to earth in an eerily real performance that captures the spirit of Buckingham Palace's most rebellious daughter-in-law.
Posted Nov 23, 2021
|
|
3/4
|
Belfast
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Gorgeously shot (Haris Zambarloukos) B&W footage, with exquisite lighting and ample portrait-like closeups, makes this memoir eye-catching and enchanting.
Posted Nov 23, 2021
|
|
2/4
|
Red Rocket
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Once the ensemble, place and time are set the script, direction and Mikey lead nowhere.
Posted Nov 23, 2021
|
|
3/4
|
Julia
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
A leader in America's food movement is rightfully praised and immortalized in a doc that is a pleasure to watch. You can almost smell the Coq au Vin simmering on the stove.
Posted Nov 23, 2021
|
|
3.5/4
|
Happening
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Diwan takes a sensitive subject with life-altering consequences, then personalizes and humanizes the circumstances.
Posted Nov 23, 2021
|
|
|
King Richard
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
It's easy to enjoy this classic, disarming American saga. Easier to watch the father, mother and daughters shake up the stodgy world of tennis. Expect audiences -- in theaters or their living rooms -- to applaud everyone's efforts.
Posted Nov 15, 2021
|
|
|
The Harder They Fall
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
This cowboy tale is unapologetically strong and Afrocentric, a la Black Panther. It's as cutting edge as it is retro.
Posted Oct 29, 2021
|
|
|
Last Night in Soho
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Wright needed to make this project either really horrific or really campy. Half-stepping is not a viable option.
Posted Oct 26, 2021
|
|
2.5/4
|
Titane
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Yes, it's a far-fetched plot only a Midnight Madness film audience could love. But that's who writer/director Julia Ducournau is courting. She's out to shake up several genres and shock her audiences.
Posted Oct 15, 2021
|
|
2.5/4
|
The Velvet Underground
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
Haynes uses and overuses a split screen effects to display current and ancient interviews, performances and other archival recordings. The 1960s atmosphere on view is as vibrant as it is subversive.
Posted Oct 15, 2021
|
|
2.5/4
|
The Power of the Dog
(2021)
|
Dwight Brown
|
No moral to the story. No life lesson. But, you will enjoy the view.
Posted Oct 15, 2021
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