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B-
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Where the Crawdads Sing
(2022)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Where ihe Crawdads Sing needed a better script to fully draw me in.
Posted Jul 21, 2022
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B
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The Black Phone
(2021)
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Matthew Toomey
|
I enjoyed the blend of drama, horror and supernatural. Such movies can become very formulaic (borrowing heavily from previous works) but this held my attention all the way through.
Posted Jul 21, 2022
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B-
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The Phantom of the Open
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Significant alterations to the story create faux-drama which makes you realise it’s a very, very loose adaptation of the Maurice Flitcroft tale. I wish it was more authentic.
Posted Jul 21, 2022
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A
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Lost Illusions
(2021)
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Matthew Toomey
|
Lost Illusions provides an insightful look into a fascinating time. It’s captivating from start to finish!
Posted Jun 16, 2022
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B
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Elvis
(2022)
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Matthew Toomey
|
It takes time to warm up but Elvis provides audiences with a celebratory tribute to an iconic musician. At the very least, see it for Austin Butler's performance!
Posted Jun 16, 2022
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B
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Lightyear
(2022)
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Matthew Toomey
|
Lightyear won't blow you away but there are some nice touches.
Posted Jun 16, 2022
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B+
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Men
(2022)
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Matthew Toomey
|
Men is to be praised as an original, unsettling drama-thriller that takes us out of our comfort zones.
Posted Jun 16, 2022
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B-
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Jurassic World Dominion
(2022)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Jurassic World Dominion ticks a few boxes but not quite enough to make this a distinctive, original, memorable adventure.
Posted Jun 08, 2022
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A-
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A Hero
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Farhadi's latest creation is A Hero and it solidifies his reputation of creating complex stories with equally complex characters.
Posted Jun 08, 2022
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B+
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Mothering Sunday
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Mothering Sunday is an above average drama that speaks to the lingering impact of love and tragedy.
Posted Jun 08, 2022
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A-
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Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom
(2019)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
It’s a rare situation where the making of the movie is just as interesting as the movie itself.
Posted Jun 08, 2022
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B-
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The Bob's Burgers Movie
(2022)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Aimed squarely at existing fans, The Bob’s Burgers Movie is a serviceable animated feature that would be considered “middle of the pack” if ranked on a list of the television episodes.
Posted May 24, 2022
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A
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Top Gun: Maverick
(2022)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
This is a sensational film that surpasses its predecessor in almost every way.
Posted May 24, 2022
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A-
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The Innocents
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
It’s the kind of movie you won’t easily forget.
Posted May 24, 2022
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B-
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Operation Mincemeat
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Operation Mincemeat isn’t fully satisfying but it’s still an interesting yarn to add to the memory bank.
Posted May 24, 2022
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B
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A Chiara
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
To Chiara can’t maintain its intensity all the way through but it’s still an interesting, provocative watch.
Posted May 24, 2022
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C+
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Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
(2022)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is more over-the-top spectacle than it is heart.
Posted May 08, 2022
|
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B+
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The Legend of Molly Johnson
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
It’s easy to forget the film’s minor weaknesses when you see the tour de force lead performance from Leah Purcell.
Posted May 08, 2022
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B
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Downton Abbey: A New Era
(2022)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Downton Abbey: A New Era isn’t breaking new ground but it’s still easy to watch.
Posted May 08, 2022
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B+
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After Yang
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Movies about robots and artificial intelligence are not new but After Yang takes interesting ideas and weaves them together into something emotional and thought-provoking.
Posted Apr 25, 2022
|
|
C+
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The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
(2022)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Its a one-note idea stretched out over 107 minutes.
Posted Apr 25, 2022
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|
A-
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The Good Boss
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Its great to see Bardem in such a richly comedic role and he schmoozes the audience in the same way he does those around him within the film.
Posted Apr 25, 2022
|
|
A
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Everything Everywhere All at Once
(2022)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Its a rich, wonderful, audacious project that will energize audiences like a cool breeze on a hot summer day
Posted Apr 25, 2022
|
|
B
|
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
(2022)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
By a narrow margin, this is the best of the three Fantastic Beasts movies. The story is easier to follow, theres a better blend of comedy and drama, and Mikkelsen creates a worthy villain worth rooting against.
Posted Apr 06, 2022
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B+
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Ambulance
(2022)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
From the initial robbery to the long pursuit, writer Chris Fedak finds enough twists and turns to keep audiences engaged.
Posted Apr 06, 2022
|
|
B
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The Bad Guys
(2022)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Id have preferred a narrative with more complexity but The Bad Guys knows its audience and knows what its trying to sell. One for the kids.
Posted Apr 06, 2022
|
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B
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The Duke
(2020)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Academy Award winner Jim Broadbent relishes the chance to play such a fun character and that same vibe will rub off on audiences.
Posted Apr 06, 2022
|
|
B+
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X
(2022)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Its got a decent script, an energetic cast, and lots of style.
Posted Apr 06, 2022
|
|
A-
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Nowhere Special
(2020)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Pasolini doesnt milk this story any harder than needed. Tears will flow regardless.
Posted Apr 06, 2022
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|
B+
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It Snows in Benidorm
(2020)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
It Snows in Benidorm is an interesting tale that reminds us of the importance of romance, friendships, and general human connection.
Posted Mar 16, 2022
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B-
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Dog
(2022)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
The screenplay finds it hard to straddle the line between being a light-hearted animal flick that kids can equally enjoy, and a darker tale of war, PTSD and suicide.
Posted Mar 16, 2022
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B+
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The Batman
(2022)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Creating enough points of difference to distinguish itself from the successful Christopher Nolan-helmed Batman trilogy, The Batman is dark, interesting and a little frustrating.
Posted Mar 02, 2022
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B+
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Blind Ambition
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
If youre someone who likes seeing good things happen to good people, Blind Ambition deserves your attention.
Posted Feb 28, 2022
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|
A-
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Cyrano
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Its an old-fashioned story which has been beautifully told. Like something out of a Shakespearean comedy, the characters humorously skirt around the bleeding obvious without harnessing the courage to express their inner thoughts.
Posted Feb 28, 2022
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|
A
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Flee
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Flee is an incredibly moving film that highlights the emotional scars forever carried by refugees.
Posted Feb 28, 2022
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|
A
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C'mon C'mon
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Cmon Cmon is another high point in the career of Mike Mills. The way he can make audiences care so deeply about characters in the space of two hours is a skill many other filmmakers struggle to master.
Posted Feb 28, 2022
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C+
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Marry Me
(2022)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
While Notting Hill made it look so effortless, Marry Me is mishmash of scenes that lack credibility and coherency.
Posted Feb 09, 2022
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B+
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Drive My Car
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
I love the irony that a movie which such a simple, innocuous title could offer up such complexity.
Posted Feb 09, 2022
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|
A-
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Belfast
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Belfast has a big heart and much of the credit belongs to the cast and their stellar performances.
Posted Feb 09, 2022
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|
C+
|
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
It's just a shame the screenplay doesn't place more scrutiny on the character or the messed-up world of evangelicalism in general. That would have made it a far more interesting production.
Posted Jan 23, 2022
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B+
|
Nightmare Alley
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Nightmare Alley is an old-school tale told with precision.
Posted Jan 23, 2022
|
|
A-
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King Richard
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
It leans a little too much in one direction but King Richard also asks audiences to think about the relationship between parents and young kids when it comes to sport.
Posted Jan 23, 2022
|
|
A-
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Spencer
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Covering a curious mix of genres, Spencer adds up to something weird, fun and interesting.
Posted Jan 23, 2022
|
|
B
|
Parallel Mothers
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Penelope Cruz, collaborating with Pedro Almodóvar for the seventh time, relishes the chance to play a character consumed by turmoil.
Posted Jan 23, 2022
|
|
C
|
The King's Man
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Keep your expectations low with this one.
Posted Jan 06, 2022
|
|
B+
|
Ghostbusters: Afterlife
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Ghostbusters: Afterlife pitches itself as wholesome family entertainment and delivers by offering something for all ages.
Posted Jan 06, 2022
|
|
A-
|
Red Rocket
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Not pushing any profound messages or viewpoints, Red Rocket is an absorbing character study that asks us to look at Mike and then reflect on our own existence.
Posted Jan 06, 2022
|
|
B-
|
House of Gucci
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
Highlighting the pitfalls of family-run businesses, the problem with House of Gucci is its focus on the wrong people.
Posted Jan 06, 2022
|
|
B-
|
The French Dispatch
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
I've long been a fan of Wes Anderson but The French Dispatch is one of his least engaging efforts. It feels like a torrent of over-the-top narration and flashy adjectives.
Posted Dec 19, 2021
|
|
A
|
West Side Story
(2021)
|
Matthew Toomey
|
It feels like you're watching something both old and new at the same time - and I like that vibe.
Posted Dec 19, 2021
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