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C+
|
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
(2023)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
Though the movie successfully hits the over-500-page book's broad strokes, in doing so, it results in an overstuffed, hollowed-out adaptation that plays more like two movies than one by the time it gets to its third act.
Posted Nov 09, 2023
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B
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The Marvels
(2023)
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Kirsten Acuna
|
"Regardless of any hiccups, "The Marvels" satisfyingly gets its larger message across, that women should lean on each other, and know they're higher, further, faster — and stronger — together."
Posted Nov 08, 2023
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B+
|
Barbie
(2023)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
"Barbie" manages to straddle a vibrant film filled with enough Easter eggs and nods to the doll's 64-year history to necessitate a second watch with a self-critical piece for those who believe Barbie is a detriment to feminism.
Posted Jul 18, 2023
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C+
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The Flash
(2023)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
Stuffed with unnecessary cameos seemingly for the sake of it, "The Flash" contains glimpses of fun, but is tonally uneven. It's often in conflict with itself over whether it wants to be a Batman nostalgia fest or about the fastest man alive.Â
Posted Jun 16, 2023
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B+
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The Little Mermaid
(2023)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
Fantastic performances and a few smart updates aside, Marshall largely delivers the same paint-by-numbers story in a longer movie that should've pushed the bar more with its antagonist instead of wasting time on forgettable new songs.
Posted May 22, 2023
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B-
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Fast X
(2023)
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Kirsten Acuna
|
"Fast X" plays like an "Infinity War'' wannabe, right down to its massive surprise ending and purple-clothed antagonist.
Posted May 17, 2023
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B+
|
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
(2023)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
Gunn delivers an emotional sendoff for his ragtag group of misfits that possesses the humor and heart of the first two movies. Devoid of any real stakes, "Vol. 3" is not the best of the trilogy, but it's better than the last outing.
Posted Apr 28, 2023
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B
|
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
(2023)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
Infused with the childlike joy that made the first so enjoyable, "Shazam: Fury of the Gods" explores the complexities of what it means to be a hero and how everyone can be worthy if given the chance. It isn't a superpower that makes us powerful.
Posted Mar 16, 2023
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|
|
Avatar: The Way of Water
(2022)
|
Jason Guerrasio
|
Watching "The Way of Water" is seeing the future of big blockbuster movies where the CGI is so crisp and beautiful (especially with 3D) that it's impossible for the eye to not think it's real.
Posted Dec 13, 2022
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|
|
The Fabelmans
(2022)
|
Jason Guerrasio
|
Spielberg goes several steps further than putting his heart on his sleeve — he basically rips open his chest and bares everything, guts and all.
Posted Nov 11, 2022
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B+
|
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
(2022)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
While full of breathtaking visuals, a few truly shocking moments, and another Grammy-worthy soundtrack from Ludwig Göransson, the sequel wastes a decent portion of its lengthy two-hour-and-41-minute runtime on setting up spin-offs.
Posted Nov 08, 2022
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C
|
Black Adam
(2022)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
[Johnson's] performance is one of the film's few highlights other than a shocking mid-credits reveal.
Posted Oct 18, 2022
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|
|
Blonde
(2022)
|
Jason Guerrasio
|
Despite the movie being top-notch in everything from its production design, costuming, make-up, and cinematography, Dominik doesn't give the movie much of a narrative thread.
Posted Sep 28, 2022
|
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C
|
Pinocchio
(2022)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
While it makes some vast improvements to problematic scenes and material in the original 1940 film, holy smoke-io, it adds almost as many unnecessary and frustratingly bonkers new changes.
Posted Sep 08, 2022
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B+
|
Thor: Love and Thunder
(2022)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
If you liked 2017's "Thor: Ragnarok," you'll enjoy this, even if it does follow a few beats from the previous film a bit closely.
Posted Jul 05, 2022
|
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B+
|
Lightyear
(2022)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
The real selling point was a great, unexpected twist late in the film, proving that Pixar still has some surprises to offer from this franchise instead of simply milking the "Toy Story" franchise as a cash cow.
Posted Jun 17, 2022
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B
|
Jurassic World Dominion
(2022)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
The sequel is at its best when the old and new "Jurassic" casts are together, but it takes far too long for them to team up.
Posted Jun 08, 2022
|
|
A-
|
The Bob's Burgers Movie
(2022)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
"I was curious to know if the film would play well with audiences who weren't familiar with the show. (Good news: It does by delivering a fun musical murder mystery that's reminiscent of a "Scooby-Doo" whodunit.)"
Posted May 23, 2022
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C+
|
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
(2022)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
"Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" is filled with mind-bending visuals and huge action sequences, but it's also destined to be Marvel's most divisive film in years.
Posted May 04, 2022
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|
B-
|
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
(2022)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
The franchise would be better off sidelining the creatures to get to the main event people are really coming to these films to see: the infamous Dumbledore and Grindelwald duel.
Posted Apr 05, 2022
|
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A-
|
The Batman
(2022)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
Director Matt Reeves delivers a gritty action thriller reminiscent of "Se7en" and "Zodiac" that finally makes "the world's greatest detective" deserving of the title.
Posted Feb 28, 2022
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C+
|
Uncharted
(2022)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
"Uncharted" isn't a terrible movie it's enjoyable enough with a few sprawling action sequences but the wannabe "National Treasure" is a generic action movie that never captures the full excitement of playing through the franchise.
Posted Feb 19, 2022
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|
A-
|
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
(2014)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
It's difficult to top a billion-dollar movie with so much star power - and with the absence of Tony Stark - but it comes pretty darn close.
Posted Jan 17, 2022
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|
B+
|
The Last Duel
(2021)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
"The Last Duel" is a movie that will stay with you long afterwards for its heavy material. Expect to hear this film's name come Oscar time.
Posted Jan 17, 2022
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|
B-
|
The Matrix Resurrections
(2021)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
"Resurrections" feels like it's trying to tap into the success of other franchise reboots like "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," straddling the line between nostalgia and a reboot that will (likely) kick off an entirely new series of "Matrix" films.
Posted Dec 21, 2021
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A-
|
Spider-Man: No Way Home
(2021)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
Easily a film you'll want to watch again, "No Way Home" is a ride I never wanted to end. It's a marvel that something this ambitious came together.
Posted Dec 14, 2021
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|
A-
|
West Side Story
(2021)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
Spielberg's "West Side Story" is beautifully shot and faithful to the original Broadway show and film. It's also bold enough to finally feel authentic without succumbing to the pressures of catering to a monolingual audience.
Posted Dec 02, 2021
|
|
A
|
Encanto
(2021)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
"Encanto" is a beautiful and vibrant celebration of a family, filled with the enchanting magic of "Beauty and the Beast" and the heart of Disney and Pixar's "Coco."
Posted Nov 16, 2021
|
|
C
|
Eternals
(2021)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
One of Marvel's most ambitious movies in years is also one of its weakest since "Thor: The Dark World."
Posted Oct 24, 2021
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|
|
Venom: Let There Be Carnage
(2021)
|
Jason Guerrasio
|
Tom Hardy decided to burn everything to the ground that makes a franchise successful and use the ash to formulate a new kind of offbeat formula that will make him equally famous.
Posted Sep 30, 2021
|
|
|
No Time to Die
(2021)
|
Jason Guerrasio
|
It still feels a little shocking that Daniel Craig's time in the tux is through, but for his final performance, he does deliver some of his best work.
Posted Sep 29, 2021
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|
|
The Rescue
(2021)
|
Jason Guerrasio
|
Vasarhelyi and Chin have made the definitive retelling of this event and whatever I see after I will always compare it to what I saw in "The Rescue."
Posted Sep 17, 2021
|
|
|
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
(2021)
|
Jason Guerrasio
|
The movie is certainly entertaining, but nothing that would keep you engaged if it weren't for the work of Chastain and Garfield.
Posted Sep 13, 2021
|
|
A
|
Free Guy
(2021)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
Reynolds and Levy not only made a great video game movie, but also an unexpectedly smart satire on toxic video game work culture without it being boring or tough to understand.
Posted Aug 15, 2021
|
|
A-
|
The Suicide Squad
(2021)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
"The Suicide Squad" is relentlessly unapologetic, wacky and weird, violent and bloody, and darkly humorous. It also has so much heart that you may find yourself fighting back tears by its end.
Posted Jul 28, 2021
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B-
|
Black Widow
(2021)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
"Black Widow" is a decent action vehicle and spy thriller, even if it feels a bit paint-by-numbers and years late to the screen.
Posted Jun 29, 2021
|
|
C
|
Soul
(2020)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
I wish the film focused on and channeled more of its energy into that relationship and Joe's own life rather than his bump-in with 22.
Posted Jun 28, 2021
|
|
B-
|
F9 The Fast Saga
(2021)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
"F9" is mindless fun to enjoy on the big screen with a rollicking crowd, something we've all been waiting for after a year of being cooped up at home.
Posted Jun 18, 2021
|
|
B-
|
Cruella
(2021)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
It's unclear if Disney is rewriting history to change its villain or if the studio's leaving something open for a potential sequel.
Posted May 27, 2021
|
|
B+
|
Army Of The Dead
(2021)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
"Army" is a compelling twist on the genre and a gamble by Netflix, which, if it pays off, will give the streaming service a huge original zombie universe.
Posted May 12, 2021
|
|
B+
|
Zack Snyder's Justice League
(2021)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
This movie was willed to life by the fans and made for fans, who will leave this film largely satisfied and hungry for more. More than three years later, justice is served.
Posted Mar 15, 2021
|
|
|
The Little Things
(2021)
|
Jason Guerrasio
|
Leto seems to never blink in this movie, and has hilariously twisted one-liners. His WTF performance saves the movie.
Posted Jan 26, 2021
|
|
|
Sylvie's Love
(2020)
|
Candice Frederick
|
Sylvie's humanity is never marginalized. We feel her joy, her pitfalls, and most importantly her love. We see the same for Robert as well.
Posted Jan 14, 2021
|
|
|
Wonder Woman 1984
(2020)
|
Jason Guerrasio
|
If you need something uplifting, but set around action, this one is worth watching.
Posted Dec 15, 2020
|
|
|
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
(2020)
|
Jason Guerrasio
|
What Chadwick Boseman leaves onscreen here will be celebrated for a long time.
Posted Nov 20, 2020
|
|
B
|
Over the Moon
(2020)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
If you've lost someone close to you, or have grown up with a single parent, "Over the Moon" perfectly captures the hesitation one may experience in allowing new love into your life.
Posted Oct 23, 2020
|
|
|
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
(2020)
|
Jason Guerrasio
|
The only way "Borat 2" can work is if the bar is higher than the first. This is a hugely daunting task, but Cohen pulls it off leading to moments that you can't believe were possible.
Posted Oct 21, 2020
|
|
|
Pieces of a Woman
(2020)
|
Jason Guerrasio
|
"Pieces of a Woman" is a movie that's best absorbed on your own with zero distractions.
Posted Sep 21, 2020
|
|
|
One Night in Miami
(2020)
|
Jason Guerrasio
|
The movie's greatest strength is having Regina King at the helm as director. You need someone with a keen understanding of performances and subtleties to pull off a movie like this.
Posted Sep 11, 2020
|
|
A
|
Mulan
(2020)
|
Kirsten Acuna
|
While the film pays homage to the original, it stands on its own and feels more like a superhero movie about a young woman embracing her power than a film about a Disney princess.
Posted Sep 03, 2020
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