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Women Talking
(2022)
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Amie Simon
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Polley captures every nuance on her actors’ faces, letting the performances wash over you within the beauty of each frame. Easy to see how TALKING got Oscar noms for Best Picture & Adapted Screenplay, but it’s a crime Sarah didn’t get a Best Director nod.
Posted Mar 09, 2023
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The Fabelmans
(2022)
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Amie Simon
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THE FABELMANS is a lovely, human & very relatable story. The additional layer showing you the love of cinema ... from a Director who’s telling you how & when he fell in love with it, and a whose films you also love, is what makes the film truly special.
Posted Feb 11, 2023
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Sam Now
(2022)
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Amie Simon
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There are lots of wonderful things about this film, and it also just says SO MUCH. It gave me many feels about family, abandonment, relationships, trauma, feeling trapped and auuugggghhhh just so much other complicated life stuff.
Posted Jul 14, 2022
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Studio 666
(2022)
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Amie Simon
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This is definitely the kind of horror film you want a big group of friends to watch with for maximum enjoyment, and Im sure Foo Fighters fans will be thrilled to see them doing something completely different.
Posted Feb 22, 2022
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Blacklight
(2022)
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Amie Simon
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In addition to the action being pretty lackluster, theres a lot of heavy-handed commentary on the state of our country ... And honestly, theres no real stakes to fret over so theres nothing about the plot that kept me invested.
Posted Feb 10, 2022
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Mass
(2021)
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Amie Simon
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If there was ever a film that deserved award nominations for everyone, THIS is it.
Posted Oct 22, 2021
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Promising Young Woman
(2020)
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Amie Simon
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PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN is wickedly sharp and swings at the issues of consent and culpability from all sides.
Posted Dec 21, 2020
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Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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Inmate is a great portrait of a fascinating man. As much as I admired Trejo before, I'm all in now - and I can't wait for Machete Kills in Space!
Posted Jul 02, 2020
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Kate Nash: Underestimate the Girl
(2018)
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Amie Simon
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Goldstein is really great at mixing all the bits and pieces together, creating a solid thread for the viewer to follow - but really what makes this film so good is Nash herself.
Posted May 21, 2020
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Never Rarely Sometimes Always
(2020)
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Amie Simon
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One of the most beautiful, real, and heartbreaking coming-of-age stories I've ever seen. A story that shows how ugly life can be, especially for women - and also illustrates how the love and support of a friend can guide you through the worst times.
Posted Apr 03, 2020
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EMMA.
(2020)
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Amie Simon
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While Clueless remains, in my eyes, the very best adaptation of Jane Austen's "Emma," I will say that this frothy new version is pretty goddamn delightful as well.
Posted Feb 28, 2020
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Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
(2020)
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Amie Simon
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I can finally forget all about Suicide Squad now that we have a proper f*cking Harley Quinn movie. Birds of Prey is a big, sparkly gem of a comic book action movie - and watching Margot Robbie inhabit Harleen Quinzel was pure and absolute joy.
Posted Feb 07, 2020
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Underwater
(2020)
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Amie Simon
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Look, this movie is INCREDIBLY DUMB. But it's dumb in some very spectacular ways, and the creature work is 100% awesome. I had an enjoyable time watching, and I'll probably do it again - especially if I could somehow completely remove TJ Miller.
Posted Jan 11, 2020
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Bombshell
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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While it's led by a trio of powerful female performances, I ultimately found Director Jay Roach's fourth-wall breaking take on the Fox News/Roger Ailes scandal frustrating.
Posted Dec 18, 2019
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Jojo Rabbit
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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I know this world is dumpster fire of awful right now, but at least this movie made me feel light for a brief couple of hours. Waititi's excellent track record remains unblemished!
Posted Nov 13, 2019
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First Love
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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The film barrels into its third act in a glory of gunfire, swords, and of course, some gnarly decapitations.
Posted Oct 04, 2019
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Villains
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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This surprising little indie gem feels like it was made in another time, and if it didn't star Skarsgård & Monroe, I'd swear it was straight outta 1995.
Posted Sep 15, 2019
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Downton Abbey
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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This movie is the perfect end to Downton - everyone gets their moment, and all of their stories wrap up in a way that I loved. Of course I would love it if they did another one, but I'm also happy if this is the last thing we ever get.
Posted Sep 15, 2019
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It: Chapter Two
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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The whole thing is an overlong, jumbled, unenjoyable mess and the few flashbacks from the first movie only serve to highlight how empty this one feels. I have a new answer when someone asks me what the worst horror movie sequel is.
Posted Sep 06, 2019
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Tigers Are Not Afraid
(2017)
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Amie Simon
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YES, writer and director Issa López's first venture into horror is just as good as you've been hearing. Tigers Are Not Afraid is a fantastic dark fairy tale that blends the horror of real life with the supernatural for an unforgettable watch.
Posted Sep 01, 2019
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Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché
(2018)
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Amie Simon
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Have you ever heard of Director Alice Guy-Blaché? You probably haven't - and the reason isn't a huge surprise: THE PATRIARCHY. Thankfully Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché, Directed by Pamela B. Green, is here to illuminate all of us.
Posted Aug 24, 2019
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Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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The car chases in this thing are of course, INCREDIBLE, and I especially loved watching Brixton and his robot motorcycle slide effortlessly underneath trucks and move in ways you don't usually see vehicles - or humans - moving.
Posted Aug 01, 2019
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Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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Do you love Tarantino? Filmmaking? The history of Hollywood? The 60s? Cameos galore? Yes? Well then, go forth my friends, and see this. You'll probably love it.
Posted Jul 26, 2019
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Midsommar
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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Ari Aster's follow-up to Hereditary is everything I want in a fucked-up, fantastical, creepy cult horror film - and also more than that (but I can't tell you what that more is without spoiling everything for you ...
Posted Jul 25, 2019
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Toy Story 4
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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There is SO MUCH TO LOVE. Even though the core gang is pushed to the side to give Bo, Woody & Forky the main spotlight, I was absolutely thrilled with the directions the characters were taken in, and also with the new characters that were introduced.
Posted Jun 26, 2019
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Late Night
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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Sometimes you just want that magical, fantastical almost-fairy tale movie that you can laugh at with a good friend. I did that with mine, and we left the film with extremely good feelings; our reverence for Emma intact.
Posted Jun 14, 2019
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Koko-di Koko-da
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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A haunting and beautiful descent into maddening, never-ending grief. Not for the faint of heart, and definitely a film you'll never forget seeing.
Posted Jun 03, 2019
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Godzilla: King of the Monsters
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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I spent the entirety of King of the Monsters experiencing ASMR whenever Godzilla's signature RAWR was emitted, kicking my feet in excitement, and clapping while cackling maniacally whenever my fave monsters showed up.
Posted May 30, 2019
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John Wick: Chapter 3 -- Parabellum
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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Bottom line: Parabellum is a little clunkier and a little campier than the previous two films, but it's still HELLA FUN and I will be happy watching Keanu do this until I die.
Posted May 16, 2019
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Her Smell
(2018)
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Amie Simon
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It still feels rare and precious to see a movie that is headlined by a complex female lead and Elisabeth Moss CRUSHES the part in Her Smell as Becky Something ...
Posted Apr 30, 2019
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Pet Sematary
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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It's always tough for Directors to take on a remake, especially when the original has established itself as a campy classic. But while I'm sympathetic to the challenges Kölsch & Widmyer faced, I feel like their version of Pet Sematary just did NOT work.
Posted Apr 05, 2019
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The Hummingbird Project
(2018)
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Amie Simon
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Alexander Skarsgård's performance is perfect, as usual, and I wish I could tell you that his spectacularly awkward dance down a hotel hallway was worth it - but all you really need is a GIF of that, and you're set.
Posted Mar 22, 2019
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Us
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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... will have you on the edge of your seat, yelling at the screen, hiding behind your hands, and laughing through the entire film, even when it plunges into its completely insane third act.
Posted Mar 21, 2019
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Captain Marvel
(2019)
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Amie Simon
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There are so many great scenes here, but also an incredibly amazing moment when you see Carol Danvers throw off the last of her doubts and realize the full extent of her power and IT IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I'VE EVER SEEN ON SCREEN.
Posted Mar 12, 2019
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The Beast Stalker
(2008)
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Amie Simon
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A must-see for its brilliant performances and breath-taking camera work.
Posted Mar 12, 2019
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The Merry Gentleman
(2009)
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Amie Simon
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The real star of this picture is MacDonald, whose range draws you in and makes you care about what's happening.
Posted Mar 12, 2019
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The Hurt Locker
(2008)
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Amie Simon
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Portraying the effects of war both psychologically and physically, The Hurt Locker features amazingly beautiful direction and superb performances.
Posted Mar 12, 2019
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I'm Going to Explode
(2008)
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Amie Simon
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Spent a little too much time focusing on the ennui, and the writing played into predictability just a bit too easily.
Posted Mar 12, 2019
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Paper Heart
(2009)
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Amie Simon
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Funny, charming, awkward, and totally believable ...
Posted Mar 12, 2019
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Inju: The Beast in the Shadow
(2008)
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Amie Simon
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Combining a heavy Film Noir influence and some S&M erotica, this film is fun despite its predictability with an equal number of laughs and excitement.
Posted Mar 12, 2019
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ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction
(2009)
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Amie Simon
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Once the extreme gore hits, the buckets of corn syrupy splatter and one liners don't stop (fans of Evil Dead and Dead Alive will be very, very happy).
Posted Mar 12, 2019
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(500) Days of Summer
(2009)
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Amie Simon
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This film puts a fresh spin on romantic comedies in a few ways, and even its overly cutesy moments (a Hall & Oates dance number in the park) totally work.
Posted Mar 10, 2019
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Cold Souls
(2009)
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Amie Simon
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Clever and contemplative with excellent performances all around.
Posted Mar 10, 2019
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Grace
(2009)
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Amie Simon
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Director Paul Solet's slow yet solid pacing wears on the nerves effectively, and Ladd's portrayal of innocence and steadfast denial push the film from great to exceptional - with the help of some really exquisite gore.
Posted Mar 10, 2019
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Herb and Dorothy
(2008)
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Amie Simon
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Herb & Dorothy Vogel are my new heroes. They prove definitively that anyone can appreciate, love and buy art. Plus, it's clear they adore each other as much as they love their collection.
Posted Mar 09, 2019
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Where the Wild Things Are
(2009)
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Amie Simon
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This isn't just an adaptation of a beloved children's book-it's a reworking of the story that captures the essence of the thing and blows it out in a way that's both unexpected and familiar.
Posted Mar 09, 2019
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The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
(2009)
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Amie Simon
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The contrast between the stark, bleak cities and the amazingly colorful, crazy acid-trip fantasy sequences was a visual treat. It definitely LOOKS fantastic. The problem is in the substance.
Posted Mar 09, 2019
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The Box
(2009)
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Amie Simon
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In short; it's kind of a mess. And as a whole, The Box doesn't add up to anything remotely entertaining.
Posted Mar 09, 2019
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Sherlock Holmes
(2009)
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Amie Simon
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mostly forgettable
Posted Mar 09, 2019
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Surrogates
(2009)
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Amie Simon
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Somewhere in the super-boring part, they add a cliché twist to the already cliché plot, and if you give it even a tiny bit of thought, an ending you can spot within the first 15 minutes. I walked out entirely disappointed.
Posted Mar 09, 2019
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