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4/4
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Monster
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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A beautiful piano-driven score by the late Ryuichi Sakamoto enhances the film’s heartwarming atmosphere. The cast is exceptional, plus Kore-eda and Sakamoto make a wonderful team. This is why I go to the movies. One of the best films of the year.
Posted Dec 05, 2023
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3/4
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Silent Night
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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The training sequences can get a bit tedious, but Woo delivers the thrills and kills we have come to expect. They may not reach the level of the filmmaker’s 90s classics but it's still it’s an entertaining thrill ride from the master of action.
Posted Dec 03, 2023
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3/4
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Dream Scenario
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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The first half of the film is very funny but once the story turned dark, I was hit with overwhelming sadness while watching Paul’s life fall apart. The final act goes a bit off the rails but Cage is terrific. Heavy Ari Aster vibes.
Posted Dec 03, 2023
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3.5/4
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Saltburn
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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“Saltburn” feels at times like a John Waters film as it moseys through “Talented Mr. Ripley” territory, occasionally taking a pit stop in Divine’s neck of the woods before reaching its Downton Abbey-on-poppers destination. Devilishly entertaining.
Posted Nov 27, 2023
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3.5/4
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Napoleon
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Ridley Scott rewrites history, cuts to the chase, and has fun with the French Emperor while Joaquin Phoenix scowls his way through the epic biopic. A remarkable epic that is both stunning and hypnotic.
Posted Nov 24, 2023
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4/4
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The Holdovers
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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The snow-covered landscape, Christmas setting, a jazzy folk score by Mark Orton, and wonderful performances by Giamatti, Randolph, and Sessa, make this a must-see! “The Holdovers” is destined to become a cherished holiday classic.
Posted Nov 21, 2023
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3/4
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The Mission
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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It is a bit overwhelming at times as directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss hit the audience with an overabundance of information as interviews, clips, animation, and home movies come at you at a fast pace. Still, a fascinating watch.
Posted Nov 19, 2023
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3/4
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Thanksgiving
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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‘Thanksgiving’ is no turkey as Eli Roth carves his own path into a holiday-themed horror franchise by serving up a feature stuffed with gore, comedy, and nostalgia. It may not become as traditional as the Macy’s Parade but seconds seem to be in order.
Posted Nov 19, 2023
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4/4
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The Killer
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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The 70s-influenced thriller moves at a steady pace venturing into neo-noir territory. The visual palette is crisp and sharp with plenty of Fassbender closeups and a downtempo score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross that prowls through each frame.
Posted Nov 12, 2023
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After Death
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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The stories and reenactments by the people who died, died (sorry, the Jim Carroll Band just popped into my head) are scary as hell. Stephen Gray and Chris Radtke may not bring anything new to the table but it’s a fascinating topic for the faith-driven
Posted Nov 11, 2023
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3/4
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Five Nights at Freddy's
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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With humor and a few minor bloody scenes plus the ghost children element, Five Nights at Freddy’s falls somewhere between R. L. Stine’s Goosebumps and Gremlins. It’s creepy fun for kids and adults, however, young children may find a few scenes frightening
Posted Nov 11, 2023
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3.5/4
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The Persian Version
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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A vibrant comedy that perfectly balances the film’s dramatic overtone with continuous pockets of levity. It’s a story of determination and independence, filled with headstrong female characters overcoming misogynistic prejudice. It's also a lot of fun
Posted Nov 11, 2023
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Grapefruit
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Chase Joliet’s must-see addiction drama is filled with authentic performances. Rosanna Arquette is the best she’s ever been, and Steph Barkley steals the show.
Posted Nov 11, 2023
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4/4
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Priscilla
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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A bold and fearless deep dive worthy of Oscar recognition and a perfect fit for writer-director Sofia Coppola. Cailee Spaeny’s absorbing performance keeps the audience spellbound while the soundtrack minus Elvis works to the film's advantage.
Posted Nov 11, 2023
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3.5/4
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Killers of the Flower Moon
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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One of the best films of the year. Lily Gladstone is the heart of Scorsese’s true-crime drama and Robbie Robertson's score is electrifying.
Posted Oct 24, 2023
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4/4
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Anatomy of a Fall
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Justine Triet puts the audience in the jury’s position with no clues to sway us in either direction, therefore the audience is absorbing every detail. A thriller in the true sense of the word with a knockout performance by Sandra Hüller.
Posted Oct 24, 2023
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3/4
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Butcher's Crossing
(2022)
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Joe Friar
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Fear, anxiety, and dread drive Gabe Polsky’s bleak drama which resembles the dark revisionist Westerns from the 70s and 80s, from the Eastwood films to the horror-tinged “The White Buffalo.” Solid cast with Cage delivering a low-key performance.
Posted Oct 24, 2023
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4/4
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When Evil Lurks
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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A masterful work of horror that tackles the possession genre from a fresh perspective. Not for the faint of heart. It leaves you with images of horror that will remain forever embedded in your psyche.
Posted Oct 11, 2023
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3.5/4
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Fair Play
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Domont carefully crafts a cautionary tale of male fragility with powerhouse performances by Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich which propel the erotic thriller into the stratosphere. As gender roles are redefined, Domont takes us to a shocking climax.
Posted Oct 05, 2023
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3/4
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Saw X
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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The original Let’s Make a Deal host of torture returns, Tobin Bell as John Kramer aka Jigsaw, who restores a pulse to the lifeless franchise. Bell shines in the additional screen time making his character more human. The carnage and tension excessive
Posted Sep 30, 2023
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3.5/4
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Flora and Son
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Carney hits all the right notes as the filmmaker uses the power of music to heal the relationship between a single mother and her distant teenage son. Hewson and Kinlan are terrific. Flora and Son hits all the right notes. A charmer.
Posted Sep 30, 2023
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4/4
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Carlos
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Rudy Valdez’s documentary is a rarity. It pays tribute to the music and the artist, but it also clearly defines the life experiences that shaped Carlos Santana and how those experiences led to his clearly defined purpose in life and his spirituality.
Posted Sep 23, 2023
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3.5/4
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Between Two Worlds
(2021)
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Joe Friar
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The film offers no solutions but delivers a reminder that regardless of our placement in the hierarchical social stratum, we are the same. It also calls for respect for those working hard to make ends meet. Another great performance by Juliette Binoche.
Posted Sep 22, 2023
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3/4
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The Nun II
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Taissa Farmiga returns as Sister Irene for cloistered encounters of the second kind. Darker and more frightening than its predecessor. The gothic atmosphere and shadowy glimpses of the terrifying nun make for the perfect horror atmosphere.
Posted Sep 22, 2023
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3.5/4
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Cassandro
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Gael García Bernal is sensational as the exótico simpatico who enchanted a nation while empowering the LGBTQ+ community.
Posted Sep 22, 2023
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3/4
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It Lives Inside
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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A tense and chilling thriller that draws strength from its Hindi roots. Bishal Dutta’s debut horror feature incorporates real tension heightened by an active soundscape. Megan Suri is the film’s VIP as her closeups gauge the film's level of horror
Posted Sep 22, 2023
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3.5/4
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Fremont
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Filled with wonderful low-key performances highlighted by Anaita Wali Zada’s natural portrayal of Donya. It’s quirky yet poignant. Babak Jalali's fourth feature strikes up a perfect balance of Sehnsucht and comedy.
Posted Sep 22, 2023
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3.5/4
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Bottoms
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Seligman and Sennott drop the funniest comedy of the year. Think estrogen-fueled “Superbad” with laugh-out-loud moments.
Posted Sep 03, 2023
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4/4
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The Unknown Country
(2022)
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Joe Friar
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Morrisa Maltz’s debut narrative feature is a beautifully shot film of a land united that leaves the viewer longing for the harmony displayed in this cross-section of the American Midwest. Lilly Gladstone is terrific in one the best films of the year
Posted Sep 03, 2023
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3.5/4
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Piaffe
(2022)
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Joe Friar
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Resembling a work of Lynchian cinema, or an average night at NYC’s Limelight in the 90s, the visceral film by writer-director Ann Oren moves with cadence through the present unconcerned with the whys and hows of the past. Simone Bucio sells it.
Posted Sep 03, 2023
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3/4
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The Hill
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Toggling back and forth between a sports drama and a faith-based film, Jeff Celentano aims to please by never getting too gritty. Sappy at times, but the feel-good film leaves you inspired just as the filmmakers intended.
Posted Aug 30, 2023
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3/4
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Golda
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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The character-driven film incorporates actual footage to tell the story that is highlighted by scenes of Helen Mirren’s Meir and Liev Schreiber’s Kissinger negotiating to de-escalate the conflict. The first-rate cast makes up for the lack of tension.
Posted Aug 30, 2023
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4/4
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Passages
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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The film's title refers to the entrances and exists of these character’s lives or it could refer to the paths cleared by their actions that lead down the uncertainty of life. Whishaw and Exarchopoulos are superb, but this is Rogowski’s moment of triumph
Posted Aug 21, 2023
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3/4
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Landscape with Invisible Hand
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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If you took the aliens out of the equation this would be a much better film. Still, I must embrace the quirkiness of Finley’s third feature. The cast is solid and If you’re a fan of offbeat cinema, this is your ticket.
Posted Aug 21, 2023
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3.5/4
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Blue Beetle
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Gather the family for this fun-filled adventure chock-full of laughs and plenty of heart. Xolo Maridueña and George Lopez lead the solid cast which also includes the great Adriana Barraza as the scene-stealing Nana.
Posted Aug 21, 2023
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3/4
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The Last Voyage of the Demeter
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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A terrific cast led by Corey Hawkins, chilling visuals, and a terrifying Dracula make this voyage worth taking.
Posted Aug 12, 2023
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Where the Devil Roams
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Blends religion, war, carnival sideshows, and the Frankenstein mythos. Solid performances from the cast and a heavy dose of residual horror that sticks with you long after viewing continue to make The Adams Family heavyweights in the horror genre.
Posted Aug 11, 2023
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3/4
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The Beanie Bubble
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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The non-linear timeline is the film’s biggest problem. However, there are plenty of entertaining moments courtesy of the solid cast led by a terrific Zach Galifianakis.
Posted Aug 11, 2023
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4/4
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Talk to Me
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou emerge as the promising new voice of horror. It’s frightening, well-crafted, and on par with genre greats Wes Craven and Sam Raimi.
Posted Aug 11, 2023
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2/4
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Meg 2: The Trench
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Sharks, krakens, and dinosaurs, oh my! (yawn)
Posted Aug 11, 2023
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3.5/4
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Shortcomings
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Randall Park’s directorial debut is an enjoyable slacker comedy that represents Asian Americans while showcasing the ups and downs of dating in an authentic story that’s relatable to everyone. Funny + Real = Real Funny.
Posted Aug 11, 2023
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3/4
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Jules
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Turtletaub delivers a charming film for the older set much like the rash of recent Jane Fonda-Lily Tomlin movies. There are more laugh-out-loud moments than there are sentimental spurts of drama. Deadpan Kingsley is laugh-out-loud funny.
Posted Aug 11, 2023
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Blackout
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Larry Fessenden’s werewolf thriller is a throwback to the era of Lon Chaney Jr. true to the Lycan mythos. The violence is kept down to a handful of scenes with enough blood to satisfy horror fans while the film focuses on our protagonist's inner demons.
Posted Jul 25, 2023
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3/4
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The Miracle Club
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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It’s great to see a cast of this caliber together. Linney, Bates, and Smith elevate the film. Costume designer Judith Williams does a terrific job of dressing the actors for the period. It may get lost in the summer blockbusters. Seek it out.
Posted Jul 24, 2023
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4/4
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Oppenheimer
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Murphy executes with brilliance the complexities of Julius Robert Oppenheimer. It’s in his eyes and his voice. Featuring an all-star cast, the biopic moves at a breakneck speed. It’s fascinating and should come with an honorary degree in quantum physics.
Posted Jul 24, 2023
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3.5/4
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They Cloned Tyrone
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Loads of fun blending sci-fi, horror, and comedy while shelling out a healthy dose of social commentary. John Boyega is great, Teyonah Parris is charming and entertaining, and Jamie Foxx is the film’s VIP providing the best one-liners and laughs.
Posted Jul 24, 2023
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Vincent Must Die
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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Karim Leklou’s performance becomes the film’s driving force as the audience immediately feels empathy for the 30-ish character. The film begins as a dark comedy but as the story unfolds the laughter subsides and the horror is amped up.
Posted Jul 24, 2023
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4/4
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Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Part One
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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McQuarrie and Cruise deliver the must-see movie of the summer. Astonishing stunts and practical effects, a well-timed narrative, humor, and Esai Morales as a series-best villain.
Posted Jul 16, 2023
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3.5/4
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Joy Ride
(2023)
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Joe Friar
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I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard. Adele Lim’s fearless comedy gets down and dirty while tackling issues of identity, enculturation, and racial microaggressions. Did I mention it's very funny?
Posted Jul 13, 2023
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4/4
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A Ghost Story
(2017)
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Joe Friar
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On this date six years ago David Lowery’s ‘supernatural love story starring Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara opened in theatres. It remains one of the saddest and most beautiful films I’ve ever seen
Posted Jul 08, 2023
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