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3/4
|
The Little Mermaid
(2023)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'The Little Mermaid' follows the counters of its animated predecessor rather faithfully. It includes a couple of new songs and a bit-too-long, but lively, dance sequence, but they do not detract from the overall production.
Posted May 29, 2023
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3.5/4
|
Mom & Dad's Nipple Factory
(2023)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'Mom and Dad’s Nipple Factory' is a pleasant and compassionate movie that is more about faith and family than Brian’s invention. It is heartwarming viewing about ingenuity and, more importantly, love.
Posted May 07, 2023
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2.5/4
|
The Blacklight
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
At times, 'The Blacklight' trips over its own ambitious storytelling. The crime and supernatural elements don’t always mesh, but overall, Snow is able to offer a satisfying conclusion that does not disappoint.
Posted Apr 10, 2023
|
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3/4
|
Burt Reynolds: The Last Interview
(2023)
|
Bob Bloom
|
Reynolds is serious throughout the interview because, despite what audiences saw on screen, he took acting seriously.
Posted Mar 27, 2023
|
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3.5/4
|
Tomorrow's Hope
(2021)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'Tomorrow’s Hope' also looks at those who are trying to help these children, most notably Jackie Robinson, a woman determined to nurture and give children a sense of self-worth and purpose.
Posted Mar 11, 2023
|
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3/4
|
Mind Leech
(2023)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'Mind Leech' is schlocky, but in an affectionate sense. It’s sort of a creature-feature homage that deftly combines scares and laughs.
Posted Mar 01, 2023
|
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2.5/4
|
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania
(2023)
|
Bob Bloom
|
Despite some flaws, “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” is a joy ride. Because it does not take itself too seriously, you won’t either, which is the best way to experience this latest Marvel adventure.
Posted Feb 15, 2023
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2.5/4
|
The Last Deal
(2023)
|
Bob Bloom
|
A lot of movement keeps the film on a rapid pace as a frenzied Vince travels around the city trying to devise a resolution to his overwhelming problem.
Posted Feb 02, 2023
|
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2.5/4
|
80 for Brady
(2023)
|
Bob Bloom
|
The movie is predictable. It also is amusing, charming, a bit naughty and fun. It’s a feature in which you can simply sit back, relax and go with the flow.
Posted Feb 02, 2023
|
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3/4
|
Knock at the Cabin
(2023)
|
Bob Bloom
|
Shyamalan does a first-rate job of not tipping his hand too early. He keeps you guessing about the motives and sanity of the foursome.
Posted Feb 02, 2023
|
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3/4
|
Raymond Lewis: L.A. Legend
(2021)
|
Bob Bloom
|
The movie, directed by Ryan Polomski and co-directed by Dean Prator, details how institutions — be it Cal State L.A. or the 76ers — take advantage of young athletes, especially those from poor backgrounds.
Posted Jan 28, 2023
|
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3/4
|
Fairways to Happiness
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
The movie is a refreshing experience, and it may even help change your outlook on life.
Posted Jan 25, 2023
|
|
3.5/4
|
Women Talking
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'Women Talking' is a painful movie. Not in a physical manner, but in the way the women reveal what they have been through and try to filter it with their strong belief in God. At times, their anguish jumps from the screen into your soul.
Posted Jan 19, 2023
|
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3/4
|
Rickshaw Girl
(2021)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'Rickshaw Girl' rests on the shoulders of Novera Rahman as Naima. She refuses to accept the limitations of her patriarchal society and will do anything — including defying cultural conventions — to assist her family.
Posted Jan 16, 2023
|
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2.5/4
|
Mind Exchange Music Presents: The Showcase
(2023)
|
Bob Bloom
|
The movie also celebrates collaboration. Egos are put aside as musicians, singers, composers, arrangers, sound engineers and others necessary to produce the showcase work together to get the best possible results.
Posted Jan 09, 2023
|
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2/4
|
Babylon
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
Chazelle’s three-plus-hour opus plays like a mocking homage to “Singin’ in the Rain” that, instead of highlighting song and dance, concentrates on tits, ass and drugs.
Posted Dec 21, 2022
|
|
3/4
|
The Seasons: Four Love Stories
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
“The Seasons: Four Love Stories” is a quiet feature that sneaks up on you, offering some joy and positivity in a world cluttered with noisy bombast and a growing sense of frustration and futility.
Posted Dec 20, 2022
|
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3/4
|
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
The adult and somber themes of “Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio” may be off-putting. It is aimed more for adults than children.
Posted Dec 16, 2022
|
|
1/4
|
Twisted
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
Muasaya gives up on that premise a little more than halfway through “Twisted,” so the only detail left is the figure out who else will be killed and who will survive.
Posted Dec 15, 2022
|
|
1.5/4
|
Avatar: The Way of Water
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
Cameron and his cronies just expect us to marvel at his technological acumen and forget that filmmakers are supposed to entertain audiences, not expend energy to impress them with their moviemaking expertise.
Posted Dec 13, 2022
|
|
2.5/4
|
Emancipation
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
Despite the noble intentions of Fuqua and writer Bill Collage, “Emancipation” is formulaic, with Peter continually outsmarting his pursuers as he traverses the dangerous Louisiana swamps to achieve his goal.
Posted Dec 09, 2022
|
|
3/4
|
The Whale
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
Fraser touches your emotions. Whatever your opinions of the choices Charlies has made, he is not a bad man.
Posted Dec 08, 2022
|
|
1.5/4
|
White Noise
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
Even though “White Noise” is supposed to be a black comedy, it doesn’t feel funny because the characters are too earnest and serious.
Posted Dec 06, 2022
|
|
3/4
|
Clean Slate
(2021)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'Clean Slate' candidly and unflinchingly details the terrible toll drugs take on people and those around them — as well as the will power and sheer determination needed to conquer those addictions.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
|
|
3.5/4
|
The Scottish Play
(2019)
|
Bob Bloom
|
Theater buffs and devotees of Shakespeare will embrace this small and delightful feature. Trust me when I say that his “Scottish Play” is no tragedy.
Posted Nov 25, 2022
|
|
1.5/4
|
Strange World
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
The movie lacks vigor and a sense of urgency. The script is unwieldy and most of the dialogue feels as if it were written with exclamation points.
Posted Nov 24, 2022
|
|
3/4
|
Bones and All
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
It is dark and disturbing, but never morbid. It’s also soulful and mournful with a sweetness that you can almost taste.
Posted Nov 23, 2022
|
|
3.5/4
|
Murder, Anyone?
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
Bressack’s sly filmmaking lets us know that the actors — especially those in the constant-changing play within the movie — are in on the joke.
Posted Oct 26, 2022
|
|
3.5/4
|
Bad Axe
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'Bad Axe' covers a lot of issues, but at the core of the movie is the Sievs. Their ... journey to fulfill ... the American Dream is sometimes bumpy, but their determination and love — for each other and their adopted home — is ... inspirational.
Posted Oct 21, 2022
|
|
1.5/4
|
Arranged Marriage
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'Arranged Marriage' could have been a much sharper movie if Rangi had curbed his ferocity. Rangi may have been aiming for a Bollywood spoof, but instead, he has created a disturbing cultural clash that is more offensive than biting.
Posted Oct 17, 2022
|
|
3.5/4
|
She Said
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
It is a story worth revisiting because the abuses perpetrated by Weinstein and the silence of those who enabled him, is not limited to the movie industry.
Posted Oct 16, 2022
|
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4/4
|
Till
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
Till' is one of the best movies of 2022. It is ... a chronicle of mother love. It’s also a tribute to Mamie Till Mobley’s heart-wrenching step of sharing her personal grief, opening the eyes of the world to her senseless and devastating loss.
Posted Oct 12, 2022
|
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2/4
|
Amsterdam
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
At 134 minutes, “Amsterdam” stumbles like a cinematic inebriate, unable to stay focused on one aspect of its story for too long.
Posted Oct 04, 2022
|
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3/4
|
8:37 Rebirth
(2021)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'8:37 Rebirth' is a story about obsession, consequences and responsibility ...
Posted Oct 04, 2022
|
|
3.5/4
|
Bros
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
The movie’s depiction of gay people as complicated and imperfect with foibles, hopes and fears — no different from members of the straight community — is a point of view that has been missing or ignored from mainstream movies for much too long.
Posted Sep 29, 2022
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2.5/4
|
I'll Find You
(2019)
|
Bob Bloom
|
One aspect of “I’ll Find You” that I found disconcerting was its sanitizing of the Holocaust. I realize the extermination of Europe’s Jews was not the centerpiece of the movie, but it seems disingenuous to gloss over that horror so casually.
Posted Sep 26, 2022
|
|
3.5/4
|
The Woman King
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
As Nanisca, (Viola) Davis would give Keanu Reeves’ John Wick pause. She is a battle-scarred, muscular, no-nonsense leader who does not mollycoddle her troops nor fear speaking truth to power. ...
Posted Sep 18, 2022
|
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2.5/4
|
Clerks III
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'Clerks III' spotlights how Smith has mellowed. The movie is not as chaotic as his earlier features; it is more heartwarming and sentimental. It just takes a long time to get to those moments.
Posted Sep 13, 2022
|
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3/4
|
Love in Kilnerry
(2019)
|
Bob Bloom
|
The main lesson of “Love in Kilnerry” seems to be that people need an outside agent or excuse to reveal their true selves and act on their impulses.
Posted Sep 03, 2022
|
|
2.5/4
|
Sunspot
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
(Director Brian) Mihok appears sure of himself and what he wants his movie to say.
Posted Sep 02, 2022
|
|
3/4
|
The Valet
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'The Valet' will not win any awards; it could easily have been trimmed by a few minutes. Still, it’s a comfort-food movie that is enjoyable and easy to digest.
Posted Aug 30, 2022
|
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3/4
|
Greywood's Plot
(2019)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'Greywood’s Plot' is an old fashioned, scary feature that belies its low budget and limited cast. It takes you on a bump-in-the-night ride that you won’t soon forget.
Posted Aug 28, 2022
|
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3.5/4
|
We Are Gathered Here Today
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'We Are Gathered Here Today' allows you to image what it must have been like for the thousands of families who had to say their goodbyes to loved ones without being able to hold a hand, offer words of comfort or thanks or give a final kiss or embrace.
Posted Aug 26, 2022
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|
2.5/4
|
Eradication
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'Eradication' is no better nor worse than any of the other pandemic-related features shot and released since COVID-19 changed our lives.
Posted Aug 22, 2022
|
|
2.5/4
|
Beast
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
What is interesting about the movie, directed by Baltasar Kormákur (“Everest”), is that he allows you to understand and accept the lion’s murderous ferocity. You actually feel some sympathy for the beast.
Posted Aug 18, 2022
|
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2.5/4
|
Take the Night
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'Take the Night' is a decent potboiler that tries to be more than a crime thriller. McTigue takes a good shot, but narrowly misses hitting a bulls-eye.
Posted Aug 17, 2022
|
|
2.5/4
|
Camping Trip
(2021)
|
Bob Bloom
|
But as the movie progresses, the air of menace increases, as does the threat of violence. And when it does happen, instead of being shocking, it is diluted by being presented in slow motion. This ... emphasizes and tempers the horror of the brutality.
Posted Aug 12, 2022
|
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3/4
|
Prey
(2022)
|
Bob Bloom
|
Pitting so-called primitive people armed with hatchets, knives and bows and arrows against an alien with advanced technology makes for exciting and edge-of-your-seat viewing.
Posted Aug 06, 2022
|
|
3.5/4
|
Potato Dreams of America
(2021)
|
Bob Bloom
|
'Potato Dreams of America' is a warm and appealing. ... It’s not only a celebration of the immigrant experience, but a loving portrait of acceptance and, ultimately, being true to yourself and having the courage to reveal who you really are.
Posted Aug 03, 2022
|
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3.5/4
|
Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song
(2021)
|
Bob Bloom
|
The film details Cohen’s complexities and his continual search for spirituality, which he tried to achieve in life, his poetry and his music. And we all are better for it.
Posted Aug 02, 2022
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