Movie Mom
Movie Mom is not a Tomatometer-approved publication. Reviews from this
publication only count toward the Tomatometer when written by the following
Tomatometer-approved critic(s):
Nell Minow
Rating
Title/Year
Author
1
B+
First Man (2018)
"First Man" respects the technical achievements and the breathtaking scope of the vision of the space race, but always keeps it real and personal.
Posted Oct 11, 2018
2
A-
The Hate U Give (2018)
An of-this-moment, vitally urgent story about race, culture, and America in 2018, but also a deeply human, deeply moving exploration of the most universal themes.
Posted Oct 5, 2018
3
B+
A Star Is Born (2018)
Achingly honest.
Posted Oct 3, 2018
4
C
Night School (2018)
The premise is in the title and the best jokes are all in the trailer.
Posted Sep 27, 2018
5
B+
Smallfoot (2018)
In between its colorful musical numbers, silly jokes, and action scenes, somehow manages to address some pretty big and complex issues in an accessible and nuanced way.
Posted Sep 27, 2018
6
B+
Fahrenheit 11/9 (2018)
Like all Moore movies, this one is uneven and polemical as well as illuminating, enraging, and - this is the great secret of Moore - ultimately hopeful.
Posted Sep 21, 2018
7
A-
Fair warning. It was about ten seconds into this film when the first "Hello, darling" dissolved any critical distance I could muster.
Posted Sep 19, 2018
8
B
An Actor Prepares (2018)
Irons is clearly overjoyed to have a chance to break out of Serious Actor mode and have some fun at the expense of the master thespians he has had the chance to observe.
Posted Aug 30, 2018
9
B+
Operation Finale (2018)
The electrifying scenes between Kingsley and Isaac are even more riveting than the "can they get him" and "will they be caught" moments of spycraft.
Posted Aug 30, 2018
10
C
The Happytime Murders (2018)
It is vastly less entertaining than the behind-the-scenes credit sequence showing how some of the scenes were filmed.
Posted Aug 23, 2018
11
B
Juliet, Naked (2018)
It's a slight story, but it's a sweet one.
Posted Aug 23, 2018
12
B+
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
A romantic comedy with a knock-out cast that shows us over-the-top glamour, money, privilege, and parties and raises thoughtful, nuanced questions.
Posted Aug 16, 2018
13
A-
BlacKkKlansman (2018)
With Stallworth's remarkable true and timely story and Washington's star-making performance, one of Lee's all-time best, most purely entertaining, and most important films.
Posted Aug 10, 2018
14
B
The Meg (2018)
Tons of first-class stunt work and digital effects, and dialogue disposable enough it won't matter if it translates well.
Posted Aug 10, 2018
15
B+
Far From the Tree (2018)
This movie is not so much about the family differences we have to surmount as it is about the imperishable love that sustains us.
Posted Aug 2, 2018
16
B+
An outstanding performance from Moretz, who allows us to observe her as she observes those around her. Neither she nor we are miseducated by the end.
Posted Aug 2, 2018
17
B+
Christopher Robin (2018)
The joy of reconnecting to your own inner child and to your family is not just the theme of "Christopher Robin." It is the experience of watching it.
Posted Aug 2, 2018
18
B+
It makes fun of itself and then it makes fun of itself for making fun of itself, and then it makes fun of us for watching so many superhero movies.
Posted Jul 26, 2018
19
B+
Puzzle (2018)
Kelly McDonald is exquisite as Agnes.
Posted Jul 26, 2018
20
B+
Blindspotting (2018)
Exceptional performances a gripping story, and a nuanced, sometimes poetic portrayal of issues of race, class, and friendship.
Posted Jul 19, 2018
21
B
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)
Often sounds like it was badly translated from the original Swedish. But it's a cool treat on a hot summer evening, and let's face it - you couldn't escape if you wanted to.
Posted Jul 19, 2018
22
B+
Eighth Grade (2018)
It is so viscerally authentic to the experience of being in middle school that for a moment I felt like I was standing in the lunchroom clutching my tray.
Posted Jul 13, 2018
23
B
It turns out music does have charms to sooth the savage beast after all. And this movie has enough charm to soothe little savages on summer vacation for 90 minutes.
Posted Jul 13, 2018
24
B-
Skyscraper (2018)
Nice visuals, lots of action, and a script as generic as the title.
Posted Jul 13, 2018
25
B+
Sorry to Bother You (2018)
High social satire fueled by a sharp understanding of the politics of our time and the human nature of all times.
Posted Jul 5, 2018
26
B+
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
27
B
Uncle Drew (2018)
Silly fun with a dance-off, some gorgeous moves on the court, and athletes having so much fun it's impossible not to have fun with them.
Posted Jun 28, 2018
28
C
Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018)
Villeneuve has been replaced by Stefano Sollima, Deakins has been replaced by Dariusz Wolski, and subtlety has been replaced by a storyline just above "The Expendables."
Posted Jun 28, 2018
29
B+
Leave No Trace (2018)
A thoughtful meditation on parents and children, on damage and courage, on communities we create, and on what we mean by home.
Posted Jun 28, 2018
30
B
Get ready for #6, "Jurassic World: Electric Blue-galoo."
Posted Jun 21, 2018
31
B+
Tag (2018)
Grown-ups strategizing a game of tag -- including formal legal amendments to the foundational agreement -- gives this movie a joyful bounciness that becomes positively giddy.
Posted Jun 14, 2018
32
A-
Incredibles 2 (2018)
The concept of baby-proofing a house takes on a whole new meaning when it isn't the baby you're trying to protect, but the house.
Posted Jun 14, 2018
33
B+
Hearts Beat Loud (2018)
Haley writes roles that great actors want to play, and he creates a space for them to do their best.
Posted Jun 7, 2018
34
B+
Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
Candid but respectful, utterly heartwarming, and a particularly timely reminder that we don't have to be swept away in bombast and sensory overload.
Posted Jun 7, 2018
35
B+
Ocean's 8 (2018)
A dream cast and a heist of delightful complexity and ingenuity.
Posted Jun 7, 2018
36
B+
Punk in this film is not angry so much as revolutionary, fueled by ideas and optimism. That may seem like an alien idea today, but Mitchell makes it seem right on time.
Posted May 31, 2018
37
C
Adrift (2018)
The back-and-forth flashbacks weaken the intensity of the struggle and a weak script and weaker twist ending make even a story of survival more disappointing than inspiring.
Posted May 31, 2018
38
B+
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
It may not be necessary, but it is most welcome...fits as satisfyingly into the "Star Wars" universe as that last piece in a jigsaw puzzle.
Posted May 22, 2018
39
B+
A film that gives us a rare chance to hear directly from a man whose devotion and compassion will inspire anyone.
Posted May 18, 2018
40
B
Book Club (2018)
The silly premise, Bumble product placement, clunky double entendre, and Viagra humor make us long for the more reliable middle-age female empowerment fluff of Nancy Meyers.
Posted May 17, 2018
41
B+
Deadpool 2 (2018)
The quips and pop culture references come at you "Airplane!"-style, meta times meta, breaking the fourth wall and probably the fifth, sixth, and seventh as well.
Posted May 15, 2018
42
B+
Life of the Party (2018)
Deanna says she is "down to clown," which is supposed to be an eye-rolling mom-ism. But it is McCarthy who is truly down to clown and we are all the better for it.
Posted May 10, 2018
43
B+
Tully (2018)
44
B
Modern Life Is Rubbish (2018)
45
B+
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
At times it feels like the Fellowship of the Infinity Stones.
Posted Apr 24, 2018
46
B+
They (2017)
Writer/director Anahita Ghazvinizadeh gives the film a lyrical, meditative quality.
Posted Apr 24, 2018
47
B+
I Feel Pretty (2018)
Amy Schumer shines in an adorable fantasy that both draws from and slyly subverts the classic Cinderella story.
Posted Apr 20, 2018
48
B
Aardvark (2018)
Three thoughtful performances and a couple of intriguing interactions, but it is ultimately undermined by an underwritten script. The parts are greater than the whole.
Posted Apr 12, 2018
49
B
Rampage (2018)
Johnson is right in his sweet spot here, and so are we, with a popcorn treat to kick off the summer season.
Posted Apr 11, 2018
50
B+
Ready Player One (2018)