Movie Reviews
'Plane' Movie Review
‘Plane,’ the new action-thriller from director Jean-François Richet, is scheduled to crash-land into theaters on January 13th. Gerard Butler stars as commercial pilot Brodie Torrance, who is traveling on New Year's Eve with a plane full of passengers, including FBI transport and accused murderer... Read Full Review
'M3GAN' Movie Review
Convinced that doll you gave your daughter or niece for Christmas is watching you? Then you’ll relate to Allison Williams’ plight in ‘M3GAN,’ the latest horror offering from fear factory Blumhouse Productions, screenwriter Akela Cooper (‘Malignant’) and horror auteur James Wan (here co-writing... Read Full Review
'Women Talking' Movie Review
On limited release now before opening more widely in theaters on January 6th, ‘Women Talking’ represents fourth movie from actor and director Sarah Polley, and while it is certainly her stagiest effort, there are deep, dark and uncomfortable truths running through the script and an outstanding cast... Read Full Review
'Living' Movie Review
Arriving in theaters on December 23rd, ‘Living’ sees Bill Nighy as a man choosing to try and live even in the face of death and is one of the most moving and poignant movies of the year. Though his movies have been adapted many times––‘Seven Samurai’ alone is the basis for a wealth of other... Read Full Review
'A Man Called Otto' Movie Review
Opening for an awards qualification run in theaters on December 25th before releasing wider on January 13th, ‘A Man Called Otto’ finds Tom Hanks in a grumpy mood as a man who just wants to be left alone. The big question that ‘A Man Called Otto’ seeks to answer, at least on one level is: do audiences... Read Full Review
'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish' Movie Review
Debuting in theaters on December 21st, ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ reunites audiences with the dashing, daring feline hero who got his start in the ‘Shrek’ movies to humorous effect. With 12 years between ‘Puss in Boots’ entries, you might be forgiven for thinking that DreamWorks Animation... Read Full Review
'Babylon' Movie Review
Debuting in theaters on December 23rd, ‘Babylon’ is the latest film from Damien Chazelle, the writer-director of ‘Whiplash’ and ‘La La Land’. Unfortunately, it is also his weakest effort, though not for lack of ambition and scale. Starting, perhaps as it means to go on with a desire for shock... Read Full Review
'Avatar: The Way of Water' Movie Review
Arriving in theaters on December 16th, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ represents James Cameron attempting the same high wire trick he pulled with the 2009 original, with the added pressure of 13 years between releases.But as the old maxim in Hollywood goes, it’s best not to bet against Jim Cameron!... Read Full Review
'Empire of Light' Movie Review
Though they were both swirling around their writer/directors’ minds before the pandemic struck, it’s hard not to see Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Fabelmans’ and Sam Mendes’ ‘Empire of Light’ partly as reactions to cinemas being closed during the long months that everyone was locked down. And... Read Full Review
'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' Movie Review
Arriving on Netflix (following a brief theatrical run) on December 9th, Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of ‘Pinocchio’ marks the second major adaptation to arrive this year. And this is, by a long distance, a much more satisfying, very different version than the Disney offering that landed on Disney+... Read Full Review
'Violent Night' Movie Review
Punching into theaters on December 2nd, ‘Violent Night’ represents the sort of Christmas movie that is certainly not festive fun for the whole family. But for those whose tastes run more towards the more brutally entertaining likes of ‘Atomic Blonde’ or ‘Bullet Train’, it’s got some fun... Read Full Review
'Strange World' Movie Review
Journeying to theaters on November 23rd, ‘Strange World’ is the latest animated adventure from Walt Disney Feature Animation. The company has a checkered history with adventure stories. The one-two flop punch of ‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’ and ‘Treasure Planet’ put the company off quests... Read Full Review
'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery' Movie Review
Opening in theaters on November 23rd before premiering on Netflix December 23rd is the sequel to the box office hit ‘Knives Out,’ entitled ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.’ Once again written and directed by Rian Johnson (‘Brick,’ ‘Looper,’ ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’), the sequel... Read Full Review
'The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special' Movie Review
Premiering on Disney+ beginning November 25th and marking the conclusion of the MCU’s Phase Four is Marvel Studios’ second “Special Presentation” following ‘Werewolf by Night’ entitled ‘The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.’ Written and directed by James Gunn, the special bridges... Read Full Review
'She Said' Movie Review
One of the toughest genres of movie to get right is the based-on-truth investigative dig into a big story. It’s not just that reporters hunched over keyboards or waiting for phones to ring can be singularly uncinematic, more that the heaviest hitters in the field – ‘All the President’s Men’,... Read Full Review
'The Menu' Movie Review
The new dark comedy ‘The Menu,’ which was directed by Mark Mylod (‘What’s Your Number?’), opens in theaters on November 18th. Produced by Adam McKay (‘Vice’) and Will Ferrell (‘Spirited’), the film takes an exaggerated look at celebrity chefs and “Foodie culture” and in doing so,... Read Full Review
'Disenchanted' Movie Review
Arriving after other studios – DreamWorks in particular with its ‘Shrek’ movies – had been poking fun at fairy tale tropes, 2007’s ‘Enchanted’ felt like Disney throwing a loving nudge in the ribs to its own storied history of candy-coated Grimm adaptations and fantasy films.A fish-out-of-water... Read Full Review
'Spirited' Movie Review
Music Saves ’Spirited’ from being just another ’Christmas Carol’ adaption. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s music is the real star of the movie, with Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds giving performances similar to their own public personas.The movie is yet another adaption of the Charles Dickens... Read Full Review
'The Fabelmans' Movie Review
Steven Spielberg digs into his past for an emotional new drama. Opening in theaters in limited release on November 11th (ahead of a wider screen count around Thanksgiving), ‘The Fabelmans’ marks Steven Spielberg’s most autobiographical film to date. And it’s a masterclass in digging out emotion... Read Full Review
'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' Movie Review
Honoring Chadwick Boseman’s legacy, the film is a good sequel that introduces exciting new characters to the MCU, but never overcomes the late actors’ absence.The film was put in jeopardy in 2020 when the franchise’s lead actor, Chadwick Boseman tragically died of cancer. Returning director Ryan... Read Full Review
'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story' Movie Review
Accordion icon ‘Weird’ Al Yankovic’s life story is spoofed in parody biopic. Daniel Radcliffe throws himself into the title role of this funny fake biopic, which absolutely leans into its silly concept.Directed by Eric Appel, a veteran of the ‘Funny or Die’ site (and loosely based on short... Read Full Review
'The Banshees of Inisherin' Movie Review
Martin McDonagh's new film brilliantly explores the meaning of friendship and features award-worthy performances from Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. Set in the small Irish town of Inisherin during the Irish Civil War, Pádraic Súilleabháin (Colin Farrell) discovers one day to his surprise that... Read Full Review
'Black Adam' Movie Review
‘Black Adam’ perfectly adapts the character and reinvigorates the DCEU. One of DC Comics best movies ever, 'Black Adam' is action-packed fun from beginning to end led by a commanding performance from Dwayne Johnson.DC Comics attempt at replicating the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with... Read Full Review
'Ticket to Paradise' Movie Review
‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’s Ol Parker co-writes and directs an old-school comedy that fully embraces the usual cliches to mostly winning effect. Opening in theaters on October 21st, ‘Ticket to Paradise’ aims to make up for several years without a star-focused romantic comedy. And it has two... Read Full Review
'Rosaline' Movie Review
Kaitlyn Dever leads an appealing cast in this spirited, witty romantic comedy that focuses on the other woman in Romeo’s life. Suddenly, all of Romeo’s time, affection, and perhaps most cuttingly, cringey love poetry is being directed towards the new love of his life, Rosaline seemingly now a passing... Read Full Review
'Till' Movie Review
‘Till’ tells an important story with a career-making lead but also suffers from trope use. Danielle Deadwyler is astonishing as the mother of a murdered son in this powerful true-life tale that sometimes loses its own way.Out now in theaters, ‘Till’ has a powerful, shocking and important story... Read Full Review
'Halloween Ends' Movie Review
David Gordon Green plays around with the mythology again in ‘Halloween Ends’. Looking to wrap up his ‘Halloween’ trilogy, David Gordon Green can’t quite stick the landing, even as he attempts to breathe new life into the franchise.Opening in theaters and streaming on Peacock beginning October... Read Full Review
'Amsterdam' Movie Review
David O. Russell’s ‘Amsterdam’ is a star-studded mess. An ungainly attempt to blend big names, comedy and an anti-fascism message never quite comes together for the ‘American Hustle’ director.Opening in theaters on October 7th, ‘Amsterdam’ reveals David O. Russell’s talent for attracting... Read Full Review
'Werewolf by Night' Movie Review
‘Werewolf by Night’ introduces MCU audiences to Marvel’s Monster Universe. Accomplished composer and first-time director Michael Giacchino delivers thrills and old school scares in Marvel Studios’ first “Special Presentation."Premiering on Disney+ beginning October 7th is the new hour-long... Read Full Review
'Bros' Movie Review
The rom-com gets an LGBTQ+ tweak for ‘Bros’. Billy Eichner co-writes and stars in this smart, funny and heartfelt comedy that charts its own course through romantic complications.Opening in theaters on September 30th, ‘Bros’ represents the latest release from the Judd Apatow comedy factory. Which... Read Full Review
'Smile' Movie Review
Trauma and terror are spreading in new horror movie ‘Smile’. Sosie Bacon plays a therapist who, after a scary encounter with a patient, starts seeing creepy visions. Can she solve the mystery before she’s the next victim?Opening in theaters on September 30th, ‘Smile’ is the latest attempt... Read Full Review
'Hocus Pocus 2' Movie Review
The Sanderson Sisters are Back In Belated Comedy Sequel ‘Hocus Pocus 2’. Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker reprise their iconic witchy roles for the fun follow-up to the 1993 movie.Releasing on Disney+ September 30th, ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ is aiming to work on several fronts: as a... Read Full Review
'Don't Worry Darling' Movie Review
Florence Pugh’s feeling paranoid in Olivia Wilde’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling’. Wilde follows up the jokey, warm ‘Booksmart’ with this psychological thriller, which features a stand-out performance from Pugh.Releasing in theaters this week, Olivia Wilde’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ has been... Read Full Review
'Clerks III' Movie Review
‘Clerks III’ finds Kevin Smith And Co. back behind the counter. A more reflective, somber Smith returns to his filmmaking routes – but he still finds time for pop culture gags and rude humor.Much as he did with his last visit to the world kicked off with ‘Clerks’ in 1994 – that would be 2019’s... Read Full Review
'Confess, Fletch' Movie Review
'Confess, Fletch' is an enjoyable and faithful adaptation. Jon Hamm perfectly embodies the title character in this adaption of Gregory Mcdonald's mystery novels, which is more faithful than the Chevy Chase moviesThe new movie, which opens in theaters, on digital, and on demand beginning September 16th,... Read Full Review
'The Woman King' Movie Review
‘The Woman King’ sees Viola Davis as a historical warrior. Davis commands the screen (in more ways than one) for Gina Prince Bythewood’s stirring epic of battle and bonding.Gina Prince Bythewood, who last directed 'The Old Guard' (a more fantastical tale of an immortal female warrior leading her... Read Full Review
'Pinocchio' Movie Review
‘Pinocchio’ fails to capture the magic of the animated movie. Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks reunite for a live action/CG take on the puppet story, but there are plenty of strings on it. Premiering on Disney+ on September 8th, Disney+ Day, the studio’s new version of ‘Pinocchio’ continues its... Read Full Review
'Samaritan' Movie Review
‘Samaritan’ delivers a surprisingly compelling original superhero movie. Anchored by Sylvester Stallone’s strong yet vulnerable performance, director Julius Avery crafts a realistic and relatable modern-day superhero film. ‘Overlord’ director Julius Avery’s new original superhero movie ‘Samaritan,’... Read Full Review
'Fall' Movie Review
Fall is an Edge-of-Your-Seat thriller filled with gravity. Grace Caroline Currey and Virginia Gardner star as thrill-seeking climbers who become trapped in this taught new movie.The movie kicks off with a throwback to Sylvester Stallone classic ‘Cliffhanger’, in which Becky (Grace Caroline Currey),... Read Full Review
'Secret Headquarters' Movie Review
‘Secret Headquarters’ borrows too much from other superhero movies. A combination of ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Home Alone,’ the new Paramount+ superhero movie has some fun action but fails to create anything original.The movie begins in the past, with Jack (Wilson), his wife (Jessie Mueller), and young... Read Full Review
'Prey' Movie Review
‘Prey’ is the perfect ‘Predator’ prequel. Director Dan Trachtenberg delivers a brilliant movie that recaptures the magic of the original and features a career-making performance from Amber Midthunder.Premiering on Hulu August 5th is the latest movie in the ‘Predator’ franchise called ‘Prey,’... Read Full Review
'Bullet Train' Movie Review
‘Bullet Train’ is a high-octane action comedy that sometimes hits its mark. Brad Pitt stars as an unlucky assassin on a train filled with killers and criminals that emphasizes fighting style over substance.‘Bullet Train’, which opens in theaters today, looks to add some violent fun to a summer... Read Full Review
'DC League of Super-Pets' Movie Review
‘DC League of Super-Pets’ is a funny and heart-warming animated movie. With strong performances from Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, the movie is filled with DC Easter eggs and a message about the love between people and their pets.When a group of animals receive super powers, Lex Luthor’s (Marc... Read Full Review
'The Gray Man' Movie Review
‘The Gray Man’ pits Ryan Gosling against Chris Evans in a slick spy thriller. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo return to action blockbuster filmmaking for the first time since their triumphant ‘Avengers’ movies. But does their new spy pic deliver?Following a detour into character drama with ‘Cherry’... Read Full Review
'Nope' Movie Review
Director Jordan Peele delivers another unexpected classic that reinvigorates the genre with excellent performances from Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer.The film begins with an odd side-story about a 90’s sitcom starring a chimpanzee, who during a taping killed most of the cast and crew. We then meet... Read Full Review
'Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank' Movie Review
'Paws of Fury' is an animated remake of 'Blazing Saddles,' without the laughs. Even with Mel Brooks involved, the movie fails to translate the classic comedy into a kids film but does feature a funny performance from Ricky Gervais.The movie stars Michael Cera (‘Superbad’) as Hank, a troubled dog... Read Full Review
'Thor: Love and Thunder' Movie Review
Natalie Portman, Chris Hemsworth, and Christian Bale shine in 'Thor: Love and Thunder,' which is a strong MCU sequel but not quite as entertaining as 'Ragnarok.' Director Taika Waititi goes to the well one too many times with similar jokes and set pieces as the last 'Thor' movie but still delivers a... Read Full Review
'Minions: The Rise of Gru' Movie Review
'Minions: The Rise of Gru' is a formulaic brand extension that will nonetheless please younger hardcore 'Despicable Me' fans. The little yellow creatures are back, though the film gives equal weight to the younger days of Steve Carell's wannabe supervillain.Aside from the language stew chattering of... Read Full Review
'The Black Phone' Movie Review
'The Black Phone' is a touching coming-of-age story masquerading as a horror film. Director Scott Derrickson crafts a winning supernatural movie that is focused more on the characters and less on the horror.Opening in theaters on June 24th is the new supernatural horror film 'The Black Phone,' from producer... Read Full Review
'Elvis' Movie Review
Austin Butler gives a mesmerizing performance worthy of “The King” in 'Elvis'. Director Baz Luhrmann delivers a brilliant and captivating musical biopic, anchored by Butler's transformative and career-making work.Opening in theaters on June 24th is 'Elvis,' the new musical biopic about the life and... Read Full Review
'Lightyear' Movie Review
Chris Evans gives a strong voice performance as the title character, channeling his best Tim Allen, but is upstaged by the breakout star, Sox the Cat!The film begins by introducing us to Buzz Lightyear (Evans), a Space Ranger exploring a new planet with his commanding officer Alisha Hawthorne (Aduba).... Read Full Review
'Jurassic World Dominion' Movie Review
Jurassic World Dominion should mark the extinction of the popular dinosaur franchise. Even combining the casts of Jurassic Park and Jurassic World is not enough to save this prehistoric franchise from going extinct.Opening in theaters on June 10th is the third chapter of the 'Jurassic World' trilogy... Read Full Review
'Crimes of the Future' Movie Review
A combination of 'eXistenZ and 'Crash,' Cronenberg's latest film has fascinating characters and an interesting story but gets buried by its own deliberate weirdness.Opening in theaters on June 3rd is the new film from legendary director David Cronenberg ('The Fly') entitled 'Crimes of the Future.' The... Read Full Review
'The Bob's Burgers Movie' Movie Review
Opening in theaters on May 27th is the big screen adaption of the popular animated series 'Bob's Burgers,' entitled 'The Bob's Burgers Movie.' Directed by Loren Bouchard and Bernard Derriman, the movie features the voices of H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, Larry Murphy, John Roberts, Kristen... Read Full Review
'Top Gun: Maverick' Movie Review
Director Joseph Kosinski delivers some of the best flying sequences ever filmed, which are anchored by Tom Cruise's commanding performance. Opening in theaters on May 27th is the long-awaited sequel to the groundbreaking 1986 Tony Scott film 'Top Gun,' aptly titled 'Top Gun: Maverick.' The movie picks... Read Full Review
'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' Movie Review
'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' is superhero horror at its best! Director Sam Raimi delivers a scary superhero movie that has fun exploring Marvel's multiverse. The movie begins with Dr. Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) having a dream of helping a mysterious young girl escape from a demon.... Read Full Review
'The Northman' Movie Review
'The Northman' is brilliant, beautiful and bloody filmmaking at its best! An epic and ultra-realistic Viking movie that pulls influence from 'Braveheart,' 'Spartacus,' 'Conan the Barbarian,' and even William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet,' and features a career-defining performance from Alexander Skarsgård.The... Read Full Review
'The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent' Movie Review
Nicolas Cage is one of those actors who has built a mythology around himself - or in some cases, had one thrust upon them. His career is marked by huge highs: he won an Oscar for 'Leaving Las Vegas' and has received acclaim for many of his dramatic and comedic performances. He also managed to carve out... Read Full Review
'Father Stu' Movie Review
Mark Wahlberg gives a strong performance in touching faith-based film 'Father Stu'. In addition to Wahlberg, the cast also includes Jacki Weaver, Mel Gibson, Malcolm McDowell, and Teresa Ruiz. The result is a surprisingly well-made and touching faith-based film, that never forces the faith on you, and... Read Full Review
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore' Movie Review
Once again directed by David Yates, the movie follows Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) and his friends as they aid Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) in stopping his former lover, Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) from taking over both the Wizarding World and the world of Muggles. The result is an entertaining... Read Full Review
'Ambulance' Movie Review
Opening in theaters on April 8th is the new action thriller 'Ambulance' from 'Transformers' and 'Armageddon' director Michael Bay. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal ('Spider-Man: Far From Home') and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II ('Aquaman') as bank robbers who hijack an ambulance and take an EMT (Eliza Gonzalez)... Read Full Review
'Morbius' Movie Review
Opening in theaters on April 1st is the new superhero movie 'Morbius,' which is based on the classic vampire character from Marvel Comics. It's the third film in Sony's Spider-Man Universe following 'Venom,' and 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage.' Directed by Daniel Espinosa ('Safe House'), the movie stars... Read Full Review
'Deep Water' Movie Review
Premiering on Hulu beginning March 18th is 'Fatal Attraction' director Adrian Lyne's first new film in twenty years, the erotic thriller 'Deep Water.' The movie stars Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas as a married couple whose infidelities lead to several murders.The result is a strange and uneven movie that... Read Full Review
'Umma' Movie Review
A well-made supernatural thriller masquerading as horror film with strong performances from its lead actresses but gets lost in its own exposition towards the movie's climax.Amanda (Oh) lives off-the-grid on a rural farm with her daughter Chris (Stewart), where they work as bee keepers. Amanda is “allergic”... Read Full Review
'Turning Red' Movie Review
Films using fantastical transformations to tell stories about awkward life and biological changes are not a new phenomenon. Famous examples have included 1985's 'Teen Wolf', in which Michael J. Fox always wanted to be special, but never expected to start sprouting hair in even more unusual places than... Read Full Review
'The Adam Project' Movie Review
Premiering on Netflix beginning March 11th is the new time-traveling movie 'The Adam Project,' from 'Free Guy' director Shawn Levy. The film stars 'Free Guy' and 'Deadpool' actor Ryan Reynolds as a time-traveling pilot from the future who travels to the past and teams-up with the 12-year-old version... Read Full Review
'The Batman' Movie Review
A dark and brutal version of the character that perfectly captures many important elements of the mythos that have been missing from previous cinematic outings, but also fails to inject any of the humor and fun usually associated with popcorn superhero movies.The film begins on Halloween, as Gotham Mayor... Read Full Review
'Studio 666' Movie Review
Opening in theaters on February 13th is the new horror comedy from the rock band the Foo Fighters called 'Studio 666.' The movie follows the band as they move into a haunted house to record their new album, and stars frontman Dave Grohl, drummer Taylor Hawkins, guitarist Pat Smear, guitarist Chris Shiflett,... Read Full Review
'Uncharted' Movie Review
Let's start with what is good about the movie. The film begins with an incredible action sequence featuring Holland falling out of a plane, which is actually just a preview of the full sequence that actually takes place in the third act. The filmmakers were wise to start the movie with part of that action... Read Full Review
'Death on the Nile' Movie Review
Opening in theaters on February 11th is 'Death on the Nile,' which is a sequel to 2017's 'Murder on the Orient Express.' Based on Agatha Christie's classic novel, the movie is once again directed by Kenneth Branagh, and also stars Branagh as the world-famous detective, Hercule Poirot.The supporting cast... Read Full Review
'The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild' Movie Review
Simon Pegg returns as the voice of breakout character Buck Wild in this sequel that is closer in DNA to a Marvel movie than the 'Ice Age' franchise but should still please young fans of the series.Premiering on Disney+ beginning January 28th is the sixth movie in the extremely popular 'Ice Age' franchise... Read Full Review
'Cyrano' Movie Review
Director Joe Wright delivers a fun and romantic movie based on the 2018 stage musical with unforgettable songs from Aaron and Bryce Dessner. After a one-week run in Los Angeles beginning December 17th, the new musical comedy 'Cyrano,' which is based on the 2018 stage musical of the same name, will open... Read Full Review
'Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City' Movie Review
'Welcome to Raccoon City' is a serviceable zombie movie, but fans of the Resident Evil franchise will be disappointed. Let me start this by saying I am a huge fan of the Resident Evil game franchise. Like, nearly a decade of my life has been spent enjoying and digging through this series. I have sat... Read Full Review
'Spider-Man: No Way Home' Movie Review
The most anticipated film of the year is a cinematic extravaganza that not only acts as a brilliant end to Tom Holland’s MCU Spider-Man trilogy, but also pays homage to everything that has come before. The wait is finally over as the most anticipated film of 2021, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ is... Read Full Review
'The Tragedy of Macbeth' Movie Review
Acclaimed filmmaker Joel Coen’s solo directorial debut is a brilliant adaption of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, with stunning cinematography and Oscar-worthy performances from its two leads. Opening in theaters on December 25th is the latest adaption of William Shakespeare’s classic stage play... Read Full Review
'Kingsman: The Golden Circle' Movie Review
A prequel to ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ and ‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle,’ the movie sets up a fun origin story but ultimately doesn’t recapture the magic of the franchise. Opening in theaters on December 22nd is director Matthew Vaughn’s ‘The King’s Man,’ which is a prequel to... Read Full Review
'Don't Look Up' Movie Review
Meryl Streep plays a female version of President Trump in an ‘Armageddon’ style-plot that mirrors the divisions in America created by the pandemic. Currently in theaters before streaming on Netflix on December 24th is the new comedy from director Adam McKay (‘The Big Short,’ ‘Vice’) called... Read Full Review
'Being the Ricardos' Movie Review
Aaron Sorkin’s third directorial effort is truly his best, with remarkable Oscar-worthy performances from previous Academy Award winners Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, and J.K. Simmons. Currently, in theaters, before streaming on Amazon Prime December 21st, is the biopic ‘Being the Ricardos,’ which... Read Full Review
'West Side Story' Movie Review
Opening in theaters on December 10th is the new musical remake ‘West Side Story,’ which is based on the Broadway play and the original 1961 film of the same name. Directed by Oscar winner Steven Spielberg (‘Schindler’s List) and written by Oscar winner Tony Kushner (‘Lincoln’), the film tells... Read Full Review
'Nightmare Alley' Movie Review
Opening in theaters on December 17th is the new neo-noir thriller from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro entitled ‘Nightmare Alley,’ which is based on the novel of the same name by William Lindsay Gresham. The film stars Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper (‘A Star is Born’) as a 1940s... Read Full Review
'C'mon C'mon' Movie Review
Currently playing in theaters is the new comedy-drama ‘C’mon C’mon’ from writer and director Mike Mills (‘Beginners’). Shot in black-and-white, the film stars Academy Award winner Joaquin Phoenix (‘Joker’) as a documentary journalist who agrees to take care of his estranged sister’s... Read Full Review
'House of Gucci' Movie Review
Opening in theaters on November 24th is Oscar winning director Ridley Scott’s latest film, ‘House of Gucci,’ which chronicles the rise and fall of the Gucci family and the empire they created and lost. The movie features an incredible cast all delivering their best, including Lady Gaga (‘A Star... Read Full Review
'Licorice Pizza' Movie Review
Opening in theaters on November 26th is acclaimed filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson’s ninth feature film, ‘Licorice Pizza.’ The movie fallows the story of a teenage actor growing up in the San Fernando Valley in the early 1970s, who falls in love with a twenty-five-year-old woman while working together... Read Full Review
'King Richard' Movie Review
The performance is a breakthrough for Smith, playing a well-intended but flawed character, and he does it with all the charm and charisma we expect from the "Artist formerly known as the Fresh Prince." Read Full Review
'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Movie Review
As the fourth installment of the franchise, it should win back hardcore fans who have become disinterested in the series, but it is basically beat-for-beat the same movie as the original. Read Full Review
'Belfast' Movie Review
Drawing on inspiration from his own life, writer and director Kenneth Branagh has truly made his greatest movie yet, which is a beautiful and touching film about growing up, contrasted with the backdrop of the looming Northern Ireland Conflict.Opening in theaters on November 12th is 'Belfast', the new... Read Full Review
'Eternals' Movie Review
Drowning in too many characters, convoluted plotting and disappointingly bad visuals, Chloé Zhao’s ‘Eternals,’ based on comic book characters created by Jack Kirby in 1976, follows a group of immortal aliens who have spent the last seven thousand years protecting the humans of Earth from evil,... Read Full Review
'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' Movie Review
Early on in 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' alien symbiote Venom (Tom Hardy) laments to his partner Eddie Brock (also Hardy), "I'm sorry I can't mend a broken heart. Emotional pain lasts longer," cementing its commitment to building on the queer themes from 2018’s ‘Venom’.In the previous film, directed... Read Full Review
'The Suicide Squad' Movie Review
‘The Suicide Squad’ begins with our introduction to Savant (Michael Rooker), a criminal behind bars, with a talent for geometry and a mean streak when it comes to birds. He’s given the set-up for the story; he’s going to go on a black ops-type mission with a team of fellow convicts, and in return,... Read Full Review
'Black Widow' Movie Review
It's a shame we didn't get this 'Black Widow' movie a few years ago, because it's hard to imagine that Marvel Studios wouldn't have found a different path for Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanov in 'Avengers: Endgame.' This is a satisfying spy movie set in the larger MCU, and although the baton is definitely... Read Full Review
'F9' Movie Review
It's hard to look at the 20-year-old 'The Fast & the Furious' and see the beginnings of a blockbuster franchise, but here we are. And if the series has moved past illegal street races and into heist and spy movie territory, that’s all for the better. As this rogue's gallery of street racers has become... Read Full Review
'Port Authority' Movie Review
Port Authority opens with Paul (Fionn Whitehead) with a suitcase, walking through the titular New York bus terminal, calling someone that doesn’t pick up the phone. No one walking through the station has seen the woman pictured on the phone, either. Paul’s on his own.Paul briefly steps outside the... Read Full Review
'Taken 3' Movie Review
When "Taken" was first released, nobody thought that it would lead to anything, much less an insanely lucrative franchise. It was a modestly budgeted thriller ($25 million) that was first released overseas, in France, where its core creative team was from and where the film was mostly set. It starred... Read Full Review
'Blackhat' Movie Review
Movies about computers or computer hackers have never been particularly exciting, at least on the big screen. Maybe that's because the act of typing something on a keyboard while little words or hieroglyphics of code appear on the screen in front of you isn't the most cinematic conceit. There's not a... Read Full Review
'Mortdecai' Movie Review
The ad campaign for "Mortdecai," the new Johnny Depp comic caper film, is so befuddling, both opaque and overbearing, that a recent Vulture article spent several hundred words trying to decode what, exactly, the movie was and why the powers that be behind said movie were content with selling the project... Read Full Review
'Jupiter Ascending' Movie Review
Sometimes a movie can be doomed before it even opens.This happens when a film is discussed openly without anyone having firsthand knowledge of (or even having seen) it, and it becomes something of a self-fulfilling prophecy when said movie come out and underperforms, thanks in large part to countless... Read Full Review
'Focus' Movie Review
"Wait, what is Focus again?" This is a question that is usually fired back at me, over the past few weeks, when people ask me what I've seen recently and really liked.Lately, when I run down the movies I've seen recently, "Focus" is always one of those movies I mention, because I really, really liked... Read Full Review
'Avengers: Age of Ultron' Movie Review
Joss Whedon returns to write and direct another massive Marvel spectacle with "Avengers: Age of Ultron," the sequel to "The Avengers," the third highest-grossing Marvel movie of all time. Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Dr. Bruce Banner (aka The Hulk), Black Widow, and Hawkeye are back together again... Read Full Review
'The Gift' Movie Review
SPOILERS AHEAD! Don't read this unless you want the twist revealed."The Gift," a mystery-thriller released August 7, stars Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, and Joel Edgerton, who also steps in as first-time director. No blood and guts in this flick, one of the many positives about the movie, which kept me... Read Full Review
'The Perfect Guy' Movie Review
"The Perfect Guy" is the end-of-summer, edge-of-your-seat thriller that had grown men in the theater screaming and cowering in their seats. Starring Sanaa Lathan, Michael Ealy, and Morris Chesnut, the all-star cast didn't save the "drama for yo mama" -- they brought it to the screen!We've all heard stories... Read Full Review
'The Martian' Movie Review
Last Friday night, local movie theaters were packed in anticipation for the space-thriller showing of Matt Damon's new film, "The Martian." The buzz was ridiculous. Regardless of the hype, I was planning on seeing the film. Who would I be kidding if I didn't see such a star-studded film that included... Read Full Review
'99 Homes' Movie Review
"99 Homes," starring Andrew Garfield, Michael Shannon, and Laura Dern, is one thriller of a movie.Based on true events about the home foreclosure crisis, this movie will have your blood boiling and you gripping the arm rest in anger knowing people really were losing their homes left and right -- and... Read Full Review
'Venom' Movie Review
If, for some reason, you miss the superhero adaptations of the 1990s and early 2000s, “Venom” might be right for you.It feels like a movie that is largely unaware of the progress that has been made to tell stories that are both authentic to their source material and sophisticated enough for audiences... Read Full Review
'Halloween' Movie Review
Nostalgia, a friend once told me, is paralysis. But moviegoers live in the era of the “legacyquel,” when filmmakers pay tribute to the franchises that inspired them by revisiting (and in some cases resurrecting) the core elements that drove their success.After eight convoluted (and contradictory)... Read Full Review
'First Man' Movie Review
There have been many movies about the space race, from “The Right Stuff” to “Apollo 13,” but none have felt as visceral, and intimate, as “First Man.”Director Damien Chazelle puts audiences inside each capsule, and eventually (spoiler alert) on the face of the moon like no one has done before,... Read Full Review
'mid90s' Movie Review
A film so committed to accurately portraying the lifestyle and community that it depicts that you wouldn’t be surprised if the crew wore Airwalks and skinned their knees in solidarity with the cast, “Mid90s” oozes not just with period accuracy, but authenticity.Jonah Hill wrote and directed this... Read Full Review
'Boy Erased' Movie Review
“Quietly exasperating” is the only note I took during “Boy Erased,” but it encapsulates much about what makes Joel Edgerton’s latest film such a unique and unexpected emotional journey.Extraordinary, nuanced performances from Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Edgerton, and especially Lucas Hedges... Read Full Review
'Widows' Movie Review
Heist movies are often compelling because of their mechanics -- the thrill (and spectacle) of watching crooks dismantle a system, outsmart the law and escape with their lives, and bounty, intact. Steve McQueen’s “Widows” offers a lot of superficial window dressing to make his heist unique -- the... Read Full Review
'Ralph Breaks the Internet' Movie Review
The long-awaited sequel to “Wreck-It Ralph” is titled “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” but it’s probably more accurate to say that the internet breaks him.After years of gameplay in the 8-bit world of “Fix-It Felix Jr.,” the character’s first foray into the weird, wild world of the Web is... Read Full Review
'Creed II' Movie Review
After six “Rocky” films, “Creed” was a remarkable triumph -- what seemed superfluous at best became essential.The first "Creed" movie is not just a great entertainment, but it is also a catharsis for one character and a vivid introduction for another. Consequently, “Creed II” only needed... Read Full Review
'Green Book' Movie Review
Every time I see a movie like “Green Book,” I wonder how many more stories about overcoming racism Hollywood needs to tell. And then I glance at the news and realize it’s apparently a lesson that audiences keep needing to learn.Directed by Peter Farrelly -- one half of the gentlemen responsible... Read Full Review
'Roma' Movie Review
As a director, writer, producer -- and sometimes documentarian -- Alfonso Cuarón seems like he's been a fixture of the cinema for years. Indeed, it's surprising to realize he's only directed eight films since his 1991 debut, "Solo con Tu Pareja." This is possibly because his last three --"Harry Potter... Read Full Review
'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' Movie Review
"Into the Spider-Verse" is unlike any "Spider-Man" movie or almost any superhero movie you've ever seen.Rendered like a four-color comic book and featuring spectacle that unfolds like the most abstract and boldest splash pages you've ever seen, and produced by "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" and... Read Full Review
'If Beale Street Could Talk' Movie Review
"If Beale Street Could Talk" is, profoundly, what happens when people of color get the opportunity to be authors of their own stories, fiction or fact, from the page to the screen.Barry Jenkins, director of the Oscar-winning "Moonlight" returns with an adaptation of James Baldwin's eponymous novel about... Read Full Review
'Bumblebee' Movie Review
The posters and promotional materials for "Bumblebee" all feature the computer-generated title character more prominently than any of the film's human actors, which is an important reminder how much of a cultural fixture Transformers has become. But Travis Knight's spin-off/ prequel to the five Michael... Read Full Review
'Aquaman' Movie Review
For all those superhero fans who miss Chris Hemsworth's earliest iteration of Thor, DC has delivered unto them "Aquaman," the story of a hard-drinking, roguish hero unprepared and reluctant to assume the mantle of leadership bestowed upon him by birthright.James Wan, inheriting the character after his... Read Full Review
'Mary Poppins Returns' Movie Review
If "Saving Mr. Banks" changed the way that you look at "Mary Poppins," not only chronicling the contentious process of adapting P. L. Travers character for the screen, but exposing the deep-rooted motivations why she wrote them in the first place, "Mary Poppins Returns" wants to change it back.Rob Marshall,... Read Full Review
'The Mule' Movie Review
A lot of aging actors try to persist with or recapture their youth, but Clint Eastwood isn't one of them.The actor-director's "Unforgiven" reflected on and eulogized a bygone way of life, era and genre 26 years ago, and his films since then have increasingly embraced both his own advancing years and... Read Full Review
'Glass' Movie Review
There is a good film to be made about superheroes existing in the "real" world, and the phenomenon, or perhaps disorder, where ordinary people believe they possess extraordinary abilities. "Glass" is not that film, despite how seriously writer-director M. Night Shyamalan takes both of those ideas, and... Read Full Review
'The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part' Movie Review
Five years ago, the notion of a movie about Legos seemed ridiculous, but after $500 million in box office receipts and two successful spin-offs, "The Lego Movie 2" is a highly- and understandably-anticipated event sequel. Phil Lord and Chris Miller, returning as co-screenwriters and producers, hand the... Read Full Review
'Alita: Battle Angel' Movie Review
"Alita: Battle Angel" first went into development by James Cameron in 2000, and Robert Rodriguez signed on to direct his script in 2016, but the themes of their adaptation of Yukito Kishiro's 1990 manga of the same name could not feel timelier. A story of the redeeming power of compassion and positivity,... Read Full Review
'What Men Want' Movie Review
In 2000's "What Women Want" it might have been snarkily revolutionary, if way late even then, to suggest that members of the so-called "fairer sex" are complex, fierce and formidable. But 20 years and a gender-swapped premise later, "What Men Want" advances a depressing argument that guys are with few... Read Full Review
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