The majority of today’s big blockbusters lean on gratuitous levels of digital effects and apocalyptic levels of conflict in which the world—nay, the universe—hangs in the balance. The heroes are impervious, the villains all-powerful and the action so detached from reality (and physics) that we leave the theater jaded. Meanwhile, the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, now […]
Archives
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Review
It’s incredible to think that “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” was broadcast to family television sets for three decades. Multiple generations of children were charmed by Fred Rogers’ leisurely musical demeanor, abounding love and positivity and belief in the power of make-believe. “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” celebrates Rogers’ life, career and moral framework in an extremely […]
The Disaster Artist Review
A feature film about the making of a cult movie (in this case, a horrible movie) has a unique challenge: How do you honor the movie’s cult status, while also being honest about it? “The Disaster Artist” tries to straddle being a comedic homage to the making of “The Room,” one of the most infamous […]
Deadpool 2 Review
Hilarious movies don’t often lead to hilarious sequels, but the R-rated, tongue-in-cheek fourth-wall-breaking approach “Deadpool” brought to the superhero genre in 2016 seemed like the kind that could have legs – and indeed it does. (That will be funny once you’ve seen “Deadpool 2.”)
Solo Review
Just how far is the “galaxy far, far away” expanding? “Solo,” the second “A Star Wars Story” after 2016’s “Rogue One” gives us more of a hint as to how Lucasfilm and Disney view this beloved franchise beyond its main stories, and so far, their intent appears to be to keep things on course, or […]
Coco Review
Known for imagination and creativity, Pixar has transported audiences of all ages to astonishing cinematic worlds with nearly every film on its resume. “Coco,” inspired by Mexican culture and the aesthetic of Dia de Muertos – the “Day of the Dead” holiday – is another gem in its crown, a six-year passion project stunningly realized, […]
Battle of the Sexes Review
The battle for equal rights for women is far from over well into the 20th century, but it’s hard to imagine anything happening today that would make a spectacle of it like the Battle of the Sexes did.
Wonder Review
Although I haven’t read R.J. Palacio’s best-selling book, it’s pretty easy to see why “Wonder” has caught on with kids and adults alike. Its message is clear and simple, conveyed in a way kids can understand with some of the nuance that will resonate with adults. The film follows suit in the hands of someone […]
You Were Never Really Here Review
In “You Were Never Really Here,” writer and director Lynn Ramsay takes what might have been a more conventional revenge thriller or lone wolf battling his inner demons story and gives it a more harrowing, artistic edge. Think “Taken” but for the serious arthouse crowd.
Professor Marston and the Wonder Women Review
In a time of strong female images and an ever-growing, ever-graying definition of feminism, a film like “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women” feels especially important. Both the origin story of comics’ biggest female superhero and a portrayal of a norm-shattering romantic relationship decades ahead of its time, Angela Robinson’s film is robust and maybe […]
Summer Movie Preview 2018
“Avengers: Infinity War” surprised us with an early release to get the summer season going. Normally, I’d be pretty stoked after that, but I have to admit that I’m not all that excited for this summer movie slate, but nevertheless I’ve gotten rid of the section of these seasonal previews that talks about movies I’m […]
Avengers: Infinity War Review
It’s all been leading to this, right? Since Thanos’ purply mug first smirked at the camera during the end credits of 2012’s “The Avengers,” fans of Marvel Studios’ unprecedented 10-year, 20-plus film run on the box office have been waiting for the ultimate battle between Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and the infamous Mad Titan, who in […]
A Quiet Place Review
A winning concept can completely carry a genre film, and “A Quiet Place” has exactly that. Bryan Woods and Scott Beck’s idea of a family that must live in total silence in order to survive a monster/alien threat is the rare seed for a story that can blossom into an enthralling moviegoing experience. John Krasinski, […]
Isle of Dogs Review
The union of Wes Anderson and stop-motion animation continues to be an ideal match. In 2009’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” Anderson showed what he could create using a medium that gives its author total control over every detail and every tiny movement; it amplified his comedy and creativity. This proves true once more in “Isle of […]
Ready Player One Review
Among other things, Steven Spielberg is known for transporting audiences into brave new worlds, and in “Ready Player One,” based on the novel by Ernest Cline, that world is the massive virtual simulation of the OASIS, where humans in a broken world plug in and become anything they want to be. A master at stoking […]
