Movie Reviews
'Speak No Evil' Movie Review
‘Speak No Evil’ re-invents the danish manners horror as a more straightforward thriller. James McAvoy, Scoot McNairy, Mackenzie Davis and Aisling Franciosi star in the story of vacation friends whose encounter back home turns very dark.Opening in theaters on September 13th, ‘Speak No Evil’ takes...
'Rebel Ridge' Movie Review
‘Rebel Ridge’ sees Jeremy Saulnier tackle the one-man army movie with style. Aaron Pierre shines and Don Johnson is also great as a corrupt lawman in this battle of wills –– and guns, which marks a thematic shift for the director.On Netflix on September 6th, ‘Rebel Ridge’ is the latest thriller...
'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' Movie Review
‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’ is as nostalgic as it is surprising and fun. Director Tim Burton’s one part sequel, one part origin story is undoubtedly a Beetlejuice and Burton fans dream come to life on the big screen.‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’, the long-waited sequel to 1988's 'Beetlejuice',...
'Greedy People' Movie Review
‘Greedy People’ Boasts a Wild Joseph Gordon-Levitt But Little Else Hits its Target. The new dark comedy thriller aims for Coen-level crime in a small town, but tonal issues and a less-than-stellar script let Potsy Ponciroli’s new movie down.Opening in theaters on August 23rd, ‘Greedy People’...
'Jackpot!' Movie Review
‘Jackpot!’ Sees Awkwafina and John Cena on the Run in a Satirical Action Comedy. Paul Feig’s latest movie blends laughs with stunts to fairly entertaining effect, anchored by solid work from its game stars. It’s still not quite a winner.On Prime Video on August 15th, ‘Jackpot!’ finds Paul...
'Blink Twice' Movie Review
‘Blink Twice’ mixes satire and horror in an uneven but satisfying ride. ‘Blink Twice’ marks a promising directorial debut for Zoë Kravitz that packs a punch, even if she has some trouble navigating genres effectively.‘Blink Twice’ starts off as a satire, not to mention a riff on the kind...
'The Crow' Movie Review
Leaden direction stops soulless ‘The Crow’ remake from ever taking off. An aimless rehash of the 1994 cult classic that was marked by a tragic real-life death, ‘The Crow’ can’t find its own identity and settles for mediocrity.Here’s a little secret: this writer has never been a huge fan of...
'Alien: Romulus' Movie Review
‘Alien: Romulus’ plays the hits, both for better and for worse. It’s entertaining and well-done, with one standout performance especially, but ‘Alien: Romulus’ leans hard on nostalgia to the point of distraction.The ‘Alien’ franchise has gotten especially convoluted in the 21st century,...
'Cuckoo' Movie Review
The creepy, truly weird ‘Cuckoo’ dets under your skin. The unsettling ‘Cuckoo’ keeps you off-balance with great performances from Hunter Schafer and Dan Stevens – even if you’re not sure what’s going on.German filmmaker Tilman Singer made a splash a few years back on the festival circuit...
'The Instigators' Movie Review
A breezy caper comedy, ‘The Instigators’ is just entertaining enough. ‘The Instigators’ won’t make you laugh out loud or leave much of an impression, but its stars’ easy chemistry gets you through its off-the-rails plot.Doug Liman hasn’t had a good time with his chosen profession in recent...
'Trap' Movie Review
Despite an Intriguing Premise, 'Trap' Doesn't Quite Stick the Landing. Director M. Night Shyamalan's new thriller is enjoyable but feels hollow by the end despite an excellent debut performance from Saleka Shyamalan.Writer and director M. Night Shyamalan stages an intriguing and entertaining thriller...
'Deadpool & Wolverine' Movie Review
Marvel claws its way back to fun with ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’. ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ is a warm, hilarious, violent, inappropriate and occasionally exasperating love letter to, of all things, the Fox Marvel universe.As we all know, it’s been a rough time in recent years for the Marvel Cinematic...
'Twisters' Movie Review
‘Twisters’ offers an old-school movie thrill ride with a great lead duo. The new movie is powered by impressive effects, and a mostly solid storyline but even more by the performances of Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones.At one point, it looked as though ‘Twisters’ might be headed down the road...
'Dandelion' Movie Review
‘Dandelion’ finds its voice telling the story of a woman who seeks hers. Stars KiKi Layne and Thomas Doherty sizzle in this story of a singer/songwriter who struggles with her creative identity and being seen in the world.Opening in theaters on July 12th, ‘Dandelion’ is the latest drama from...
'Reunion' Movie Review
‘Reunion’ is a comedy murder mystery that dies in both genres. Featuring the normally reliable comedy talents of Billy Magnussen, Lil Rel Howery, Jillian Bell and Michael Hitchcock, it nevertheless wastes most of them.It is tempting to suggest that ‘Reunion’ was birthed when someone watched the...
'Longlegs' Movie Review
Eerie ‘Longlegs’ feels like a nightmare from which you can’t awaken. An unrecognizable Nicolas Cage descends into Satanic evil and takes us with him in director Osgood Perkins’ disquieting, thoroughly creepy ‘Longlegs.’Writer-director Osgood Perkins has staked out his own personal corner...
'Fly Me to the Moon' Movie Review
‘Fly Me to the Moon’ often stalls, but works hard to stay airborne. One great movie and a couple of okay ones fight for space in ‘Fly Me to the Moon,’ an uneven mix of rom-com and space drama that’s just enjoyable enough.‘Fly Me to the Moon’ has ambitions almost as large as that of the...
'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' Movie Review
Lily Gladstone shines in the spotlight for emotional drama ‘Fancy Dance’. A nuanced, keenly-observed drama of family and culture slightly loses its way towards the end, but is carried by some excellent, naturalistic performances.Premiering on Apple TV+ on June 28th following a limited run in theaters,...
'MaXXXine' Movie Review
‘MaXXXine’ concludes Ti West and Mia Goth’s horror saga with flair. Although its ambition sometimes exceeds its reach, ‘MaXXXine’ stylishly lands this horror trilogy from director Ti West and a ferocious Mia Goth.Ti West is nothing if not ambitious. The indie horror auteur has followed up 2022’s...
'Despicable Me 4' Movie Review
Gru and the Minions return for more chaos in ‘Despicable Me 4’. This latest sequel keeps very much to the ‘Despicable’ playbook while also feeling more disjointed and, in one or two places, repetitive than usual.Opening in theaters on July 3rd, ‘Despicable Me 4’s is Illumination Entertainment...
'A Family Affair' Movie Review
Nicole Kidman finds unexpected love in lightweight, fun ‘A Family Affair’. Zac Efron and Joey King also star in this new comedy, about a young woman who is horrified mother starts dating her entitled, immature movie star boss.Launching on Netflix on June 28th, ‘A Family Affair’ continues the...
'A Quiet Place: Day One' Movie Review
The quiet parts work best in the pedestrian ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’. ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ manages to tell a decent human story in the midst of a mostly pointless, extended flashback to the start of the alien invasion.Although ‘A Quiet Place Part II’ already documented the arrival of...
'Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1' Movie Review
Kevin Costner goes old school for ‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1’. Costner has poured millions into this long-cherished passion project, which calls back to epic Westerns of yesteryear for good, and more frequently, ill.Riding into theaters on June 28th, ‘Does ‘Horizon: An American...
'Ghostlight' Movie Review
‘Ghostlight’ is a beautiful tale about the healing power of art. Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson write and direct this fantastic, emotive drama about a grief-stricken family man finding solace in a local theater company.In theaters on June 14th, ‘Ghostlight’ sees the welcome, if limited...
'Trigger Warning' Movie Review
Jessica Alba plays a commando who comes home in bland ‘Trigger Warning’. Mouly Surya is in the director’s chair for the disappointing new movie, which aside from its lead and one or two other casting choices, feels factory tooled.Launching on Netflix on June 21st, ‘Trigger Warning’ appears...
'Thelma' Movie Review
‘Thelma’ is a gentle, funny, smart “action” thriller with lots of charm. June Squibb scores her first starring role (at 93!) and proves that she has long deserved to be the focus of movies with a wonderful, knowing turn.Arriving in theaters on Friday June 21st, ‘Thelma’ is combines fun action...
'Kinds of Kindness' Movie Review
Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone headline eerie, funny ‘Kinds of Kindness’. Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons play multiple roles in ‘Kinds of Kindness,’ director Yorgos Lanthimos’ return to the absurdist horror of his early work.For his ninth feature film, ‘Kinds of Kindness,’ Greek director and...
'The Bikeriders' Movie Review
Actors Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy excel in rambling ‘The Bikeriders’. Jeff Nichols’ ‘The Bikeriders’ struggles to find its story but is bolstered by its excellent leads, colorful supporting cast, and rich period details.Motorcycle club culture remains an enigma to most people; to some, it represents...
'Inside Out 2' Movie Review
‘Inside Out 2’ is all grown up, explores self-awareness of a teenager. Pixar’s latest feature film delivers on laughs and tears while exploring self-doubt and self-discovery, with an outstanding performance from Maya Hawke.Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust are back for the sequel and ready...
'Robot Dreams' Movie Review
‘Robot Dreams’ is a sweet, stylish, inventive animated wonder. Pablo Berger adapts Sara Varon’s graphic novel into the story of a lonely canine who orders a best friend –– only for the pair to be parted on a beach.Adapting a graphic novel about a friendship between a dog and a robot that faces...
'The Watchers' Movie Review
While predictable, 'The Watchers' is a satisfying and suspenseful thriller. Director Ishana Night Shyamalan's directorial debut is a satisfying yet predictable thriller that features a strong lead performance from Dakota Fanning.Director Ishana Night Shyamalan delivers a satisfying and entertaining supernatural...
'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' Movie Review
‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ is a Noisy, Incoherent, Yet Entertaining Mess. Overstuffed and overamped, ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ still manages to eke out a few crowd-pleasing moments when it isn’t just being loud and nonsensical.No one was more surprised than us when we walked out of 2020’s ‘Bad...
'The Dead Don't Hurt' Movie Review
Viggo Mortensen directs and stars in brooding ‘The Dead Don’t Hurt’. Grim and slow-burning, Viggo Mortensen’s ‘The Dead Don’t Hurt’ puts an excellent Vicky Krieps at the heart of a standard Western tale of vengeance.Viggo Mortensen’s second film as a director, writer, producer, and composer...
'Hit Man' Movie Review
Glen Powell-Led ‘Hit Man’ is a funny, sexy thrill ride. Glen Powell and director Richard Linklater reteam for ‘Hit Man,’ a comedic crime thriller with all kinds of spicy twists that’s based on a true story.Premiering in 2023 at the Venice and Toronto film festivals before being scooped up by...
'Young Woman and the Sea' Movie Review
‘Young Woman and the Sea’ finds Daisy Ridley struggling to stay afloat. Joachim Rønning directs the inspirational based-on-truth story of Trudy Ederle, who, in 1926, was the first woman to swim across the English Channel.Opening in theaters on Friday, May 31st, ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ follows...
'The Garfield Movie' Movie Review
'The Garfield Movie' explores the popular cartoon cat's origin story. Chris Pratt delivers a fun vocal performance, while the introduction of Garfield's father Vic, sheds light on the cartoon cat's complicated family history.Opening in theaters on May 24th is the new animated family film ‘The Garfield...
'The Strangers: Chapter 1' Movie Review
‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ Is Basically A Remake Of ‘The Strangers’. ‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ kicks off a new trilogy in the home invasion franchise by retelling the original story, only with diminishing results.Since ‘The Strangers’ came out in 2008, its reputation as a stone-cold...
'Back to Black' Movie Review
‘Back to Black’ features a star-making lead turn but leaden execution. Sam Taylor-Johnson here brings the story of talented, ill-fated British singer/song-writer Amy Winehouse, with Marisa Abela starring as the musician.In theaters on Friday, May 17th, ‘Back to Black’ aims to chronicle the rise...
'IF' Movie Review
‘IF’ only John Krasinski could have made a better family film. John Krasinski writes, directs, and co-stars with Ryan Reynolds in the well-intentioned but poorly executed ‘IF,’ which works too hard for too little.After spending most of the past decade following the end of ‘The Office’ in...
'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' Movie Review
‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ Serves Up High-Octane Heavy Metal Action! Director George Miller triumphantly returns to the 'Mad Max' universe, while Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth both deliver career defining performances.Returning to the cinematic world he created, filmmaker George Miller once...