Suspiria, a remake of the 1977 classic, gets an upgrade in plot and horror. 30-second review: Suspiria doesn't feel at all tamped down by the 1977 original Dario Argento film. If anything, it feels more like it is inspired by it rather than remaking it. However, that's what director Luca Guadagnino—his last film was the Oscar-winning Call Me By…
Beautiful Boy has a story worth telling, but the way it's told doesn't do justice to its subjects as it avoids the real pain of addiction. 30-second review: Beautiful Boy has an incredible true story worth telling at its center, but the way director Felix Van Groeningen presents that story zaps any impact that it could…
Bird Box doesn't bring anything new to the post-apocalyptic thriller genre despite a strong third act and solid performances. Bird Box certainly has the pedigree of a great movie behind it. The Netflix-produced movie is directed by the Emmy-winning director of The Night Manager Susanne Bier—she pulled off an upset against The People v. O.J. Simpson—written by the Oscar-nominated…
Mary Queen of Scots is a solid well-made historical drama with powerhouse performances by Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie Mary Queen of Scots is an exemplary example of how a historical drama can feel modern and have modern themes without sacrificing the story its based on. Saoirse Ronan—following up her career-high performance in Lady Bird—is a powerhouse as the titular famed…
Science Fair documents the profound and entertaining journey of nine students competing against 1,700 of the world's brightest young minds This is not your typical science fair. Directors Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster's film about the classic school tradition have young high school students with foam poster board talking about their projects. But instead of papier-mâché volcano's and…
The Haunting of Hill House is a near-perfect miniseries. Here's how we would rank each episode of the first season. The Haunting of Hill House is yet another triumph in horror for director Mike Flanagan who in recent years has delivered movies like supernatural horror Oculus, home invasion thriller Hush, and the second movie in the Ouija franchise. With the series,…
Free Solo follows climber Alex Honnold as he prepares mentally and physically to climb a 3,000-foot rock wall... without a rope. Free Solo is about obsession. The subject at the center of the film, Alex Honnold, is obsessed with free soloing, a sport where a climber traverses a mountain without any ropes or harnesses. Just their…
Paul Dano's directorial debut Wildlife is a quiet but powerful tale of self-destruction with a masterful performance by Carey Mulligan. Wildlife has all the workings of a classic kitchen sink drama. However, instead of the poor industrial towns of England, actor Paul Dano's directorial debut moves the setting to 1960s Montana and follows a working-class family as they…
Best Supporting Actor at the 2019 Oscars is stacked with industry veterans and newcomers looking for their shot at Oscar glory. Best Supporting Actor seems to be the most locked acting categories as Mahershala Ali has swept every televised acting prize including the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and Critics Choice. However, I think there…
Shoplifters is heartbreaking but often funny and hopeful look at a family of thieves relying on each other to make it day to day. Shoplifters is one of those rare movies that you cherish what you don't know about the characters. Not because what's beneath the surface will change your opinion of them. It's because you know when…
