Will Smith plays an assassin whose retirement is put on hold when the government sends his clone to take him out in Gemini Man One-sentence review: Gemini Man applies new filmmaking technology to action well, but a thin and boring story makes it not worth the price of admission. Details: ? Ang Lee // ??…
Joker reimagines the iconic Batman villain as a mentally ill, impoverished standup comedian. One-sentence review: Joker is well-made and full of interesting choices that all feel hollow when you consider what the movie is trying to say — the answer: not much. Details: ? Todd Phillips // ?? U.S. // ⏳ 122 minutesThe cast: Joaquin…
It Chapter Two finds the members of the "Loser Club" returning to their hometown to face Pennywise one last time 30-second review: Rather than adding onto and complementing the first movie, It Chapter Two feels bogged down by it. Director Andy Muschietti and screenwriter Gary Dauberman try to make the movie funnier, scarier, more intense,…
Atlantics follows a group of workers in Dakar as they leave the country by boat looking for a better life. One-sentence review: Atlantics has an intriguing enough story and Mati Diop manages some fascinating scenes of tension and emotion, but it lacks the narrative momentum for it to really take off. Details: ? Mati Diop…
Hustlers follows a group of strippers as they hatch a plan to swindle money from their wealthy clientele. 30-second review: Hustlers is an incredibly complex movie. Not only is it hilarious and charming, it delivers commentary on complicated themes of female relationships, the power dynamic between men and women, and the struggle of the working…
Brittany Runs a Marathon follows an overweight and lonely New Yorker as she sets out to turn her life around by training for a marathon. One-sentence review: Brittany Runs a Marathon has enough charm, laughs, and wonderfully eclectic characters — especially Jillian Bell's eponymous Brittany — to get it past its weaker moments. Details: ?…
Following the 1990 miniseries, It reimagines Stephen King's classic novel as a frightening romp through the 1980s. 30-second review: A key change was made from Stephen King's classic novel It for its 2017 film adaptation directed by Andy Muschietti. The film's timeline was moved from the 50s to 1988. That change brought some refreshing updates — raunchy…
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino's ninth film, is a romp through the Golden Age of Hollywood. 30-second review: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is as well-made, deliciously unhinged, and entertaining as any of Quentin Tarantino's films. However, the impeccable recreation of 1969 Hollywood — from the sun-drenched cinematography to the lived-in…
If Beale Street Could Talk is gorgeous, powerful, stunningly crafted, and another masterpiece from Barry Jenkins. If Beale Street Could Talk is a love story at its core the same way that Moonlight, director Barry Jenkins' last film, is. It makes sense considering Jenkins excels at everything you need to make a good romance. He nails communicating…
Blinded by the Light follows a teen growing up in 1980s Britain as he discovers who he is through the music of Bruce Springstein 30-second review: Blinded by the Light has a lot on its mind — for better and worse. Thanks to some inventive musical staging of Bruce Springsteen's greatest hits like "Dancing in…
