‘Waves’ review — One family faces the music
Waves follows an all-American family as a tragedy sends them into a tailspin One-sentence review: Waves is an electrifying and music-filled family drama that is as emotional as it is thrilling to watch. Details: ? Trey Edward Shultz // ⏳ 130 minutes // ? 2019The cast: Taylor Russell, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Sterling K. Brown, Renée…
‘Pain and Glory’ NYFF review — One of Almodóvar’s best
In Pain and Glory, a filmmaker reckons with his past when a screening of one of his films requires him to contact an actor he feuded with. One-sentence review: Pain and Glory is a colorful, funny and profound film where Pedro Almodóvar reckons with his past and career — featuring a career-best performance by Antonio…
‘Bird Box’ review — Netflix’s uneven but entertaining post-apocalyptic thriller
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…
10 Best Movies of 2018
2018 has been a stellar year for movies. From the return of the romantic comedy to another golden year in horror, here are the 10 best movies of 2018. After what seemed to be an unbeatable year for movies in 2017, along came 2018 to challenge it. And unlike last year, 2018 gave us great…
‘Gemini Man’ review — Geminis are the crazy ones
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’ review — All clown, no bite
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’ review — Once a loser, always a loser
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’ NYFF review — Transatlanticism in a movie
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’ review — Everyone is hustling someone
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’ review — The title says it all
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: ?…