‘It’ (2017) review — More thrilling than scary, but certainly entertaining
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’ movie review — Tarantino’s Summer of ’69
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’ review — An intimate and political love story
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’ review — Saved by Springsteen
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…
‘Good Boys’ mini-review — Good boys doing bad things
Three tween boys ditch school and go on an adventure that involves drones, drugs, and a suspicious number of sex toys in Good Boys. 90-second review: If movies like Superbad and Booksmart prove anything, it's that watching uncool teens try to be cool is a comedy gold mine. Good Boys mines the same tropes for humor — the entire plot revolves around…
‘Luce’ movie review — An American (dream) crime story
Luce follows a mystery surrounding a small town's golden child and him and his parents' run-in with a teacher bent on his demise. 30-second review: Luce is so successful because its story has a clear message and point-of-view it wants to communicate, but director Julius Onah presents it in a completely fresh and original way. Though at its core…
‘The Perfection’ review — Cello from the other side
The Perfection follows two students of a renowned music academy whose first encounter leads to sinister results. 30-second review: The Perfection's first half portends a sharp and tense psychological thriller with two committed performances by Allison Williams and Logan Browning as the former and current star students of a prestigious music academy respectively. But one…
‘Rocketman’ mini-review — The bitch is back
Rocketman follows the meteoric launch and the explosive fall of one of music's most iconic artists, Elton John. 90-second review: Let's get the Bohemian Rhapsody comparison out of the way early. Rocketman is the better film. Not only is it competently made, it's not just a paint-by-the-numbers biopic that plugs in the right plot points…
‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ review — Nightmares brought to life
In the late 1960s, a group of teens finds a book that brings their nightmares to life in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, based on the book series of the same name. 30-second review: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark has the creature design that made producer Guillermo Del Toro's career such…
‘Midsommar’ movie review — Break up with your boyfriend, I’m scared
Midsommar is a Swedish folk nightmare for a couple and their group of friends caught in the middle of a sinister summer ritual 30-second review: All the tools that Ari Aster used in his directorial debut Hereditary — a film I adore — are on display in Midsommar. It’s impeccably shot and directed with the same unflinching…