‘Widows’ review — Viola Davis leads the best movie ensemble of the year
Widows is successfully a thrilling heist movie, emotional character study, and dissection of our current social climate. Widows is based on the 1983 British television show of the same name, but you wouldn't know that watching Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen's adaptation from a screenplay written by Gone Girl scribe Gillian Flynn. The film, which changes the location from London to…
‘Shoplifters’ review — Touching, funny, and hopeful family drama
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…
‘High Flying Bird’ review — The politics of basketball
High Flying Bird is a masterfully constructed drama that tackles the professional sports business with as much intrigue as a heist movie. 30-second review: High Flying Bird doesn't clue you into its real intentions until the very end, that doesn't make the journey to get there any less compelling. Steven Soderbergh is a master of storytelling…
‘Unicorn Store’ review — Brie Larson’s directorial debut isn’t weird enough
Unicorn Store marks the directorial debut of Oscar-winner Brie Larson, who also stars in the Netflix Original. 30-second review: Unicorn Store has so much going for it — an original premise, terrific cast, directorial debut of one of the best actors working today — but the magic falls flat. That's no fault of Brie Larson, whose endearing…
2020 Oscars — Predictions in every category
Who will be nominated at the 2020 Oscars? Here are our predictions for Best Picture and every category. The 2020 Oscars are certain to be one of the most unpredictable yet after an off year. In addition to the most diverse voting body ever, the 2020 Oscars will be held on February 9th, which makes…
‘Little Woods’ review — Tessa Thompson goes against the system
Little Woods, Nia DaCosta's directorial debut, finds two sisters going up against a system that doesn't want them to succeed in One sentence review: Little Woods is a quiet, well-directed character-driven drama that features a powerhouse emotional performance by Tessa Thompson. One paragraph review: Though it may be on the nose at times, Little Woods is a tense and emotional look at…
‘The Shallows’ movie review — Blake Lively and a seagull fight a shark
The Shallows follows a young med student as she becomes harpooned on a tiny island in the middle of the ocean surrounded by a Great White Shark One sentence review: The Shallows makes the most of its familiar premise to deliver a thrilling and tense tale of survival grounded by a great lead performance by Blake Lively. One…
‘Captain Marvel’ movie review — A 90s origin story throwback
Captain Marvel features Brie Larson as the first lead female superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as she a young Nick Fury solve the mystery of her identity. One sentence review: Captain Marvel is a fun, corny, and empowering origin story that feels like a bridge between the past and the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.…
‘Our Time Machine’ Tribeca review — Life, love, and puppets
Our Time Machine is a funny and moving documentary about an artist's attempt to cope with his father's illness by literally and metaphorically creating a time machine. Directed by Yang Sun & S. Leo Chiang Written by S. Leo Chiang & Bob Lee Synopsis When artist Maleonn realizes that his father suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, he creates “Papa’s…
2020 Oscars Update #1: Are ‘Us’ or ‘Captain Marvel’ contenders?
This is the state of the 2020 Oscars race. At the end of every month, I’m going to take a look at the state of the Oscars race — breaking down the contenders that made a splash, those that fizzled out, and the ones to come. 317 days until the 2020 Oscars Oscar contenders that…