Suitable effort: Captain Marvel strikes a balance among hero flicks
Films by or about women don’t need to be masterpieces in order to have the right to exist. It’s a point that should be obvious by now, but sadly needs […]
Crazy good: Isabelle Huppert steals the show in Greta
It’s a thin line between glorious camp and total trainwreck, and Neil Jordan’s Greta may be the new gold standard for the former. A storyline that wouldn’t be out of […]
Quick takes: A roundup of Oscar-nominated short films
Short film blocks are often the highlight of any film festival, but when the Academy Awards come around, audiences are less familiar with them than with other categories. Here’s a […]
Almost awesome: The Lego Movie 2 stacks up well to its predecessor
There’s been a quiet revolution happening in family entertainment for the last few years, where movies with broad popular appeal strive to be more than a way to distract your […]
Action flameout: Nicole Kidman’s gritty performance can’t save Destroyer
Director Karyn Kusama is one of the most interesting directors working today who is not a household name. Her most well-known movies—the groundbreaking Girlfight, the misunderstood Jennifer’s Body and the […]
For laughs: Stan & Ollie gets real about screen partners and friendship
Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were one of the great comedy pairings of Hollywood’s Golden Age, bringing vaudeville sensibilities to audiences around the world. A classic partnering of a physically […]
Found family: Shoplifters turns tradition upside down
In Shoplifters, director Hirokazu Kore-eda explores the beauty and morality that forms within societal fractures. The characters live as any family ought: They are supportive, caring, loving, and do what […]
Failed translation: The Upside is slow to show its charm
If you’ve ever listened to somebody tell a joke when they’ve clearly lost track of the punchline, you know the experience of watching The Upside. Full of good intentions and […]
Lasting impressions: Three movies you may have missed last year
As the year winds down and awards season approaches, movies that most audiences have never heard of begin to dominate the film news cycle. Limited releases, festival favorites, and critical […]
Treading water: Aquaman is as silly as it needs to be
After four disasters and one triumph, the DC Extended Universe offers the middling, non-event Aquaman, directed by James Wan (Saw, The Conjuring, Fast 7). This one is intended for folks […]