Recent Reviews
These are our latest reviews of movies at theaters, at the art house, or at festivals.
The Goldfinch
*1/22019, John Crowley
A cold, slow affair that turns into a borderline laughable drama of ridiculous situations.
The Goldfinch isn’t Oscar bait. It’s cat food.
It: Chapter Two
****2019, Andy Muschietti
There’s never been a better time to appreciate It than right now.
There’s a lot more to It than meets the eye.
It’s almost a disservice to describe It: Chapter Two as a horror movie. It’s most certainly a disservice to write it off as nothing more than a horror movie.
Brittany Runs a Marathon
***2019, Paul Downs Colaizzo
The marathon is in many respects merely a device from which more interesting material hangs.
Brittany Runs a Marathon is a little flat-footed, but the larger context offers some good food for thought.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette
***2019, Richard Linklater
There’s a documentary within the movie that’s pure movie gold.
Bernadette isn’t the heavy hitter it could’ve been, but at least it tackles an interesting big idea.
The Peanut Butter Falcon
***1/22019, Tyler Nilson, and Michael Schwartz
It’s the movie’s heart which ultimately makes Peanut Butter Falcon take flight.
The Peanut Butter Falcon is one of those small, off-the-radar movies that deserves to be seen.
Dora and the Lost City of Gold
***2019, James Bobin
Isabela Moner’s eager delivery of every line transcends caricature and creates a unique character.
Dora’s first live-action, big-screen adventure serves as both a fresh start and a loving tribute to the long-running animated TV series.
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
***1/22019, David Leitch
Thank director David Leitch for keeping this one grounded in its own insanity.
It’s absurd & implausible, but it’s also a blast & enjoyable.
The Farewell is an elegantly simple production, the ultimate in summertime counter-programming.
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood
**1/22019, Quentin Tarantino
The last 30 minutes will likely be debated for years to come.
Quentin Tarantino has something great on his hands... until he caves to his own worst instincts.
Blinded by the Light
**2019
An inability to cut loose and transcend reality for something more is what keeps it in the dark.
Some personal stories are more lyrical in the mind than on the screen.
Stuber
*
It’s been a while since a comedy has been this relentlessly unappealing and maliciously stupid.
Cancel this ride and take an alternate route to the comedy store.
It’s been a while since an alleged comedy has been this relentlessly unappealing and maliciously stupid. Yes. It’s one of “those” comedies: All of the best laughs are in the trailer, with plenty of room to spare.
Spider-Man: Far from Home
***1/2Jon Watts
Given the pure likability of this cast, what lies ahead will be a lot of fun.
The lightheartedness of Far from Home stands in stark contrast to Endgame (pardon the pun).
Yesterday
***Danny Boyle
It’s a goofy premise and director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) knows it.
Yesterday is an amiable and off-beat tale about music and the power of love, but it misses some of the high notes.
Toy Story 4
***1/2Josh Cooley
Toy Story 4 ends with the greatest plot twist in the history of G-rated fare.
Toy Story 4 delivers a fresh batch of good ol’ fashioned Pixar magic brushed up with a reinvigorated sense of adventure.
Ron Howard tells the story of the larger-than-life tenor who introduced opera to the masses, but this documentary struggles to find its own voice.