Tag: movie review

An expert rendering of Old West minimalism, “Old Henry” also provides a splendid showcase for the considerable skills of its leathery, well-worn star, Tim Blake Nelson.

Whether he’s writing, directing or both, Paul Schrader has pretty much been making variations of the same movie since the ‘70s when he wrote “Taxi Driver.”

“The Starling” is for the birds. A confused and unconvincing drama about grief, the film draws you in with its powerhouse cast, headed by Melissa McCarthy, and its respected director, Theodore Melfi.

Move over, George and Martha. Make room for the “Together”’ – He (James McAvoy) and She (Sharon Horgan) who deserve their own place in the annals of toxic cinematic relationships.

The newest iteration with Camila Cabello in the title role, mixes the Latinx flash of Linn-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights” with the jukebox whirl of such “period” pieces as “The Knight’s Tale.”

“Stillwater” runs deep. A lot deeper than most summer thrillers starring an Oscar-hungry major Hollywood movie star typically run.

Easily one of the best pictures of the year, “The Green Knight” is an eerie and enchanted fantasy epic based on – of all things – an anonymous 14th-century poem with links to Christian mythology and Arthurian legend.

“Roadrunner” is a semi- informative look at a decidedly opaque man – Anthony Bourdain.  A charmer, yes.  Also, an intellectual with a sensitive side and a cynic with a snarky streak. 

Okay, as someone more into Wuthering Heights than Washington Heights, I’m hardly the target audience for “In the Heights,” the movie adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s pre-“Hamilton” 2008 Tony-winner.

Because she was from Puerto Rico, Rita Moreno had to play everything from Mexican spitfires to Native American maidens to doomed Asian lovers.

My guess is, when John Krasinski directed, co-wrote and starred in 2018’s “A Quiet Place,” he wasn’t thinking about a sequel.

“Sweet” is the sort of word reviewers typically use to describe something inoffensive, but no more than so-so. That’s not the case with “Sylvie’s Love.”

Sometimes it seems gangster movies are as American as Mom and apple pie.  So, it makes a certain sense that “Lansky,” starring Harvey Keitel as the mobster Meyer Lansky, should open around the 4th of July.

Somebody call PETA now. “Cruella” is pure putrid poison, a camped-up extravaganza disguised as harmless kiddie crud. 

“I’ve just had a pee next to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber!” If that bit of dialogue gives you a chuckle, then “Dream Horse” may be the movie for you.

“Undine” is a movie you have to be in the mood for.  It luxuriates in its ambiguities, not really caring if we’re with it or not.

Much like its slippery protagonist, “Georgetown” holds your attention.  But again, much like hanging around said protagonist, you may not be sure your time was well spent.

It is a measure of “The Dry’s” generosity that it offers two murder-mysteries for the price of one.

The ghost of Alfred Hitchcock hovers over “The Woman in the Window” the way Grace Kelly hovers over a laid-up Jimmy Stewart in “Rear Window.” Only, there’s no Princess-Grace-to-be on hand (or a Hitchcock, for that matter) to help Amy Adams through this clumsy would-be thriller.