Some said it sounded like a Pepsi commercial. Others said is sounded like a Disney tune. And those were some of the artists involved.
Read More‘A Creature Was Stirring’ Review | Wait for It
Stay for the whole thing and you may decide that you‘ve actually just viewed a decent psychological thriller.
Read MoreKevin James: Irregardless | The Comedy Special Drought is Over
Kevin James, basically working clean, crushes the latest streaming stand-up specials by miles. I was getting really tired of preaching instead of joke-telling
Read More‘Sunrise’ Review; What’s at Stake?
He looks like a sad drifter – not a pathetic homeless person but a rambling guy who may or may not have someplace specific to go and something to do that is almost like a mission. That’s Alex Pettyfer in the new horror(ish) flick, “Sunrise.” Taken in by a kindly…
Read More‘Dumb Money’ | Smart Movie
Sometimes movies die a quiet death at the box office for no good reason. Maybe the promotional budget was small or a bigger title opened on the same Friday.
Read More‘Roadkill’ | Middle of the Road Grindhouse
Meant to look like a classic early 80s Grindhouse splatter flick with one twist you can see from 6 exits away and another that’s a genuine surprise.
Read More‘The Mummy Murders’ | Terrible Title, Decent Horror Flick
This smart psychological thriller/horror is not about mummies, it’s about a present-day serial killer and the journalist with whom he shares his secrets.
Read More‘The Best (and the rest) of 2023’
Here are my best films, plus Best Horror, Best Animated, etc.
Read More‘The Disappearance of Shere Hite’ | Seventies Icon of Sexuality
She was among the most famous names in the country with as many detractors as fans
Read More‘Do Not Disturb’ | Love Bites, Love Bleeds
The dread is in the air – it’s thick…kinda like the blood will be later on in this B-movie (ish) Horror flick
Read More‘The Killer’ | A Bullseye for Boredom
You think the assassin’s job is boring? Try watching a movie about his days.
Read More‘Screwdriver’ | A Half-Empty Toolbox
Comes out with great, creepy energy, but doesn’t have the juice to go all the way.
Read More‘King Crimson at 50 | Film Celebrates Prog Rock Pioneers’
The Legendary Band King Crimson Hits Big Screen Before Going to On-Demand Soon.
Read More‘The Burial’ | Gentle Courtroom Drama Worth a Look
Contrary to its title, it’s NOT a scary movie. More like a gentle Tuesday night view at home.
Read More‘Why Scorsese’s New Film Isn’t Among His Top 5’
There isn’t a better example of bravura filmmaking than director Martin Scorsese’s new Killers of the Flower Moon. It is almost unrivaled in every facet of the art and surely one of the best of the year. But is it really his best, as some have suggested? “Almost unrivaled” because…
Read MoreRussell Crowe Makes ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ Better Than it Had to Be
The shopworn title makes it sound like just another schlocky horror, but it uses subtle wisecracks and from Russell Crowe to make it worth a watch,.
Read MoreBummer Summer or Sizzlin’ Cinema? Quick Seasonal Wrap
Barbie may live in a pink world, but she was red hot at this summer’s cinemas.
Read More‘AGED’ | Spooky Flick That Doesn’t Get Old
A sprinkle of predictability and a pinch of déjà vu actually work well for a film like “Aged.”
Read More‘The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster’
Yep, that is the actual title, and it explains itself about as literally as you could possibly do.
Read More‘Joyland’ | Love and Tragedy in Dysfunctional Family
Whether because of, or in spite of, the conservative repression tied to society and religion in those countries– artful films coming out of Iran and Pakistan have been surprisingly multi-dimensional,
Read MoreHow to Watch Every Episode of ‘Columbo’ for Free
I feel like a kid again. Falk lived from 1937 to 2011, but his character might just live on forever. Sometimes the Internet turns up a treat.
Read More‘Being Mary Tyler Moore’ | She Turned the World On
there has never been a night on network TV as out-of-this-world as Saturday nights in 1973.
Read More‘Influencer’ | Mean Girls at a Whole Other Level
Don’t you love it sometimes when rooting for the villain is almost kind of the honorable thing to do because the presumed hero is not nearly as cool of a person?
Read More‘Love to Love You, Donna Summer’ | Deep Dive with the Queen of Disco
Donna Summer was huge when I was coming up through school. I thought she was sexy and a great performer with a powerful voice, but that was it. Not anymore.
Read More‘How to Create a Sex Scandal’| Intense and Infuriating
Intense, infuriating and somewhat predictable, this gripping docuseries uncovers the evil underneath the Idyllic surface of Mineola, TX.
Read More‘To Catch a Killer’ Shailene Woodley Miscast in Dull Cop Film
I honestly thought she was still a teenager, Woodley’s youthful appearance and demeanor make her entirely unbelievable as a cop.
Read More‘Air’ | Quality “Hang Time” with Affleck and Damon
somehow manages to makes us lean in and feel as if we have a stake in a sports shoe company. It’s quite a feat (feet?)
Read More‘The Tutor’ | New Twist on an Old Twist
The set up looks like an easy mystery to solve- not a bad thing. But a twist on a twist in the final third of the film keeps us on our toes to the end.
Read More‘On the Edge’| European Crime Thriller: 3 ½ out of 4 Stars
Takes a lot of tropes of the genre and twists them into a fresh way of storytelling.
Read More‘From Black’ | Good Looking Take on a Low-Budget Horror
Solid production and cast that belie what is surely an ultra-low budget flick, Doesn’t reach the high bar, but keeps the viewer curious, if not exactly rapt.
Read MoreTrials to Triumph | A Good Fit for Christian Summer Camps
will play well at church summer camps this season or in Sunday schools. With the right audience, the film is going to be received in a whole different light.
Read More‘100 Foot Wave’ | Dude. Gnarly, Tasty Waves
100 Foot Wave made me give a damn about people who surf giant waves year round. That’s admirable. That’s great filmmaking.
Read More‘Saint X ‘ | Crime Mystery in the Caribbean
Busting out of the chute with great creative force, Saint X is immediately suspenseful and promising before setting down with too soft a landing.
Read More‘The Diplomat’ is a Goodwill Programming Ambassador
The vibe of The Diplomat is kind of an amalgamation of shows I’ve liked: The Crown, Madam Secretary, and West Wing,
Read More‘One of These Days’ | American Dream or Nightmare?
One of Those Days tells the story of twenty East Texans who, if lucky enough, have their name drawn; get to compete for a new pick up
Read More‘A Handful of Water’ | Gentle, Moving Story with a Message.
A thoughtful film that makes points without making a lot of noise – taking us to a location we don’t know and giving us characters we’d like to know
Read More‘My Name is Mo’Nique’| Not Worth the Wait, the Years or the Tears
As a stand-up comedienne, Mo’Nique is an amazing actress. Even a decade later, her Oscar-winning turn towers above this monotonous loop.
Read More‘Jason Isbell: Running with Our Eyes Closed’
It’s so personal, so intimate, that it’s almost awkward to see him lay himself so bare. But it’s so good.
Read More“Fist of the Condor’ | Balletic Butt-Kicking
Despite the fact that the dialog is straight off a coffee mug or a social media meme, it excels where it needs to: with kick fight choreography that is next level.
Read More‘Hunt Club’ | Bikinis, Bare Knuckles, Bad A$S Babes
It plays like a 1970s exploitation flick that you’d have seen at a Drive-In. One big difference – the tables turn in the ladies’ favor.
Read More‘Big Mack: Gangsters and Gold’ | True Crime, Heavy Time
They called him the most peculiar character in Germany’s legal history. He was certainly the heaviest- at several hundreds of pounds. He was everywhere
Read More‘Monumental: Ellie Goulding at Kew Gardens’
I think i only knew one song of hers but this intimate setting and sonic excellence have turned me into a fan. And i’s free to watch.
Read More‘Summoning Sylvia’ | Queen Scream
The new Horror comedy, Summoning Sylvia has zero scares but scores of laughs. Mostly little snarky, self-aware lines that effortlessly drop like faux pearls,
Read More‘Malum’ | Head Bangin’ Bits of Blood and a Rising Scream Queen
It’s her first night on the job and she’s all alone in a closing police station. Well,,not ALL alone.
Read More‘Adalynn’ | Sometimes the Scares are from Within
this isn’t her first time at motherhood. She previously had a baby called Miles who died. She is continually haunted by the shattering experience.
Read More‘Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers in Blues’
there’s a tiny bit of bait & switch going on, since Stevie Ray is only a small portion here. But it turns out that Jimmie Vaughan can spin a good yarn
Read More‘Swarm’ | Blunt Force Drama| 3 ½ out of 4 Stars
So extreme is her devotion to singer Ni’ Jah, that she harshly judges, doing horrifically violent things to those you have wronged her or Ni’ Jah.
Read More‘Last Sentinel’ | Intense Postapocalyptic Thriller is a Pulse-Pounder
Kate Bosworth stars in this post-apocalyptic thriller that borrows a lot, but succeeds
Read More‘Reggie’ | Deep Homers, Deep Man in Surprising Doc
Lately, sports docs have been notable for how they tell the parts of the story that have nothing to do with sports. This is totally compelling.
Read More‘Unwelcome’ | Missing a Bit of Lucky Charm
Although I didn’t dig Unwelcome, I have friends—MANY friends who will love this blended mix of genre flicks.
Read More‘The Little Mermaid’ First Look at Official Trailer, Poster
The Oscars Ended Less Than 24 Hours ago – Time Now to Look Ahead to This Year’s Sure-Fire Smash
Read More‘The Strays’ | Solid Thriller, Horror-Lite
Are they victims or victimizers or a bit of both? The Strays gets its thrills with these questions
Read More‘You’ Season 4 | A Jolly Good Improvement!
A change of scenery to jolly ole’ England and a fresh cast of characters to root against makes all the difference
Read More‘Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal’ Deeper Than Headlines
Burned out by all the coverage? This gripping doc comes with more details and new angles.
Read More‘Hunt Her Kill Her’: Cat & Mouse Reversal in Bloody Thriller
Imagine Home Alone, but instead of a cherubic-faced Kevin, the victim is a single Mom alone in a factory.
Read More“Juniper” Review | An Odd Couple You Haven’t Seen Before
The difference is the understated performances, the pretty New Zealand locations and the way first time director Matthew J. Saville has put his own personal spice in the mix
Read More‘Bordello’ | The Old West Goes Limp
With a title like Bordello, you figure, “hey if the movie is crap, at least there might be some prurient content to soften the blow. But, no.
Read More‘Shrinking’ | Try It On For Size
Harrison Ford and Jason Segel are an unlikely pair, but they make this gentle comedy series a surprisingly satisfying watch
Read More‘Attachment’ | When Evil Forces Try to Ruin a Romance
Will it give you chills ? No. Not even. And yet, it’s a solid watch. Some eerie elements, but enough about the mother-in-law.
Read More‘Condor’s Nest’ | Revenge Flick with an Epic View
Lately, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by modestly budgeted features with no stars, but solid journeymen and solid production.
Read More‘Out of Exile’ | Greatest Heist Hits in One Movie
Out of Exile checks off all the “heist” boxes of the genre, but darn if it doesn’t do so in an entertaining way.
Read More‘The Stalking Fields’ | Kill or Be Killed
So long as you don’t take the concept too seriously, and just enjoy it as a modestly budgeted entertainment, it’s a well-paced action thriller.
Read More‘The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker’| Meme to Murder
The guy with the great sound bite is obviously mentally ill. But we threw appearance fees and free beer at him.
Read More‘Those Who Call’ | Wait For It…Wait For It
There is a satisfying final act payoff to Those Who Call, but you must patiently steel yourself for a challenging wait for something to happen.
Read More‘The Old Way’ | Nic Cage Saddles Up and Succeeds
He’s been in more than 100 films and you could argue he was miscast in 75% of them. But that is the fun of watching Nic Cage
Read MoreThe Top 10 Films of 2022 | The Best Of List
Best Films of 2022, Best Movies of 2022, Aftesun,
Read MoreThe Absolute Best True Crime Films of 2022
Here are some of my personal standouts. What were yours?
Read More‘Women Talking’ | Be Quiet and Eat Your Vegetables
When a film cannot find a way to exist as an entertainment, it’s doomed. You can’t receive a message if you’re asleep.
Read More‘White Noise’ | Adam Driver & Greta Gerwig’s Suburban Snark
Almost too clever by half. But this swing at satire lands a few pops, even as it swerves all over the road.
Read More‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ | Fun Heeling of the Sole
I’ve probably gotten more chuckles from this film than any other this season. Its sly, irreverent humor carries it throughout.
Read More‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ is Kind of Perfect
An Award-worthy film that just happens to be a mainstream mystery romp.
Read More‘Emancipation’ | There’s a Will, But…No Way
Fuqua has taken a somber story and turned it into a Hollywood action flick, to include Will wrasslin’ a gator.
Read More‘Nanny’ | A Mother’s Worst Nightmare
One of my favorite performances by an actress this year, is the quietly mesmerizing turn by Anna Diop in Nanny
Read More‘Bad Axe’ Review | All-American Families Look Like This
What is an “all-American” family? Do you think of an immigrant family struggling to keep their small business afloat during the pandemic.? You will now.
Read More‘Master of Light’ | How to Save a Life and Lose Another
A man released from prison uses his skills as an artist to gain some renown, but his mother is always in trouble. Can he straighten her out?
Read More‘Wendell & Wild’ | Amazing Animation, Not for Young Kids
The Stop Motion animation is artful and eye-popping, but the storyline is too dark for younger kids and almost too plot heavy.
Read More‘The English’ | Emily Blunt Leads New Western Series
In the end, you’ll keep watching for the promise it continually holds, even as it doesn’t fully live up to that potential.
Read More‘The Pay Day’ Review | Pretty Faces, British Accents Rule
You can’t take it seriously; virtually every plot point defies the laws of probability. But I’m a sucker for a pretty face and a British accent.
Read More‘Causeway’| Jennifer Lawrence Shines in Quiet Art Film
Go in expecting a subtle character study that doesn’t have major highs or lows, and you’ll appreciate the performances and the story.
Read More‘The Invaders’ Review | Civil Rights Group Lost to History
It’s been a great year for Civil Rights era films. Add this to “Louis Armstrong’s Black and Blues” on your watchlist.
Read More‘Girl at the Window’ | “Ozploitation” Thriller Review
Imagine a Nancy Drew mystery with a bit of blood, violence, and nudity. This hybrid of genres is, however unlikely, quite watchable.
Read More‘Good Night Oppy’ | Joy and Heartbreak from the Rover
We already know from WALL-E that one can fall in love with a machine. The stakes are even higher for this one.
Read MoreLouis Armstrong’s Black & Blues | Things We Never Knew
If you are old enough to have an instant mental image of Louis Armstrong, I’ll bet you ten bucks that it was never this.
Read More‘Let There Be Drums’ | Cheery Doc is Unbeatable!
Passionate and powerful testimonials from people who are the best at what they do is always going to be infectious and delightful.
Read More‘Moonage Daydream’ Doc Turns David Bowie Story Into a Bore
The biggest fans may be the most disappointed. It plays like what we used to call a Midnight Movie, the viewers in altered states
Read More‘The Good Nurse’ | World Class Actors, Mediocre Script
I found the Wikipedia entry about the main character far more intense and absorbing than what is presented here.
Read More‘The Guest Room’ | Intense Thriller | 3 ½ out of 4 Stars
It had me in the first ten minutes and kept me leaning forward until the very end.
Read More‘Silent River’ | Hypnotic Neo-Noir is Sexy, Stylish
Some truth in advertising from your humble critic: it isn’t going to be for everyone. You kinda have to know yourself as a viewer going into it.
Read MoreThe Real Bling Ring: Hollywood Heist | Finally Comes Clean
It’s already been a semi-fictionalized movie. Now the real people have come forth.
Read More“Descendant’ | Voices from the Grave Come to Life in Alabama
Heartbreaking, anger-inducing, but ultimately cathartic, Margaret Brown’s documentary, Descendant, works on so many levels, you’ll lose count.
Read More‘Sinphony: A Clubhouse Horror Anthology’
I was not familiar with the audio-based social media app Clubhouse until yesterday, but they must be a big deal because the new horror anthology, Sinphony, was conceived of and curated entirely on that platform. It’s not the worst horror anthology out this week (V/H/S/99 we’re looking at you), but it’s a bit…
Read More‘Werewolf by Night’ | Delightfully Streamlined Storytelling
I’d rather be lucky than smart – I stumbled onto this delightful little yarn with zero knowledge that it was a 55 minute, and first ever, installment of Marvel Studios Special Presentations .
Read More‘The Fastest Woman on Earth’: Broken Records, Broken Hearts
Her calling card since childhood was doing what the guys could do, only better. But at what cost?
Read More‘Kratt’ | Wonderfully Weird, Fitfully Funny
I have no idea where to put this; it’s part fantasy, part comedy, part horror and it features some hilarious turns by Estonian actors.
Read More‘She Will’ | Atmospheric Revenge Thriller| 3 ½ – 4 Stars
More atmospheric than scary and more high-class than horror, but a compelling journey to a place we’ve never been to with characters rarely seen.
Read More‘Conception’ | Labored Storytelling for Fertile Storyline
The best thing one can say is that parts of it would be good to play in a doctor’s office, on a TV, for couples considering IVF treatment.
Read More‘Dark Glasses’ Horror Review | Deserves All the Shade
Director Dario Argento has his fans, but I can’t imagine many of them digging this latest by the 81 year old.
Read More‘Luckiest Girl Alive’ Somewhat Saved by Mila Kunis
The book is surely better, but having Mila Kunis as a constant presence makes it irresistibly watchable.
Read MoreDarryl Jones: In The Blood | Rolling Stones Bassist’s Story
You drink a shot of whiskey every time someone describes Darryl Jones as “In the pocket,” you’ll be flat on your face in the first 20 minutes. Stones LOVE him
Read More‘Saloum’ | Ripping Good Flick Is A Horror Hybrid
It’s actually a little bit of a lot of different genres. A great cast and storyline.
Read MoreLong Road Home: The Cash Family’s Untold Story
It’s been called the Cash Curse; Johnny Cash’s family have struggled with alcoholism, drug abuse, and it seems to come with being a Cash.
Read More‘If These Walls Could Sing’ | Deep History of Abbey Road
Not just a Beatles doc – a fascinating deep dive into the place where history was made for a century, by many artists whose albums you have
Read More‘The Wild Man’ : You’ve Been Warned
I’ll make this quick, because I’m not a bully, I’m a straight up movie nerd. It’s bad, dude. It’s really, really bad.
Read More‘Sissy’ Review | Delightful Camp, Cheerfully Bloody
Talk about Mean Girls? This one proves me wrong that horror and comedy can’t co-exist. It’s a blast!
Read More‘Hostages’ | Never-Before-Seen Footage Tells Helluva Story
The hostages and captors are all in their 60s or older. Their look back is clear-eyed, sober and fascinating. This story is about much more than 444 days
Read More‘Dahmer’ Series | Humanizes but Doesn’t Glorify
A split-decision on the flawed Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Full of excesses, but gives the victims their due amid tough racial questions.
Read More‘The Innocents’ and the Other Best Horror Films of 2022
The Innocents is the highest rated Horror film this year, and it’s very good. Here’s a list of all the others.
Read MoreMurder at The Cottage: The Search For Justice For Sophie
True Crime fans can see a story they know from a different perspective: Irish Director Jim Sheridan
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