SLUG Contributor Limelight
January 7, 2021
Contributor Limelight: Patrick Gibbs
For just over a year, Contributing Writer Patrick Gibbs has been the driving force behind SLUG’s film coverage through his almost-daily film reviews and periodic filmmaker interview features. With a deep knowledge of the medium’s history, an incisive critical eye and a sly sense of humor, Gibbs’ writing exudes—more than anything—a love and respect for the art of cinema. For his unshakable tenacity and colorful voice, SLUG is honored to count Gibbs among our ranks. Head to SLUGMag.com to find an archive of Gibbs’ reviews and to keep up with new articles. Particularly this month, watch out out for his upcoming coverage of the Sundance Film Festival.
Articles by contributor
Film Review: The Convert
The Convert is a heartfelt period piece focusing on a lesser-known time and place, and it earns a recommendation, especially if you like historical films. … read more
Luke Gilford and The Cast of National Anthem
The message of this heartfelt and beautiful film is simple yer powerful: love is love, there is hope, and there is a place out there for all of us. … read more
Film Review: Fly Me to the Moon
Fly Me To The Moon is nothing more and nothing less than an enjoyable romcom with just enough history to hopefully steer audiences who want to know more in the right direction. … read more
Film Review: Touch
Touch is a beautifully crafted character study about making every moment count, and about having the courage to communicate your deepest fears and feelings. … read more
Film Review: Despicable Me 4
And if you’re looking for a recognizable brand that will get your kids excited, Despicable Me 4 is certainly the big event movie for the little ones. … read more
Film Review: Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F isn’t the must-see event that Top Gun: Maverick was, but as a straight-to-Netflix release, it doesn’t have to be. … read more
Film Review: Space Cadet
Unlike its determined protagonist, Space Cadet is perfectly content to be an acceptably amusing junk food movie and never try for anything more. … read more
Film Review: Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1
Horizon: An American Saga—an epic western being released in theaters in two parts this summer, isn’t just his boldest move yet, it’s a charge into the unknown. … read more
Film Review: A Quiet Place: Day One
A Quiet Place: Day One is the blockbuster debut of writer-director Michael Sarnoski, who gained notice with the mesmerizing indie feature Pig. … read more
Film Review: Daddio
Daddio was a film that got its hooks into me and won’t let go. It’s a simple yet perceptive depiction of two people learning a bit more about themselves. … read more
Film Review: Ghostlight
Ghostlight is an authentic and powerful film that earns the tears and moments of joy through the reality that its cast brings to it. … read more
Film Review: The Exorcism
The Exorcism may never have had the potential for greatness, yet it certainly could have been much more than a movie that is a major chore to finish watching. … read more
Film Review: The Bikeriders
The Bikeriders isn’t the best dramatic film of the summer, though it’s a strong one and it stands the best chance of finding a wide audience. … read more
Film Review: Thelma
Thelma is the best action film of the year by a wide margin, not because it redefines the genre, but because Margolin’s priority is to make a really good film. … read more
Film Review: Treasure
Treasure has scattered moments that elicit a degree of genuine emotion, though most of them come not from the story, but simply from seeing the locations. … read more
Animator Matt Majers’ Emotional Journey Through Inside Out 2
It’s been a journey of great emotion and imagination, and Majers is excited to keep pushing through new boundaries in the years to come. … read more
Film Review: Inside Out 2
I couldn’t be more overcome by joy—and by Joy—to give Inside Out 2 a resounding recommendation for all audiences. … read more
Film Review: Tuesday
Tuesday is certainly not going to be for everyone, and it’s a movie that leaves its audience with a lot to take in and ponder. … read more
A Family Holds The Mirror Up To Nature in Ghostlight
As Ghostlight hits theaters across America on June 14, the Kupferer family is taking this exciting new chapter in their lives one day at a time. … read more
Film Review: I Used To Be Funny
I Used To Be Funny is an affecting and compelling film that pulled me in so completely that it kept me awake for hours trying to process it. … read more
Pablo Berger On Visual Storytelling and Robot Dreams
Experiencing love and loss alongside Dog and Robot, and as each person finds a special meaning to the story, for Pablo Berger, it is truly a dream come true. … read more
Film Review: Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara
Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara, this is an important and profound film that needs to be widely seen, digested and discussed openly and mindfully. … read more
Film Review: Bad Boys: Ride Or Die
There’s something to be said for dumb fun, but there’s a whole lot of dumb and not nearly enough fun on display here. Bad films. Whatcha gonna do? … read more
Director Castille Landon Talks Summer Camp
She’d like it to inspire people to reconnect with someone from the past and spend time together. Whether in the great outdoors or together in a theater. … read more
Film Review: Young Woman and the Sea
Young Woman and The Sea is the perfect argument against the frequently uttered complaint that “They don’t make movies like they used to.” … read more
Film Review: Ezra
Ezra is an embarrassing misfire, especially considering the talent involved in it. … read more
Film Review: Jim Henson: Idea Man
Jim Henson: Idea Man is a loving tribute and unforgettable chronicle of a life and career cut all too short, one which nevertheless had an immeasurable impact that continues to this day. … read more
Film Review: The Dead Don’t Hurt
The Dead Don’t Hurt is a horse opera that trots in a circuitous and at times circular route rather than galloping purposefully from one point to the next. … read more
Film Review: Babes
Babes is hardly a movie for everyone, though it’s likely to do very well with its target female audience and can be readily enjoyed by men as well. … read more
Film Review: Atlas
Atlas is a prime example of the kind of assembly line filmmaking that may benefit from costing you nothing apart from your Netflix subscription. … read more
Wētā’s Phillip Leonhardt on The Evolution of Apes and VFX
Leonardt has worked on all four of installments of the modern Planet of the Apes series, starting with the 2011 release Rise of the Planet of the Apes, followed by Dawn of The Planet of the Apes in 2014 and War for the Planet of Apes in 2017. … read more
Film Review: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
This feels more like the work of a filmmaker who has been told he’s a visionary and is too eager to bask in the glow of that pronouncement. … read more
Film Review: The Garfield Movie
The Garfield Movie didn’t have to be a great film to win me over. It just had to live up to its title. … read more
Film Review: IF
IF is reaching very high, mixing the feel of a Pixar film with a heavy Spielbergian influence. … read more
Film Review: Force of Nature: The Dry 2
While Falk is ostensibly the main character, he’s far less central to this story than in The Dry, meaning that Bana isn’t given quite as much screen time here. … read more
Film Interview: Renny Harlin is No Stranger To Peril and...
Renny Harlin has been helming features since 1986 as his latest film The Strangers: Chapter 1 gets ready to hit theaters, he reflects on his secret to survival. … read more
Film Review: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes captures the feel of the ‘70s film; judged on that level, it’s one of the stronger films within the larger franchise. … read more
Film Review: We Grown Now
It’s an artful and evocative cinematic experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll and the lights come up. … read more
Film Review: The Idea of You
The Idea of You is a manufactured soap opera with scattered laughs and very appealing stars that make it play as decent disposable entertainment. … read more
Film Review: The Fall Guy
The Fall Guy comes off without a hitch, with a thumbs up signaling that it’s ready to go again. … read more
Film Review: Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver
As is always the case with Snyder, Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver features intricate and striking visuals, and as always, the divisive director deftly paints pretty pictures with painstaking precision. … read more
Film Review: Boy Kills World
Boy Kills World may well play strongly to the violence equals fun crowd, and may well find a cult following. … read more
Film Review: Hard Miles
The fact-based drama Hard Miles makes for a smooth ride that gets from point A to point B with few surprises along the way. … read more
Film Review: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
Ritchie really wants to follow in the footsteps of Tarantino. I’d suggest making one more film and then retiring. I don’t mind if he skip the first part. … read more
Film Review: Challengers
It scores enough points to be called a winner, and it’s got style to spare, but it lacks the heart of a true champion. … read more
Film Review: LaRoy, Texas
Writer-director Shane Atkinson makes his feature debut with this darkly comedicneo-western.
… read more
Film Review: Monkey Man
Patel makes a big impression coming out the gate as a new director, with creative and intricate staging and a lot of visual flair. … read more
Film Review: Kung Fu Panda 4
Kung Fu Panda 4 is better than can be reasonably expected from the fourth movie in any series and is likely to be one of the most enjoyable family films you’ll see all year. … read more
Film Review: Wicked Little Letters
A remarkably absorbing and smartly-paced film that mixes silly comedy with surprisingly heavy drama that ranges from touching to genuinely unsettling. … read more
Who You Gonna Call? Eric Steelberg
Whether he returns to the franchise in future or not, the Ghostbusters experience has been a milestone in Steelberg’s career. … read more
Film Review: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is the third time we’ve returned to this particular well since 2017, and this time, the water is more than a little bit icy. … read more
Film Review: Immaculate
If you can embrace Immaculate as pure camp, you may find Immaculate to be just what you’re looking for, especially if you’re a big fan of extreme gore. … read more
Film Review: Sleeping Dogs
Sleeping Dogs isn’t as inventive as Memento or as exciting as The Bourne Identity, though it’s better than any other amnesia film in recent memory… I think. … read more
Film Review: Shirley
Shirley is a good film that is ultimately too by-the-numbers to be be called a great one, and it definitely left me wanting in terms of character development. … read more
Film Review: Uproar
Uproar is one of the best films to come out in 2024 up to this point, and it’s a triumph for Julian Dennison, who shows that he has real star potential. … read more
Film | Film Reviews | SLUGmag
Film Review: One Life
It’s a well-acted film that tells a worthy story about courage in face of evil. It’s unfortunate their own protagonist and the filmmakers play things safely. … read more
Film Review: Damsel
While Damsel isn’t terrible, it’s humorless, bland and too hokey to pull off the deadly serious tone that the filmmakers have chosen. … read more
Film Review: Love Lies Bleeding
Love Lies Bleeding is too interesting to dismiss and too maddeningly uneven—and at times, quite unpleasant—to fully embrace. … read more
Film Review: Spaceman
The prospect of sharing this lonely journey with an interesting character on a mission into the unknown is tantalizing for cerebral science fiction fans. … read more
Oscar Winner Tom Schulman Doubles Down on Directing
Schulman is still following the advice of his most iconic character, John Keating, so memorably portrayed by Robin Williams, and seizing the day. … read more
Film Review: Dune: Part Two
Whether Paul Atreides is a messiah or not, Denis Villenueve is certainly delivering us from the doldrums of assembly line mediocrity. … read more
Film Review: Drive-Away Dolls
Drive-Away Dolls is a raunchy sex comedy/buddy movie/romance/caper movie that doesn’t require a male lead to pull off any of these dynamics, and it’s decidedly not for all tastes. … read more
Film Review: Ordinary Angels
The Christian movie market has been thriving at the box office, which is impressive when you consider that it arguably has yet to produce a single good movie. … read more
Film | Film Reviews | SLUGmag
Film Review: Bleeding Love
Bleeding Love is middle of the road movie that is better suited to a $6.99 rental at home than a trip to the theater. … read more
Film Review: The Teacher’s Lounge
It’s an insightful piece of filmmaking that is unlikely to find the wide audience deserved, though it’s going to leave a mark on nearly everyone who sees it. … read more
Film Review: Bob Marley: One Love
Bob Marley: One Love is an entertaining, if disjointed, snapshot into the life and achievements of a complex and important figure in music, spiritualism, and politics. … read more
Film Review: Argylle
If you’re ready to laugh and have a great time with an unapologetically indulgent thrill ride, Argylle is just the ticket for a weekend diversion. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Hit Man
If you can tell yourself “it’s only a movie” and take it with a grain of salt, Hit Man is likely to be the most enjoyable two hours you’ll spend at the movies. … read more
Sundance Interview: Molly Manning Walker on How To Have Sex
British Writer-Director Molly Manning Walker brought her narrative feature debut, How To Have Sex, to Park City this year, where—despite the chilly weather—it received a warm reception. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Presence
Presence is less a movie than it is a gimmick, and while I’m all for Soderbergh making smaller films, this is the latest frustrating example of his tendency to go for volume above all else. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Ponyboi
Ponyboi is a bold and transcendent performance that is screaming out to be seen, and if Hollywood is willing to look at Gallo, it could be a game changer. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Rob Peace
Ejiofor capably tells a tragic tale that is worthy of the Bard in Rob Peace—if he can hone is instincts a bit, he has the potential to be great storyteller. … read more
Lucy Lawless will Never Look Away From A Great Story
If there’s one thing that Lawless hopes audiences will take away from her film, it’s a sense of love and respect for journalists working in war zones. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Suncoast
In the case of Suncoast, it feels a bit too much like writer/director Laura Chinn was meeting with her therapist and was told “just write a screenplay about your teenage experiences and see if you can work in a part for Woody Harrelson.” … read more
Sundance Film Review: The American Society of Magical Negroes
The American Society of Magical Negroes is a daring, exquisitely crafted film that succeeds on every level, entertaining while educating and, most importantly, giving voice to thoughts and feelings that need to be shared and heard. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Love Me
Love Me follows two artificial intelligences as they navigate the pitfalls of a relationship while learning to understand one another as they become more aware of themselves. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Winner
Winner is the story of Reality Winner, a Capitol Hill misfit who becomes an unlikely whistleblower for exposing Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. … read more
Sundance Film Review: My Old Ass
In My Old Ass, Elliot meets her older self during a mushroom trip the summer before she leaves for college. … read more
Film Review: The Color Purple
While this version of The Color Purple may be a satisfying experience for the most hardcore musical fans, it’s at best a mere footnote to the original’s legacy. … read more
Film Review: Poor Things
Poor Things is far and away the most unique film of the year, though whether it’s among the best is more debatable. … read more
Film Review: Wonka
Wonka delivers enough goofy fun and pure imagination to earn a very enthusiastic recommendation. … read more
The Top 11 Films of 2023
As the year comes to a close and we head toward 2024, Patrick Gibbs returns with his top 11 films of 2023. … read more
Film Review: Leave the World Behind
Leave the World Behind is an engaging and unnerving thriller that moves briskly and is expertly acted, demonstrating Esmail’s skill as a filmmaker. … read more
Film Review: Saltburn
Saltburn is a technically impressive work demonstrating Fennell’s directorial talent and that she’s very much still a promising, young filmmaker. … read more
Film Review: Dream Scenario
Dream Scenario is a strange, cerebral and mesmerizing film that provides laughter, tension and a few solid scares wrapped up in a complex and creative package. … read more
Action Speaks Louder Than Words for John Woo
20 years after his film Paycheck, John Woo is back in America for the holiday-revenge thriller Silent Night, which notably includes no spoken dialogue. … read more
Film Review: Maestro
Maestro is an ambitious piece that doesn’t quite hit every note, yet it’s hard not to be transfixed by the melody. … read more
Film Review: Wish
Even in the age of both The Disney Channel and Disney+ coming right to your home, a new animated feature from the House of Mouse is always a bit of an event. … read more
Film Review: Napoleon
If you can ignore the nagging feeling that the film is once again bringing a level of romanticism to a monster, Napoleon is a sumptuous feast of sight and sound. … read more
Film Review: Next Goal Wins
Next Goal Wins is an enjoyable, offbeat sports comedy that could and should have been a lot better, though it’s not nearly as dreadful as its most vocal detractors would have you believe. … read more
Film Review: May December
May December is a thought-provoking and deeply affecting film that deftly balances tragedy with comedy and stands among the best work of all involved. … read more
Film Review: It’s A Wonderful Knife
If you’re looking to add a bit of an edge to your holiday viewing, It’s A Wonderful Knife might be just the gift you didn’t even know you needed this year. … read more
Film Review: The Killer
The Killer should be required viewing in film schools as it’s practically a two-hour masterclass in directing shot by shot. … read more
Film Review: The Persian Version
The Persian Version is a subversive twist on family comedy that overcomes muddled plotting and mediocre dialogue through boundless enthusiasm. … read more
Film Review: The Marsh King’s Daughter
The Marsh King’s Daughter has just enough of junk-food, “true crime podcast”-meets-When The Crawdads Sing that it will find an audience on streaming. … read more
Film Review: Rustin
Rustin is a touching monument to an often overlooked figure who played a vital part in moving our nation and society forward. … read more
Film Review: Radical
Radical has a strong message about our responsibility to make sure that the most vulnerable in our society are never deprived of hope. … read more
Film Review: Priscilla
Priscilla works well enough as an addendum to Luhrman’s story of Elvis as the victim, giving audiences a necessary glimpse at him as a victimizer. … read more
Film Reviews: Pain Hustlers
Pain Hustlers should not be taken directly into the eyes or brain. Side effects may include nausea, headache and Chris Evans crawling to Marvel Studios. … read more
Film Review: The Mission
The Mission is thought provoking, uncomfortable and thoroughly unforgettable, and you need not ascribe to or reject any theology to become immersed. … read more
Film Review: Killers of the Flower Moon
Killers of the Flower Moon is a brilliant achievement and a sobering reminder of the violence and greed indelibly sewn into the tapestry of American history. … read more
Film Review: Nyad
Nyad ranks among the best sports movies since the original Rocky in 1976, and it fairs even better as an adventure film. … read more
Film Review: The Burial
When it comes to providing a clear objective and protagonist to root for, the courtroom drama is even more fool proof than the sports movie. … read more
Film Review: She Came To Me
She Came to Me is watchable enough thanks to a strong and committed cast, though it’s hardly worth a trip to the theater. … read more
Film Review: Strange Way of Life
Those of you who were starting to panic because nothing new starring Pedro Pascal had been released in the last week can relax now. … read more
Film Review: The Royal Hotel
Kitty Green has a rare gift for making this kind of film, and The Royal Hotel is further proof that she’s one of the most interesting filmmakers of our time. … read more
Film Review: The Creator
The Creator isn’t necessarily going to be remembered as a masterpiece, but it is going to be remembered. … read more
Film Review: Dumb Money
The underdog story is a tried-and-true formula. In the case of Dumb Money, it’s average people vs. the Wall Street power brokers in the ultimate showdown. … read more
Film Review: A Haunting in Venice
A Haunting in Venice won’t be showing up on top-10-best lists, and it’s nothing particularly new, though the latter is hardly a strike against it. … read more
Film Review: Scrapper
Like Georgie herself, Scrapper highly deserves attention and love—this is a movie that you simply don’t want to miss out on. … read more
Film Review: Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose
Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose left me wanting, and it almost feels like a pitch for a movie that isn’t quite finished. … read more
Film Review: The Equalizer 3
The Equalizer 3 Director: Antoine Fuqua Escape Artists In Theaters: 09.01 “Third time’s the charm” rarely applies to film. From The Godfather Part III to Spider-Man 3, the third chapter in a trilogy often holds a dishonorable place in the movie pantheon. The Equalizer 3 manages to hit the mark more often than most threequels,
Film Review: Mutt
Mutt is a terrific film that truly falls into the “must see” category, whether it’s a story that you relate to or perhaps especially if it’s not. … read more
Film Review: The Good Mother
The Good Mother is a serviceable and forgettable thriller that feels rushed and compromised by budget and runtime constraints. … read more
Film Review: The Hill
The human drama in The Hill is so bland that it’s hard to care and far too corny to be taken seriously. … read more
Film Review: Golda
Golda has good intentions in trying to honor a major figure and capture a significant period, yet it misses every opportunity to make that feel interesting. … read more
Film Review: Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle isn’t going to be the breakthrough film that makes the genre skyrocket back to its full glory, but it may help slow the descent just a bit. … read more
Film Review: Strays
Strays didn’t need to reach high to be guilty-pleasure entertainment; it just needed to do more than revel in reaching as low as possible. … read more
Film Review: Afire
Afire is a slow burn, a slight yet engrossing and ultimately moving slice-of-life film not for all tastes. … read more
Dustin Guy Defa Talks The Adults
The Adults, the new film from Writer/Director Dustin Guy Defa, grapples with childhood and identity as it explores the relationships between three adult siblings. … read more
Film Review: The Last Voyage of the Demeter
The Last Voyage of the Demeter is an entertaining, gothic-horror thriller that flirts with greatness only to fall short. … read more
Film Review: Jules
Jules recalls nothing so much as the kind of bargain basement, straight-to-VHS movies of the late ’80s and early ’90s. … read more
Film Review: Dreamin’ Wild
Dreamin’ Wild Director: Bill Pohland River Road Entertainment In Theaters 08.04.2023 Dreamin’ Wild is a unique entry in the musician biopic genre in that it’s not just about telling a story we haven’t heard before; it introduces us to a real band that we only wish we’d known about before now. Dreamin’ Wild stars Oscar
Film Review: Shortcomings
If you’re looking for a small, quirky indie flick that’s never boring, Shortcomings is a film that thankfully fails completely to live up to its title. … read more
Shauna Brand and The Meddlesome Mystery of The Fringe Festival
If you’re looking for family-friendly fun with flair, get a clue and grab a seat for The Advantageous Adventures of Mrs. Meddlesome: Curse of the Tomb. … read more
Film Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is not even close to being definitive, and for hard core fans, the key to enjoying it is to embrace that fact. … read more
Film Review: Earth Mama
Earth Mama is a beautiful film and powerful character study about the sort of person that society judges daily yet rarely makes any effort to understand. … read more
Film Review: Haunted Mansion
Haunted Mansion may struggle to find its footing in theaters, but it has a definite future as traditional October viewing. … read more
Film Review: The Beanie Bubble
The Beanie Bubble accomplishes what it sets out to do, entertaining audiences and telling a story on recognizing a toxic relationship and embracing self worth. … read more
Film Review: Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer is smart, ambitious and has an epic “event movie” quality that combines serious drama with a blockbuster sense of showmanship. … read more
Film Review: They Cloned Tyrone
They Cloned Tyrone is far and away one of the best films of the summer, and it’s a smart, hilarious, action-packed and thought-provoking mindbender. … read more
Film Review: The Miracle Club
The Miracle Club is a disposable film that is far from terrible, though the only real miracle here is that anyone thought this was a story worth telling. … read more
Film Review: The Lesson
The Lesson is a solidly executed film that’s worth seeing once just for Grant’s performance, and some audiences are going to love it. … read more
Film Review: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One.
After reinvigorating the audiences with the exciting Top Gun: Maverick, Tom Cruise has accepted his mission to save us from the box office slump once again. … read more
Nick Bruno and Troy Quane on the Magical Message of...
Nimona, from directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, is a story of transformation that celebrates finding joy in the most magical beings of all: our true selves. … read more
Film Review: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Patrick Gibbs, one of the most stalwart fans of the series, finds Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is a satisfying epilogue. … read more
Film Review: No Hard Feelings
No Hard Feelings is a winning and thoroughly charming comedy that has the potential to be a real crowd-pleaser. … read more
Director Anthony Mandler on Surrounded
A quick glance at Antony Mandler’s IMDb page hardly makes one jump to the thought that he’s the perfect choice to make the next great western. One of the most prolific music video directors in the business, Mandler is more likely to be mentioned in conjunction with Beyoncé or Selena Gomez than with cowboys and
Film Review: Past Lives
Redefining a relationship with a past love has rarely been handled with such a real sense of truth. Past Lives is a beautiful and haunting story. … read more
Film Review: The Flash
The Flash is a disappointing installment to the DC cinematic universe, with some of the worst CGI in recent history. … read more
Film Review: Elemental
Elemental isn’t reinventing the wheel, though it does stand out by being Pixar’s first straight-up romantic comedy. … read more
Traveling to New Orleans, Schmicago and the Planet of the...
Karin Konoval is best known for her role as Maurice the Orangutan in the Planet of the Apes prequels. Her background in musical theater and performance finally came to film with her character “The Barfly” in Schmigadoon! season 2. … read more
Film Review: Sanctuary
If you’re looking to escape the familiar trappings of recycled blockbusters, the darkly comic psychological thriller Sanctuary is a great place to hide out. … read more
Film Review: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
While we are definitely reaching a point where multiverse movies are becoming too common, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is easily among the best of them. … read more
Film Review: The Little Mermaid
While it does manage to be an enjoyable and visually sumptuous summer blockbuster, The Little Mermaid isn’t new or great enough to be a new Disney classic. … read more
Film Review: Master Gardener
While Master Gardener plants strong seeds, what grows is undernourished and never quite as beautiful or impactful as you want it to be. … read more
Film Review: Carmen
Benjamin Millipied’s Carmen is one operatic performance that simply hits too many sour notes to endure. … read more
Tatum Langton on Her One-Woman Show REDEEMher
Storytelling drives Tatum Langton, and following that calling brings her a sense of purpose and peace, driving her toward daring, creative challenges. … read more
Film Review: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
What’s Love Got To With It? caught me by surprise in all the best ways. Arrange some time to see this with the person you love. … read more
Film Review: Polite Society
Polite Society knows exactly what it wants to be and has both the courage to break molds and a director with the skill and vision to cast new ones. … read more
Film Review: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3
Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 is a glorious return to form for the MCU and a satisfying final chapter to arguably the best and most unique Marvel series. … read more
Film Review: Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret
Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret doesn’t just do the book justice—it’s a cinematic masterpiece and easily the best film to come out of Hollywood this year. … read more
Film Review: Showing Up
Showing Up is a quiet, introspective and insightful film in the best tradition of Kelly Reichardt’s finely honed style. … read more
Film Reviews: Chevalier
Chevalier is a haunting film that will inspire people to research Joseph Bologne and his many accomplishments. … read more
Film Review: To Catch A Killer
To Catch A Killer Director: Damián Szifron FilmNation Entertainment and RainMaker Films In Theaters: 04.21 It’s disturbing and unsurprising that movies about mass shooter events have become a subgenre, with entries ranging from powerful artistic works to pure exploitation. The new Shailene Woodley vehicle, To Catch a Killer, isn’t the worst movie to come out
Film Review: Mafia Mamma
If you get involved with organized crime, you’d better know what you’re doing—Catherine Hardwicke doesn’t. … read more
Chris McKay on the Biting Humor of Renfield
The relationship between horror and comedy is on display in every frame of director Chris McKay’s Renfield, a new take on the Dracula legend which finds humor in upping the emotional stakes of the story by introducing using modern sensibilities and ideas about self care. Nicholas Hoult stars as R.M. Renfield, the loyal servant of
Film Review: Chupa
Chupa has its heart firmly in the right place, and as live action, family-friendly entertainment goes, it’s above average. … read more
Film Review: Air
Air is a return to form for Ben Affleck the director and Matt Damon the actor, and hopefully it’s the beginning of a renaissance for both. … read more
A.V. Rockwell on the Connective Tissue of A Thousand and...
The future looks bright for A Thousand And One and for Rockwell, who is filled with stories to tell and has a passion for her art form and her city. … read more
Film Review: Tetris
Tetris is an enjoyable and engrossing way to pass time. All the pieces come together to score some points in Apple’s quest to level up as a top player in film. … read more
Film Review: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a clever and exciting adventure film that actually feels fresh and innovative. … read more
Film Review: John Wick: Chapter 4
John Wick: Chapter 4, the supposed final installment, ranks among the most skillfully executed gun ballet movies ever made. … read more
Film Review: Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is a breath of fresh air, rejuvenating a stagnating genre with fun and cohesive storytelling that lately has been nearly absent. … read more
Film Review: Champions
Champions is made for people looking for an uplifting and entertaining two hours at the movies, and it works nicely on that level. … read more
Film Review: Creed III
Creed III is another formulaic entry in a decades-long series—it’s also a strong example of why it has endured as a cultural touchstone. … read more
Film Review: Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre
Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre is just barely fun enough if you go in with expectations in check, though it’s all been done before in better films. … read more
Film Review: Cocaine Bear
Cocaine Bear is one of the most entertaining movies of the year so far and without question the stupidest film destined to be a cult classic. … read more
Film Review: Emily
Emily is an insightful extrapolation of the life of an Emily Bronte, and it’s likely to be a significant entry in the careers of both its director and its star. … read more
Film Review: Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania
If you’re looking for your Marvel fix, Quantumania will suffice. After all, you never have to wait long for the next one. … read more
Film Review: Your Place or Mine
Your Place Or Mine is the rom-com equivalent of a generic greeting card, and there aren’t even any chocolates included. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Theater Camp
The subject of Theater Camp is ripe for comedy, but it feels painfully forced if it’s not done right. Thankfully, this one more or less succeeds. … read more
Film Review: Living
Living is an uplifting and heartfelt film that is never cloying and never dwelling on its sad moments, provoking plenty of genuine warmth. … read more
Who’s Annie Stars Annie Pisapia, Sophia Peer and The Burger...
Who’s Annie? is a meta, comedic take on Annie Pisapia and Sophia Peer’s real life friendship and working relationship. … read more
Sundance Film Review: When It Melts
Despite the immense talent involved, Sundance film When it Melts is a frustrating failure both as a film and as a statement on an important and timely topic. … read more
Director Toby Genkel on The Amazing Maurice and That Pratchett...
Director Toby Genkel’s new film, The Amazing Maurice, a subversively cynical animated take on the Pied Piper of Hamelin’s story. … read more
Sundance Film Review: STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie
Sundance biopic STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie provokes plenty of emotion without ever stooping to being a manipulative tearjerker. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Blueback
Starring Mia Wasikowska, the Sundance feature Blueback is an entertaining family film that wears its conservationist credentials on its sleeve. … read more
Sundance Film Review: A Little Prayer
The family drama A Little Prayer is a reminder that the once-budding young playwright and filmmaker Angus MacLachlan has come a long way. … read more
Film Review: Flora and Son
If you’re longing for a movie that will make you smile, wipe away your tears and start tapping your toes, Flora and Son hits all the right notes. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Eileen
Eileen is an engaging, pulpy diversion that plays like an old-fashioned dime novel you had never planned to read but find that you can’t put down. … read more
Film Review: Broker
Despite dealing with serious, morally murky and upsetting subjects, Broker presents it all with sweetness and irresistible charm. … read more
Adura Onashile Brings Girl Power to the Screen
Director Adura Onashile talks to SLUG about her Sundance feature, Girl, and the power of drawing a story out of a film through accomplished actors. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Sometimes I Think About Dying
Daisy Ridley adds a humanity that the script struggles to find, making Sometimes I Think About Dying a dry and extremely frustrating experience. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Fancy Dance
Fancy Dance stands as both a cry for help for the victimized and missing and a defiant cry of strength from those who refuse to stop looking for them. … read more
Film Review: A Man Called Otto
A Man Called Otto is an excellent showcase for one of the top movie stars of the past 50 years and a poignant study of loneliness, despair and love. … read more
Noah’s Arc Continues in Leverage: Redemption Season Two
Leverage: Redemption tackles serious themes relevant to the world we live in, and does it in a way that allows the audience to have some fun along the way. … read more
The Top 11 Films of 2022
That’s a wrap on another year of moviegoing, folks, and what a year! Patrick Gibbs presents his picks for The Top 11 Films of 2022, in alphabetical order. … read more
Film Review: Babylon
While Babylon has hilarious moments and visual marvels scattered throughout its mammoth runtime, Chazelle never lets up on bombarding audiences with excess. … read more
Film Review: The Whale
The Whale is an unrelentingly repulsive and degrading film that does everything in its power to treat its lead character as if he were part of a freak show. … read more
Film Review: Emancipation
Given the current climate where too many Americans want to downplay or ignore the history and lingering effects of slavery, Emancipation deserves to be seen. … read more
Jonathan Kasdan On the Magic of Willow
Jonathan Kasdan, writer of Solo: A Star Wars Story, talks about the creative direction of Disney+’s Willow and its Star Wars connection. … read more
Film Review: Avatar: The Way of Water
Avatar: The Way of Water commits all of the major sins of an unnecessary sequel and delivers big disappointment for fans and a smug affirmation for detractors. … read more
Film Review: Empire of Light
Director Sam Mendes returns to his roots with the intimate character drama Empire of Light, the latest entry in the “love letter to the movies” genre. … read more
Film Review: Violent Night
Starring David Harbour, Violent Night is a naughty treat that makes the nice list for those needing an edgier alternative to Hallmark movies. … read more
Film Review: Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams
Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams is a sincere effort, yet it remains an unimaginative, paint-by-numbers piece of filmmaking entry for a generally great director. … read more
Film Review: Strange World
Strange World is a throwback to the popular pulp of the ’40s and ’50s and updated for modern audiences with progressive sensibilities. … read more
Film Review: The Fabelmans
The Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg’s intimate self-portrait, is the film that I’ve been waiting to see for most of my life. … read more
Film Review: Bones and All
It’s fair to say that Luca Guadagnino’s cannibal love story, Bones and All, is the perfect film for the Thanksgiving holiday. … read more
Film Review: She Said
At a time when the #metoo movement is experiencing heartbreaking setbacks, She Said will hopefully serve as a rallying cry—victim’s voices will not be silenced. … read more
Film Review: The Menu
The intriguing new horror comedy The Menu serves up a rich, exquisite premise with plenty of flavor, yet the meal feels frustratingly undercooked. … read more
Film Review: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is an inspired labor of love, a dream project for the director that has been a long time in the making, and manages to stand out in a year that is overflowing with top-tier animated films. … read more
To Leslie, Thanks For Everything, Stephen Root
While you may not know the name Stephen Root off the top of your head, you’ve almost certainly seen him or heard his voice in multiple films or television series over the years. … read more
Film Review: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Whether Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is one of 2022’s hits rests largely on whether the film’s somber tone will lend itself to repeat viewings. … read more
Film Review: Armageddon Time
The semi-autobiographical feature has become a major trend among top-tier directors, and Armageddon Time desperately wants to be counted among them. … read more
Film Review: Enola Holmes 2
The arrival of Enola Holmes 2 signals that the young star has brought the streaming giant the one thing they’ve had trouble finding: a genuine movie franchise. … read more
Film Review: The Banshees of Inisherin
The Banshees of Inisherin is an instant classic, a perfect blend of the absurd and the profound, and it’s likely to be one of the defining films of 2022. … read more
Film Review: Decision To Leave
Decision to Leave is a spellbinding experience, a transportive trip back in time to a different era of filmmaking that brings enough ingenuity and modern edge. … read more
Henry Selick Is Back For More Spooky Fun with Wendell...
Wendell & Wild is another triumph for a Henry Selick, handling weighty topics for thoughtful discussion—grab your popcorn for the movie event of Halloween. … read more
Film Review: All Quiet on the Western Front
All Quiet on the Western Front should be required viewing as a counterpoint for young people who are considering joining the Armed Forces. … read more
Film Review: Till
Whether or not Till is among the most cutting-edge films of the year, it’s a powerful experience with a sense of urgency and truth that demands to be seen. … read more
Film Review: Black Adam
While Black Adam gets pretty dumb at times, viewing it in the right conditions may bring you around—you might even want to see it twice. … read more
Film Review: The School for Good and Evil
A good tween recommendation with themes of superficial ideas of good and evil, The School for Good and Evil is campy & witchy—perfect for the Halloween season. … read more
Film Review: Tár
Todd Field’s dry approach isn’t going to work for everyone, but if you love great music and great acting, Tár hits all the right notes. … read more
Sam Levy On Shooting Confess, Fletch
Murder mystery comedy Confess, Fletch proves to be a perfect fit as Sam Levy’s next feature, and there’s no mystery as to why he chose to do the film. … read more
Julian Higgins Takes The Western Into New Territory
God’s Country is a meticulously crafted, thought-provoking film establishing Julian Higgins as one of the boldest rising talents in the industry today. … read more
Film Review: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a thoroughly entertaining, good-hearted and well-made little gem that deserves to be looked upon with an open mind. … read more
Puffs Brings A Bit of Unauthorized Magic to Trolley Square
Puffs follows the years when “The Boy Who Lived” attended a certain famous wizarding school, told from the point of view of one of the less prominent houses. … read more
Film Review: Amsterdam
While there’s far too much to love about Amsterdam to dismiss it as a failure, the clunky missteps make it difficult to embrace as a true success. … read more
Film Review: Blonde
Blonde’s cast are doing their best with cardboard characterizations, and each of them is failed by bad material in this sleazy, stupid, grease stain of a movie. … read more
Film Review: Hocus Pocus 2
Hocus Pocus 2 is aimed at the audience who knows they want to see it, and it’s a decent, disposable Halloween movie for kids—nothing more or less. … read more
Film Review: The Greatest Beer Run Ever
The Greatest Beer Run Ever provides moderate enjoyment and is aimed at audiences who are used to films pulling their punches. … read more
Film Review: See How They Run
Here’s a clue: don’t walk, run to your local movie house to crack See How They Run wide open—if you’re looking to get sucked into a good story. … read more
Film Review: The Woman King
It took something special to really pull me into that kind of movie again. Specifically, it took Viola Davis, Gina Prince-Bythewood and The Woman King. … read more
Film Review: Clerks III
Let’s be clear that Clerks III is for die-hard, obsessive fans of Kevin Smith, who has made this movie for himself first and fans as a close second. … read more
Invincible Czars Bring New Bite To A 100-Year-Old Vampire Movie
Nosferatu celebrates its centennial this year, and the Salt Lake Film Society is giving you the chance to experience the film as you’ve never seen it before. … read more
Film Review: Pinocchio
A fun and joyful rendition, Pinocchio earns a solid recommendation from SLUG, and you might even find yourself watching it more than once. … read more
Making Great TV is A Walk in the Park for...
The third season of Josh Gad’s Central Park on AppleTV+ brings plenty of laughs and show-stopping musical numbers while also tackling serious subjects. … read more
Film Review: Gigi & Nate
The performances in Gigi & Nate range from broadly stereotypical to awkwardly wooden, and the only character with any kind of nuance is the monkey. … read more
Film Review: Burial
While not a bad film and worthy of a rental, Burial is simply not the movie that it had the potential to be. … read more
Film Review: Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul
Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul is a decent film with enough energetic charm and skill behind it to highlight the promising talents of its cast. … read more
Film Review: Breaking
Breaking falls short of a modern classic, yet it remains an involving film that is easily my pick for the best new film opening this weekend. … read more
Film Review: Three Thousand Years of Longing
In Three Thousand Years of Longing, George Miller may have earned the clout to make something utterly flat, but audiences have the right to a better time. … read more
Michelle Danner Talks The Runner
If there’s anyone who knows a thing or two about the correlation between art and education, it’s Michelle Danner, the director of the new thriller, The Runner. … read more
James Morosini On The Emotional Truth of I Love My...
I Love My Dad is an equal mix of outrageously hilarious and deeply touching, representing a breakthrough for director James Morosini as an ambitious artist. … read more
Film Review: Fall
Director Scott Mann certainly knows how to stage exciting action but Fall is a stupid movie, though when it’s just having fun with its own silliness, it’s actually quite an entertaining one. … read more
Dale Dickey and Wes Studi Carry A Love Song In...
Dale Dickey and Wes Studi of A Love Song speak eloquently about the nature of love and loneliness, often without saying a word at all. … read more
Jono McCloud on the Lessons Learned From My Old School
My Old School, a documentary feature from director Jono McCloud, chronicles the tale of the greatest “remember when?” high school stories of all time. … read more
Simon Pegg Talks Isolation, Mental Health and Luck
In Simon Pegg’s latest project, Luck, the new film from Skydance Animation and AppleTV+, we learn how he’s made it all possible: Pegg has nine lives. … read more
Film Review: Prey
For the first time in 35 years, the Predator franchise has given us a movie that knows exactly what it wants to be and delivers on its promising potential. … read more
Film Review: Thirteen Lives
Howard has made a straightforward chronicle of the events and the people who came together to make a miracle happen in Thirteen Lives. … read more
The Zion King Returns Home with Jewtah
Jeremy Rishe, writer and star of Jewtah, grew up in Utah in the ’80s and ’90s, raised in Mormon-centric culture, as a practicing Jew. … read more
Film Review: They/Them
As a slasher movie, They/Them is far below average. As a psychological horror movie, it simply paints with strokes that are far too broad to be truly effective. … read more
Film Review: Resurrection
Whether it’s your cup of tea or not, Resurrection, the provocative psychological thriller from director Andrew Semens, is certainly unique. … read more
Utah Women Make Their Voices Heard in Monologues From A...
Monologues From A Movement, an original stage play written by Amanda Caraway and directed by Cami Rozanas, is all about giving Utah women a chance to be heard. … read more
Film Review: DC League of Super-Pets
Animated film DC League of Super-Pets is a pure gold film—it’s the superhero movie that we need and the one that our kids deserve. … read more
Film Review: Vengeance
Comedy thriller Vengeance provides a sharp, entertaining film with a stellar cast and quirky, subversive sense of humor. … read more
Looking Beneath The Surface with Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Oliver Jackson-Cohen
Gugu Mbatha-Raw has had a career full of memorable experiences; now she stars in Surface, a series that explores memories, and what happens when they are gone. … read more
Film Review: Marcel The Shell With Shoes On
Marcel The Shell With Shoes On proves that sometimes the most insightful films about humanity don’t need to be about humans. … read more
Film Review: The Gray Man
The Gray Man, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, is a ’90s throwback featuring classic cringey, cartoonish dialogue, and fast-paced chase scenes. … read more
Film Review: Where The Crawdads Sing
Where The Crawdads Sing, the screen adaptation of Delia Owens’ almost ludicrously bestselling novel, wasn’t exactly made with me in mind. … read more
Film Review: Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank moves quickly enough to keep kids entertained, and my nephews had a lot of fun with it, which meant that I did too. … read more
Film Review: Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is a movie that makes you feel honestly happy, inspired and appreciative, a beautiful fairy tale to share with people you care about … read more
Film Review: Persuasion
Carrie Cracknell brings a tasteful and modern adaptation to Jane Austen’s final novel. Persuasion offers a creative new spin on a classic. … read more
How Chris Williams Conquered The Sea Beast
When Chris Williams pitched the concept for The Sea Beast to Netflix Animation, the streaming giant was sold on his creative vision. … read more
Dennis Lehane and Paul Walter Hauser on Black Bird
Dennis Lehane, who adapted the true-crime miniseries Black Bird for television, speaks to the difficulties in adapting nonfiction stories for the screen. … read more
Emma Holly Jones on Mr. Malcolm’s List
Emma Holly Jones, the producer and director of Mr. Malcom’s List, was born and raised in England and grew up watching BBC adaptations of Austen’s books. … read more
Film Review: Thor: Love and Thunder
Thor: Love and Thunder was a creative shot in the musclebound arm for Marvel, and it’s the first time since Endgame that I feel the need to see a Marvel twice. … read more
Film Review: Minions: The Rise of Gru
Minions: The Rise of Gru benefits from centering Steve Carrell, though there’s simply no getting around the fact that the whole schtick is wearing thin. … read more
Film Review: The Forgiven
The Forgiven features unforgettable performances and an apparently shallow outlook that deceptively hides layers of intriguing ideas for audiences to peel away. … read more
Film Review: Official Competition
Official Competition is a clever comedy I can easily see becoming a beloved favorite among the target audience of cinephiles, the creative and artistic. … read more
Series Review: Only Murders in the Building: Season 2
I have no clue as to just how many good seasons Only Murders in the Building will have, but if they are even half as entertaining, I’ll be watching. … read more
Film Review: The Phantom of the Open
The Phantom of the Open left me feeling invigorated and rejuvenated, and it’s on par with some of the best films of the genre. … read more
Home is Where the Heart is For Davey Fest
The idea of kicking off the 2022 edition of the Davey Fest with a screening of My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell it To felt right to the Cuartas brothers. … read more
Film Review: Elvis
As a spectacle and an experience, Luhrman’s Elvis is satisfying and invigorating, a rhinestone-studded summer extravaganza done with skill and love. … read more
Interview: Makeup Designer Donald Mowat
Donald Mowat, the Oscar-nominated makeup designer on Dune, No Time To Die and Moon Knight, grew up to be the guy who makes our heroes look good. … read more
Film Review: The Lost Girls
The Lost Girls, a retelling of Peter Pan from a female perspective, is a treatise on trying to avoid growing up that merely left me trying to avoid throwing up. … read more
Film Review: Lightyear
Lightyear proves itself more of a children’s sci-fi action movie than a Toy Story prequel. The memorable cast make Lightyear an out-of-this-world summer flick. … read more
Film Review: Benediction
There’s much to admire in Terence Davies’ newest film, and the best elements of Benediction easily carry it through the weaker moments. … read more
Film Review: Jurassic World Dominion
Jurassic World Dominion is a bit of a mess, and while I enjoyed it a lot, I simply can’t call it a genuinely good film and keep any credibility as a critic. … read more
Film Review: Watcher
Watcher is a thoroughly satisfying suspense movie that proves that a film doesn’t have to take an in-your-face approach to get inside your head. … read more
Interview: Love, Algorithms and Ted Lasso Intersect in Pragma
Pragma, a short film from Lucy Heath, Ellie Heydon and Phil Dunster, is a clever British comedy making a world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 10. … read more
Film Review: Hustle
If you’re looking for something without CGI but aren’t quite in the mood for challenging arthouse fare, Hustle scores enough points to make it a winning choice. … read more
Film Review: Crimes of the Future
Crimes of the Future is definitely not for all tastes, though fans of Cronenberg, and lovers of the macabre, will likely find it to be a must-see. … read more
Interview: The Politics, Corruption and Comedy of 18½
18½ is a wild and memorable comedy reminiscent of the classic subversive satires of Robert Altman with a freshness that’s all its own. … read more
Film Review: Interceptor
There are much worthier ways to waste your time and brain cells than Interceptor and too many superior steaming options to make it worth giving a chance. … read more
Film Review: Top Gun: Maverick
When you’re planning your summer moviegoing fun, I would strongly suggest making Top Gun: Maverick your top priority, and yes, see it in IMAX. … read more
Series Review: Stranger Things: Season 4, Volume 1
Volume 1 will keep you hooked all the way to the end of episode seven. The bad news, of course, is that we have to wait until July for Season 4: Volume 2. … read more
Film Review: Bob’s Burgers Movie
The Bob’s Burgers Movie is a piece of comfort food moviegoing that I didn’t even know I needed right now. … read more
The World is a Dangerous Playground in Eskil Vogt’s The...
Patrick Gibbs interviews Eskil Voigt, the writer and director of The Innocents, about how his film about children with super powers came to fruition. … read more
Film Review: Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers
Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is an eye-popping, gut-busting knee slapper that is likely to be among the most satisfying films of the summer movie season. … read more
Film Review: Men
Men had me spellbound from beginning to end, but even for those who are familiar with Garland’s work, it’s a film that requires patience and effort. … read more
Film Review: Senior Year
Senior Year is crass and stupid, and yet there are just enough working elements to make the film something you’ll have an easy enough time streaming once. … read more
Glenn Close and Niv Sultan on Tehran: Season 2
Patrick Gibbs interviews Niv Sultan and Glenn Close of the Apple TV+ series Tehran about the show and Close joining the series’ second season. … read more
Film Review: The Duke
The Duke is the kind of film that gives feel-good movies a good name, and it’s proof that even if crime doesn’t pay, it can be incredibly entertaining. … read more
Film Review: Pompo: The Cinephile
The fan base of the original manga would indicate there’s an audience for Pompo: The Cinephile, but its appeal and audience feel specific and niche. … read more
Film Review: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness felt far more like a product I was being sold than an actual movie. This just isn’t cinema. … read more
Film Review: Firebird
There’s something important to be said in Firebird, and hopefully a story on its subject will be put in more skilled hands and inspired minds next time around. … read more
John Madden Takes on Love, War and Storytelling in Operation...
For John Madden, who is in his fourth decade directing for the screen, Operation Mincemeat is a noteworthy entry in a magnificent career. … read more
Film Review: Memory
Martin Campbell clearly doesn’t have another classic left in him, but anything else would make a less pathetic last entry in the veteran director’s filmography. … read more
LDS History Meets Murder Mystery in Under The Banner of...
Under The Banner of Heaven serves as a sobering reminder that, 38 years later, wounds left by the series-inspiring Lafferty case are not likely to go away any time soon. … read more
Showrunner Jared Stern Talks Green Eggs and Ham: The Second...
Jared Stern has so much to do now, with shows and movies to make. But 10 years spent on Green Eggs and Ham still takes the cake. … read more
Film Review: The Bad Guys
The Bad Guys isn’t anything particularly new or innovative, but it’s solid entertainment taken on its own merits and worth a rental at the very least. … read more
Film Review: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is silly, enjoyable proof that the newly debt-free Nic Cage can finally be more selective about his projects again. … read more
Film Review: The Northman
Despite the arthouse cred the Eggers name brings, The Northman didn’t stray far enough from Hollywood conventions for my taste. … read more
Film Review: Aline
Aline hits one false note after another, and as much as I’m loath to stoop to such a cheap reference, yes, my hate will go on and on. … read more
Film Review: Les Olympiades (Paris, 13th District)
Paris, 13th District borders on trifling, which is disappointing given this comes from misguided choices rather than a lack of substantive ideas. … read more
Series Review: A Very British Scandal
A Very British Scandal is sordid without being trashy, but it’s very definitely aimed at those who enjoy watching painful drama unfold. … read more
Film Review: Ambulance
Ambulance works only in the sense that the title tells its whole story: a loud, irritating noise warning us to get out of the way, letting it pass us by. … read more
Film Review: Everything Everywhere All At Once
Everything Everywhere All At Once is rewarding for those interested in a ride through multiple universes and a tender exploration of the fragile human psyche. … read more
Simchas and Sorrows Finds Comedy In Relationships and Religion
How far would you go to win the approval of your future in-laws? This question is at the heart of Simchas and Sorrows, a new film from Genevieve Adams … read more
Film Review: Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
The Secrets of Dumbledore acted as a port key back to my happy place, enough so that I was able to forgive the shortcomings to a point that I will see it again. … read more
Film Review: The Bubble
Judd Apatow’s tendency to believe that too much is never enough is frustrating to say the least, giving The Bubble a feeling of half-baked indulgence. … read more
Film Review: Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood
Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood is a snapshot that revels in the nostalgia of anyone who dreamed of flying into space alongside the original astronauts … read more
Series Review: Moon Knight
Moon Knight stands as something new and exciting in a way that nothing since WandaVision has been able to accomplish. … read more
Film Review: The Lost City
There should be no illusions that you’re going into anything great here. The Lost City too often undermines its own potential by playing things too broadly. … read more
Film Review: Infinite Storm
Infinite Storm is too grounded in reality to be thrilling escapist action but far too labored and maudlin in its quieter character moments to work as a drama. … read more
Film Review: Windfall
I consider Jessie Plemons to be one the finest actors working today, which is all the more reason to resent Windfall for wasting his talent and my time. … read more
The Unsinkable Teemu Nikki and Jani Pösö
Patrick Gibbs speaks with Teemu Nikki and Jani Pösö about how their film The Blind Man Who Did Not Want To See Titanic represents a blind perspective. … read more
Film Review: The Outfit
The Outfit is the most entertaining and satisfying film to hit theaters this year so far and a fine addition to the mobster genre. … read more
Oscar Nominee Martin Strange-Hansen Has A Lot On His Mind
Strange-Hansen is an artist whose talent and vision continue to leave a mark everywhere in the filmmaking world, because Martin always has a story on his mind. … read more
Film Review: The Adam Project
The Adam Project is a can’t-miss event of family fun that isn’t going to be on any top ten lists, but it gave Patrick Gibbs exactly what he wanted. … read more
Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja Talks Life After Yang and Working With...
Patrick Gibbs interviews 10-year-old actor and performer Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja on her experience working with Colin Farrel in After Yang. … read more
Film Review: Gold
Gold feels like an impressive demo reel for both Efron and Hayes than it does like a substantive film that will leave any kind of lasting impression. … read more
Film Review: Turning Red
Turning Red, Pixar’s latest, is an escape from the worrisome state of the world right now, a perfect ray of sunshine that couldn’t have come at a better time. … read more
Film Review: Huda’s Salon
Huda’s Salon doesn’t provide any easy answers, nor does it try to do so, but it does offer a provocative look at the realities of living in occupied territory … read more
Film Review: The Batman
Patrick Gibbs admired The Batman more than he enjoyed it, predicting a polarizing reaction that puts critics, fanboys and the public all in different camps. … read more
Film Review: Studio 666
With a built-in, devoted fan base through its Foo Fighters connection, Studio 666 is almost certain to become an instant cult favorite. … read more
Film Review: Cyrano
As Patrick Gibbs watched Joe Wright’s new musical film adaption, Cyrano, the only feelings he experienced were irritation and confusion. … read more
Dante Basco On Directing his Fabulous Filipino Brothers
For actor Dante Basco, who played Rufio in Spielberg’s Hook, growing up has meant moving from in front of the camera to sitting in the director’s chair. … read more
Review: Space Force: Season 2
It’s with mixed feelings that Patrick Gibbs says that he’ll be surprised if the entire Space Force mission isn’t soon scrapped. … read more
Film Review: Uncharted
The wait for the film adaptation of popular video games series Uncharted has certainly paid off, as the finished product is genuinely damn near adequate. … read more
Josephine Decker and Grace Kaufman Talk The Sky Is Everywhere
If you’re looking for a Valentine’s film, consider The Sky is Everywhere, the new film adapted from the young adult novel by Jandy Nelson. … read more
Film Review: Death on the Nile
Mystery fans and anyone who loves river-filling quantities of champagne should find Death on the Nile to be a trip worth taking. … read more
The Jim Henson Company Goes Back To Fraggle Rock
It’s time to dance your cares away and let the music play, because the ’80s classic Fraggle Rock has returned in an exciting reboot. … read more
Film Review: Blacklight
Blacklight has the kind of “let’s get this done quickly so we can move onto the next one” feel of Clint Eastwood’s most disposable ’90s films. … read more
Rob Paulsen Talks Animaniacs, Ninja Turtles and Winning His Battle...
While you may have never even heard his name, chances are you’ve heard Rob Paulson’s voice many times in many different forms. … read more
Film Review: Moonfall
While Moonfall only gets stupider as it goes, the further it falls into idiocy the harder it is not to have a bit of fun. … read more
The Event is A Short Film You’ll Want To Make...
Patrick Gibbs speaks with Frank Mosley and Hugo De Sousa, the Co-directors of the 2022 Slamdance short film The Event. … read more
Ben Schwartz and More on Why The Afterparty Is The...
“How can I survive going to my high school reunion?” The Afterparty answers that question with an all-star cast. … read more
Iron Family Is The Moviegoing Experience of Two Lifetimes
Iron Family is a Slamdance documentary that inspires us to reflect on our own triumphs and challenges through the story of the Faries family. … read more
Every Day in Kaimukī Rides A Wave of Authenticity
SLUG Contributing Writer Patrick Gibbs talks to Every Day in Kaimukī director Alika Tengan about the inspiration for his film and more. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Call Jane
Call Jane is a hell of a good movie, the first potential hit of the festival this year and one that’s sure to start a lot of discussion. … read more
Sundance Film Review: You Won’t Be Alone
Goran Stolevski’s debut feature, You Won’t Be Alone, is an adequate if unexceptional film with scattered moments that come alive. … read more
I Didn’t See You There Presents A Different Point of...
I Didn’t See You There is a captivating look at Reid Davenport’s life, going about his day and looking at the world from his point of view. … read more
Film Review: The King’s Daughter
The King’s Daughter is enjoyable when it’s frivolous entertainment but insufferable when it gets lost in heavy-handed political diatribe. … read more
Girl Picture Is A Clear, Crisp Snapshot of Real Teenage...
Girl Picture is a fresh and unique piece of cinematic storytelling that won’t soon be forgotten by those who made it or anyone who sees it. … read more
Denzel Washington and Corey Hawkins on The Tragedy of Macbeth...
For Corey Hawkins and Denzel Washington, working with Joel Coen in his screen version of Macbeth was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. … read more
Sundance Film Review: When You Finish Saving the World
Jesse Eisenberg’s When You Finish Saving The World is a worthy effort that could have been something special, but it’s just kind of there. … read more
Film Review: Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
The wholly unnecessary fourth installment, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, may actually be the most entertaining. … read more
Long Line of Ladies Is More Than Just Another Period...
Rayka Zehtabchi and Shaandiin Tome knew that the story of the Ihuk flower dance was one they were looking to tell with Long Line of Ladies. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Good Luck To You, Leo Grande
Good Luck To You, Leo Grande may be a bit uninhibited for some, but it’s a thought-provoking look at human sexuality and relationships. … read more
Sundance Film Review: God’s Country
God’s Country is a great piece of storytelling and a rewarding cinematic experience; it ranks among the best features at Sundance 2022. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Emily the Criminal
Emily The Criminal is a breakthrough for its writer-director, John Patton Ford, but an even bigger one for its star, Aubrey Plaza. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Dual
Riley Sterns’ Dual stops short of being a classic, but it’s a winning comedy that thrives thanks to its leading lady, Emma Thompson. … read more
Brian and Charles Brings a Whimsical Tale of Friendship and...
David Earl, Jim Archer and Chris Hayward discuss the path toward the creation of their zany AI comedy, Brian and Charles. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Babysitter
Babysitter is creative, charming and provocative, even if not everything that director Monia Cokri throws at the wall is quite able to stick. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Am I Ok?
Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne’s Am I Ok? is a great movie; it’s heartwarming and at times heartbreaking but always heartfelt. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Alice
There’s no question that Alice is a rousing and thrilling moviegoing experience, but there’s a lot of question as to whether it should be. … read more
Sundance Film Review: After Yang
After Yang is an involving and ambitious film that’s well worth seeing, and it raises a lot of very interesting philosophical questions. … read more
Sundance Film Review: A Love Song
A Love Song is exactly the kind of diamond-in-the-rough that makes the Sundance Film Festival something that I look forward to each year. … read more
Film Review: A Hero
A Hero, the new film from acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, takes direct aim at the issue of right vs. wrong. … read more
Film Review: The 355
The best thing about The 355 is that it’s fast moving, and the cast is an impressive bunch, but the 355 should have been a lot better. … read more
Film Review: The Legend of La Llorona
The only thing that is actually scary about The Legend of La Llorona is that, somehow, it got made and you can watch it. … read more
The Top 11 Films of 2021
As we prepare for a new year and new movies, Patrick Gibbs presents his picks for the Top 11 films of 2021. … read more
Film Review: Licorice Pizza
Licorice Pizza is delightful, if a bit aimless, and it’s expertly done, but the central relationship leaves viewers with too many concerns. … read more
Review: Cobra Kai: Season 4
Cobra Kai is the Wendy’s of television: it’s junk fast food, but it’s really good junk fast food that goes down easily and is a nice treat. … read more
Film Review: The King’s Man
The King’s Man is not one of the great prequels of all time, but it’s a big step up from the bad taste that Golden Circle left. … read more
Film Review: The Matrix Resurrections
If you’re going into The Matrix Resurrections expecting an experience that matches the original, prepare to be brutally crushed like an ant. … read more
Franka Potente Directs Aisling Franciosi and Kathy Bates in a...
Franka Potente may be behind the camera this time around, but in front of it, Aisling Franciosi and Academy Award-winner Kathy Bates help shape Home. … read more
Film Review: Spider-Man: No Way Home
Spider-Man: No Way Home ranks as one of the most entertaining MCU entries and is perhaps even one of the most satisfying superhero movies ever made. … read more
Film Review: Nightmare Alley
Guilliermo del Toro knows how to make a beguiling visual feast, and Nightmare Alley is a dark, titillating journey into an unsettling world. … read more
Film Review: Being the Ricardos
Being the Ricardos never quite steps out of its predecessor’s looming shadow, but it’s an enjoyable film that does right by its subjects. … read more
Film Editor Úna Ní Dhonghaíle on Her Experiences with Branagh...
Úna Ní Dhonghaíle has had a remarkable career, but in cutting Belfast, she got a chance to help one of her idols shape his life into art. … read more
Film Review: Don’t Look Up
Don’t Look Up is the kind of satire that will leave smart viewers thinking about it when they least expect it for years and decades to come. … read more
Film Review: West Side Story
Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story is essentially the same as the original film, but with a more nuanced and timely vision. … read more
Film Review: C’mon C’mon
Everything about Mike Mills’ C’mon C’mon, from the gorgeous black-and-white cinematography to the editing, is pure perfection. … read more
Composer Carter Burwell’s Bright Manhattan Mornings and Dark Scottish Nights
The prolific composer Carter Burwell’s filmography spans 37 years, but this icon of film music never planned on composing for movies. … read more
Film Review: Bruised
Even if it lacks inspiration, Halle Berry approaches her directorial debut, Bruised, with workman-like precision and confidence. … read more
The Many Loves of Eleanor Coppola
Eleanor Coppola explores love, the connections that we make and the bonds we share in her new anthology film, Love is Love is Love. … read more
Film Review: Julia
Julia may not be the most life-changing or insightful documentary of the year, but it’s elegant, sweet and baked to perfection. … read more
Film Review: House of Gucci
House of Gucci follows Patrizia Reggiani’, an outsider from humble beginnings, in her marriage to Maurizio Gucci. … read more
From SLC To MCU: VFX Editor Hannah Long’s Super Career
By Patrick Gibbs pinkwombatcinema@gmail.com Every year at the Sundance Film Festival, Utah becomes a destination spot for filmmakers. For Hannah Long, a Lead Visual Effects Editor for Marvel Studios, Salt Lake is where it all began. “My family moved to Salt Lake when I was one year old,” Long says. “My dad‘s a … a
Film Review: King Richard
King Richard is inspiring and well worth seeing. It’s a return to form for Smith and a good film if taken on its own merits. … read more
Film Review: Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Ghostbusters: Afterlife is funny, exciting, suspenseful, heartfelt and is made with an equal combination of passion and skill. … read more
Film Review: The Power of the Dog
The Power of the Dog takes some time to digest, but it’s an unforgettable and challenging story that challenges the western genre. … read more
Film Review: Encanto
Encanto is a mesmerizing and insightful work of art that has a lot to say while retaining universal themes and characters. … read more
Film Review: Belfast
Belfast is among the very best films of 2021 and beyond, a triumphant and transportive cinematic experience. … read more
Film Review: Red Notice
Red Notice is a breezy, energetic romp that is easily one of the most briskly entertaining films of the fall season. … read more
Film Review: Spencer
Spencer may take a bit of time to digest and lack subtlety, but it ranks among the most interesting screen portrayals of historical figures. … read more
Film Review: Finch
Finch is a buddy road movie that isn’t always a smooth ride, however it certainly is one of the most involving major releases of the year. … read more
Film Review: Language Lessons
Language Lessons is an antidote to blockbuster burnout by breaking cinematic ground without throwing its creative innovations in your face. … read more
Film Review: Eternals
Eternals is likely to be the most polarizing MCU entry in some time, because it doesn’t fit easily inside a mold. … read more
Film Review: The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening...
The French Dispatch offers plenty of wonderful elements and a unique artistic voice that is likely to please most fans. … read more
Film Review: Last Night in Soho
Last Night in Soho works well enough to forgive its flaws, but it’s more a mildly psychedelic niche movie than a great film. … read more
Film Review: The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain is an imperfect but worthy effort that mirrors its own subject in that it can’t seem to come together. … read more
Film Review: The Harder They Fall
The Harder They Fall is a big, bold, badass blast of fun and it’s one of the most satisfying gourmet popcorn flicks of the year. … read more
Film Review: Halloween Kills
Halloween Kills is a crass, stupid and morally repugnant mess of a movie that should have been called Halloween Kills Time. … read more
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Friends Talk Creating Wolfboy and The Everything...
Wolfboy and the Everything Factory is a charming adventure that is sure to spark the imaginations of children and adults alike. … read more
Film Review: Dune
Is Denis Villenueve’s epic adaptation of the seminal science fiction novel, Dune the predestined box office savior that has been prophesied? … read more
Film Review: Ron’s Gone Wrong
Ron’s Gone Wrong is pure joy, and it’s the kind of film that encapsulates everything there is to love about the moviegoing experience. … read more
Noah Wyle Talks Pulling Off Cons With The Pros on...
It’s been almost 9 years since the hit series Leverage ended its successful run, but as Yogi Berra said, “it ain’t over till it’s over.” … read more
Film Review: The Last Duel
The Last Duel explores justice, abuse, cowardice, bravery and responsibility and examines what honor means in real life and on screen. … read more
Film Review: I’m Your Man
I’m Your Man is a romantic dramedy with substance, charm and a sad sense of the frustrations of love, relationships and life goals. … read more
Film Review: Lamb
Lamb is a unique and deeply atmospheric film that stands out as unlike anything that’s hit theaters all year. … read more
Cinematographer Sam Levy Talks Mayday, a Feminist Fantasy That is...
Mayday is a unique film and, hopefully, the first of many feature-length collaborations between Sam Levy and Karen Cinorre. … read more
Film Review: Venom: Let There Be Carnage
Venom: Let There Be Carnage ranks far below Daredevil and Ghost Rider for Marvel-inspired movies and ranks among the worst films of the year. … read more
Film Review: The Addams Family 2
The Addams Family 2 snaps along with a certain degree of rhythm and has just enough of a sense of morbid fun to be surprisingly watchable. … read more
Film Review: No Time To Die
Not Time To Die is worth the wait, and it’s an exit that is worthy of the most interesting version of Bond that we’ve seen to date. … read more
Film Review: The Many Saints of Newark
The Many Saints of Newark has some terrific lead performances, including some of Ray Liotta’s best work in decades. … read more
Film Review: The Guilty
The Guilty is a satisfying thriller that dares to tackle some timely themes. Kudos to Gyllenhaal for a performance which anchors the film. … read more
Film Review: Dear Evan Hansen
Dear Evan Hansen gets a few points for trying to address weighty issues, but it’s one high school movie that simply doesn’t make the grade. … read more
Leah Harvey Lays the Foundation For a New Take on...
It doesn’t take a psychohistorian to foresee a bright future ahead for Leah Harvey, who stars as Salvor Hardin in sci-fi series Foundation. … read more
Film Review: The Starling
The Starling isn’t entirely without merit. But it’s as artificial and weak as big-budget Hollywood dramedies get. … read more
Film Review: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
There’s no question in my mind that Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will be embraced by many as a modern classic. … read more
Film Review: Cry Macho
Cry Macho isn’t the best swan song Clint Eastwood could ever hope for, but it would be far from the worst. … read more
Film Review: The Alpinist
The Alpinist does its best to follow Leclerc as he travels from peak to peak with no cameras, no rope and no margin for error. … read more
Film Review: The Lost Leonardo
Unravelling the hidden agendas of the world’s richest men, this film reveals how truth became secondary to vested interests. … read more
Film Review: The Eyes of Tammy Faye
For a film about people who profess to be instruments of God, there is surprisingly little revelation on display in The Eyes of Tammy Faye. … read more
Film Review: The Card Counter
The Card Counter is moody and depressing at times, but it has a lot to say and kept me so glued to the screen that I barely blinked. … read more
Filmmaker Nick Fituri Scown Takes on Laughter and Tears with...
Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11 is a unique look at the first defining moment of the century and it’s a poignant portrait of the human spirit. … read more
Film Review: Small Engine Repair
Small Engine Repair is a remarkable film—a darkly comedic, nail-bitingly tense and, at times, emotional work that defies easy categorization. … read more
Film Review: Worth
When Worth kicks into gear, it’s a moving and interesting story that captures both a collective and individual experience. … read more
Film Revew: Cinderella
Cinderella feels more like Sunday-night television than a movie, but it’s just enjoyable enough, and well-intentioned enough, to get a pass. … read more
Series Review: Only Murders in the Building
Only Murders in the Building has an old-fashioned murder-mystery-in-a-modern-setting feel that’s a lot of fun. … read more
Film Review: Candyman
Candyman is dark, bloody and disturbing, and it reminded me how good horror can be when it’s got the right hook. … read more
Film Review: Not Going Quietly
Not Going Quietly isn’t always easy to watch, but it’s a lot more hopeful than you might expect, and never manipulative. … read more
Film Review: Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is filled with kung fu and narrow escapes and is exhilarating and insanely fun. … read more
Film Review: Together
Together is an imperfect film that isn’t going to work for all audiences, but it’s sincere effort that is both upsetting and cathartic. … read more
Film Review: The Protégé
If you really miss ’90s action flicks, The Protégé is going to be well worth a $6.99 rental when it hits digital. … read more
Film Review: The Night House
The Night House is likely too smart for mainstream horror fans and too dumb for the more discerning and thoughtful ones. … read more
CODA’s Cinematic Journey of Authenticity, Communication and Love
Siân Heder’s acclaimed feature CODA has been an emotional journey not just for the filmmaker and cast but for audiences, as well. … read more
Film Review: Beckett
In all honesty, Beckett is short and fairly watchable, but it’s just such a puzzlingly unexceptional experience. … read more
Film Review: Annette
Annette is that rare film that may well end up on a fair number of 10-best lists and an equal number of 10-worst. … read more
Film Review: Free Guy
All in all, while Free Guy is definitely light blockbuster fare, it’s one of the most enjoyable blockbusters of the summer. … read more
Film Review: Nine Days
Existential yet grounded in harsh reality at the same time, emotionally charged and deeply moving, Nine Days is everything that art should be. … read more
Film Review: The Suicide Squad
The Suicide Squad is filled with impressive visuals and has a strong sense of style. When the comedy is working, it’s not half bad. … read more
Film Review: Vivo
Vivo comes in a year when we’ve already had a number of truly great animated films. It’s a delightful experience that’s easily rewatchable. … read more
Film Review: The Green Knight
The Green Knight is a triumphant film, and easily one of the most artistically and intellectually satisfying of the summer. … read more
Cinematographers Look At The Big Picture: Moviemaking and Moviegoing in...
If there’s anyone out there who can shine a light on the workings of a film set in this era, it’s a film’s director of photography. … read more
Film Review: Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise is a bit of a bumpy ride, but the lighthearted sense of adventure overcomes all obstacles and makes an enjoyable summer movie. … read more
Film Review: Stillwater
Stillwater does drag in places, but it’s an interesting story that didn’t go where I expected it to go, focusing on characters over intrigue. … read more
Film Review: Old
Old is a nauseating spectacle that left me feeling angry, assaulted and distraught. M. Night Shyamalan continues his streak of mediocrity. … read more
Film Review: Val
The Val Kilmer biopic Val is an emotional journey that’s rewarding and a bittersweet portrait of what it means to live and love as an artist. … read more
Film Review: Joe Bell
Joe Bell is a well-intentioned, fact-based film that has its strengths but just doesn’t live up to the sum of its parts. … read more
Film Review: Space Jam: A New Legacy
Space Jam: A New Legacy is a loud, frenetic mess, but as a family night out, it’s almost adequate on a certain level. … read more
Carlos López Estrada Showcases Poetry in Motion Pictures with Summertime
Summertime, a new show from Carlos López Estrada, follows the stories of 27 young spoken-word poets over a single, sweltering summer’s day. … read more
Film Review: Gunpowder Milkshake
Gunpowder Milkshake is well served as Netflix fare, feeling a bit too slight for theaters but well worth viewing at home. … read more
Film Review: Pig
There’s a certain entertainment value in the schlock that Cage specializes in these days, and Pig promised to be one of craziest. … read more
Schmigadoon! Brings Mystical Musical Magic to AppleTV+
Schmigadoon! is is an energetic mix of old-fashioned musical fun with modern sensibilities, making it an entertaining highlight of the summer. … read more
Damn These Heels! 2021: Utah’s Top LGTBTQ+ Film Festival Is...
Resilience is nothing new for the Damn These Heels Queer Film Festival, which has been running strong and fighting the odds for 18 years. … read more
Writer-Director Sasha Collington has Love Type D and a Passion...
Love Type D is a refreshingly unique film that provokes laughter throughout, though there’s more to it than just comedy. … read more
Film Review: The Tomorrow War
The Tomorrow War should be fairly popular with those who miss ’80s James Cameron, or at least ’90s Roland Emmerich. … read more
Hulu Documentary Nasrin Tells a Powerful Story of Heroism, Hope...
Nasrin tells the gripping story of Nasrin Sotoudeh, a courageous human rights lawyer and key figure in Iran’s women’s rights movement. … read more
Film Review: The Boss Baby: Family Business
While sticking to the original’s formula, The Boss Baby: Family Business is still an enjoyable family movie that comes dressed for success. … read more
Film Review: America: The Motion Picture
America: The Motion Picture builds a bridge between idiocy and brilliance, even if it’s constantly running back and forth. … read more
Film Review: The Ice Road
As it stands, Jonathan Hensleigh’s The Ice Road is moderately enjoyable but never rises much above that kind of faint-praise territory. … read more
Film Review: Black Widow
You were either going to see Black Widow or you weren’t but I would rank it among Marvel’s most interesting films. … read more
Film Review: F9: The Fast Saga
F9: The Fast Saga is a hard movie to sum up for a review because it’s so big, loud and dumb that it makes Face/Off look like a documentary. … read more
Film Review: Good On Paper
Good on Paper proves to be aptly titled because regardless of how it looked on the page, it doesn’t translate to the screen. … read more
Film Review: Gaîa
If you’re looking for an excuse to jump and scream a lot and spill popcorn, move along—Gaîa is not the horror movie you’re looking for. … read more
Film Review: Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to...
Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It chronicles a 70-plus-year career filled with spectacular highs and near-tragic lows. … read more
Film Review: The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is an obnoxious mess aimed at 12–14-year-old-boys watching it on a sleepover without their parents’ knowledge. … read more
Film Review: Fatherhood
In Fatherhood, Kevin Hart plays Matt and is faced with raising his daughter alone when his wife dies the day after giving birth. … read more
Film Review: Luca
While it may be playing at home, Luca’s a movie that will make you feel like you’ve gone somewhere special and had a grand experience. … read more
Film Review: 12 Mighty Orphans
12 Mighty Orphans, which is based on a true story, seems almost foolproof. But it fumbles an awful lot on its way to the goalpost. … read more
Film Review: Infinite
Infinite is clearly hoping to be a mind-bending action spectacular, but will be remembered as one of 2021’s worst movies. … read more
Film Review: Skater Girl
Skater Girl takes that desire to showcase people from different backgrounds reaching for the stars to a whole new level. … read more
Film Review: Wish Dragon
Wish Dragon is energetic, colorful fun, and you enjoy over-the-top kung fu–stunt action—even in cartoon form—then you may enjoy it. … read more
Series Review: Loki
If WandaVision was a sci-fi sitcom and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier was a buddy action story, Loki is a hardboiled detective story. … read more
Film Review: Plan B
Plan B is, in many ways, at its best when it lets its comedic guard down and allows the more tender character moments play out. … read more
Film Review: In the Heights
In the Heights combines the best elements of stage and screen in a way that no Broadway adaptation has successfully done since Chicago. … read more
Film Review: New Order
New Order is a failure based around pertinent issues, but there is literally nothing to take away from it except what you came in with. … read more
Film Review: Spirit Untamed
There’s nothing wrong with a movie that’s aimed at the 5–9-year-old age range, especially when it’s as lovable as Spirits Untamed. … read more
Series Review: Sweet Tooth
Working in a Hunger Games milieu, Sweet Tooth is likely to appeal to teen audiences and fans of young adult science fiction. … read more
Film Review: The Dry
The Dry is a highly compelling and introspective film that thrives on an excellent screenplay, which was adapted from a novel by Jane Harper. … read more
Film Review: Cruella
Cruella just doesn’t work despite its best efforts. It ends up taking itself almost as deadly and pretentiously serious as Joker did. … read more
Film Review: Blue Miracle
Blue Miracle is done well enough to succeed as an innocuous family film that has a lot of heart and does its best to avoid being too sappy. … read more
Film Review: A Quiet Place Part II
While A Quiet Place Part II may make you even more scared to be outside, it’s the best reason I’ve had to leave the house in a long time. … read more
David Cross, Bigfoot and The Journey of “The Dark Divide”
Anyone who paid attention in their high school English class likely has some familiarity with “The Hero’s Journey.” It’s the template for most storytelling, wherein a hero goes on an adventure, is victorious (or sometimes fails) and comes home changed by it. But for Robert Michael Pyle, a real-life hero’s journey took place in 1995
Film Review: Dream Horse
Dream Horse Director: Euros Lyn Cornerstone Films and Film4 In Theaters 05.21 The spring/early summer blockbuster season is more or less partially underway to some extent, pandemic style. With zombies and serial killers dominating, a small, feel-good sports drama is welcome counterprogramming. There are some sports—well, OK, basically all of them—that hold no interest for
Film Review: Army of the Dead
Army of the Dead has a lot going for it, and Zack Snyder has created an epic-scale film filled with eye-popping visuals and plenty of action. … read more
Film Review: The Woman in the Window
The Woman in the Window Director: Joe Wright Fox 2000 Pictures Streaming on Netflix 05.14 The new major release from Netflix, The Woman in the Window, is based on the novel by A. J. Finn and is one that has piqued my curiosity for reasons different than most. This past year of social distancing and
Film Review: Profile
If all you want is something fast-moving that provides a few cheap and stupid thrills, Profile might be the movie for you. … read more
Film Review: Wrath of Man
The biggest failure of Wrath of Man, Guy Richie’s latest film, is that it doesn’t deliver as an action flick and misses out on having any fun. … read more
Film Review: The Paper Tigers
The Paper Tigers is a disposable movie that is more likely to be a video rental than a theatrical experience, but it’s fun and engaging. … read more
Film Review: Here Today
There’s enough in Billy Crystal’s Here Today to enjoy if you’re the kind of person who likes pop melodrama and a good cry. … read more
Series Review: Star Wars The Bad Batch
The latest episodic Star Wars spinoff, The Bad Batch, is here and may well prove to be the best of the bunch. … read more
Film Review: Limbo
Limbo is a wonderful little film and makes for one of 2021’s first must see films for the serious and thoughtful cinephile. … read more
Film Review: Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse
Warts and all, Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse is a solid action flick that has strong potential as a franchise for Michael B. Jordan. … read more
Film Review: Four Good Days
Four Good Days is a great premise that pairs two gifted actresses in showy roles in order to make a serviceable but incredibly average movie. … read more
Film Review: Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat isn’t a movie I’d recommend to anyone apart from those who are already going, but it’ll probably bring a smile to their faces. … read more
Film Review: Stowaway
Stowaway is, to use a cooking metaphor, a strange mix of cold leftovers and a main course that is nowhere near ready to be served. … read more
Film Review: The Mitchells vs. The Machines
The Mitchells vs. The Machines is yet another case of Lord Miller Productions defying all of the odds against them. … read more
Film Review: Monday
While offering plenty of atmosphere, Argyris Papadimitropoulos fails to provide much else apart from a dragging runtime in Monday. … read more
Film Review: Thunder Force
Thunder Force will be just successful enough among the least discriminating comedy fans looking for a distraction. … read more
Film Review: In The Earth
It’s difficult to know where to begin in a review of a film like In The Earth because the words “I want an apology” would cover everything. … read more
Director Jesse Noah Klein and his Actors Work Together “Like...
Writer-director Jesse Noah Klein tackles postpartum depression in a truly unique way in his new film, Like a House on Fire. … read more
Series Review: Mare of Easttown
Mare of Easttown is a soul-searching story of guilt, love, loss, secrets and facing our worst fears in our darkest moments. … read more
Film Review: Voyagers
Voyagers is strictly filler, giving re-opening theaters something borderline exciting to show until real movies start coming back. … read more
Series Review: The Nevers
As a fan of early Whedon since long before it became fashionable, I really wanted to try and judge The Nevers completely on its own merits. … read more
Film Review: 2021 Oscar Nominated Short Films – Live Action
The 2021 Oscar Nominated Shorts is a program of thoughtful, artistically challenging films that prove the form’s legitimacy. … read more
Black to the Future: Celia C. Peters Talks Afrofuturism: Blackness...
Celia C. Peters believes that Afrofuturism can take many different forms, and that what storytellers choose to do with it is wide open. … read more
Film Review: Concrete Cowboy
Concrete Cowboy is a relatively predictable feel-good film, but it’s one that comes from the heart and from the soul. … read more
Film Review: Godzilla vs. Kong
Godzilla vs. Kong is everything I need it to be, and those who find it lacking are probably watching the wrong movie for them. … read more
Film Review: Boys vs. Girls
Boys vs. Girls eventually settles into a groove where it becomes slightly less painful to watch because you’re getting closer to its end. … read more
Film Review: Doors
Doors is a science fiction horror film bereft of new or intriguing concepts and it’s hard to imagine it appealing to anyone. … read more
Film Review: Nobody
I can’t remember the last time I’ve hoped a movie I liked as much as I enjoyed Nobody would not get a sequel. … read more
Film Review: The Courier
The Courier isn’t going to be an Oscar contender or a blockbuster, but it’s a solidly entertaining thriller. … read more
Series Review: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier promises to be a wild ride that restores Fridays to the state of nirvana. … read more
The Spine of Night Is an Animated Counterculture Nostalgia Trip...
The Spine of Night is the an animated film made shooting live action then tracing onto animation cels—recalling classics such as Heavy Metal. … read more
SXSW Film Review: Alien on Stage: The Documentary
Alien on Stage: The Documentary combines into one gloriously goofy and strangely inspiring film, and it truly must be seen to be believed. … read more
Our Father Brings a Sensitive and Quirky Story of Sisterhood...
Our Father is a sardonically morose yet whimsically charming new film that rests on the shoulders of four women: sisters Beta and Zelda. … read more
SXSW Film Review: The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly...
Leah Purcell has directed a revisionist western masterpiece in The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson. … read more
SXSW Film Review: Here Before
Director Stacy Gregg has created a subdued and cerebral thriller in Here Before, akin to early black-and-white Hitchcock films such as Rebecca. … read more
SXSW Film Review: Paul Dood’s Deadly Lunch Break
You know those weird novelty-Oreos flavors they make? Paul Dood’s Deadly Lunch Break is the film equivalent of Barbecue Bacon Ranch Oreos. … read more
Film Review: Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Zack Snyder’s Justice League is really the same movie; there’s just a lot more of it. It’s bloated and wildly self-indulgent. … read more
SXSW Film Review: Executive Order
Executive Order is a bold directorial debut from acclaimed Brazilian actor-director Lázaro Ramos, has a lot to say, and needs to be heard. … read more
SXSW Film Review: Potato Dreams of America
Potato Dreams of America touts a theme that no matter how hard you may try to bury it, the only path to happiness is to be true to yourself. … read more
Film Review: Coming 2 America
Coming 2 America rises easy enough to get through most of the time, which is about as strong a recommendation we can muster. … read more
Film Review: Cherry
There’s a difference between not entirely succeeding and outright failure, and the Russo Brothers’ Cherry is far from the latter. … read more
God, the Devil and Mad Forgery Skills: Jared Hess and...
No one is immune to deception is the perspective from which the filmmakers chose to tell the story of Murder Among the Mormons. … read more
Film Review: Chaos Walking
Chaos Walking is a disposable diversion at best, an embarrassing waste of time, and primarily, it’s just a lot of vague, unfocused noise. … read more
Film Review: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run is certainly aimed at fans, but it’s quite accessible even if you’re not. It made a fan out of me. … read more
Film Review: Raya and the Last Dragon
Raya and the Last Dragon is a magical, can’t-miss adventure that’s suitable for everyone while breaking the mold. … read more
Film Review: Moxie
Moxie takes the Mean Girls’ model of “girls can be so awful to each other” and provides an alternative story of sisterhood and empowerment. … read more
Film Review: Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry
The World’s A Little Blurry is a coming-of-age story of Billie Eilish whose overnight rise to superstardom shook the entire music industry. … read more
Film Review: The United States vs. Billie Holiday
The United States vs. Billie Holiday is a pretty good film about magnificent talent, corruption and fear-mongering government operations. … read more
A Tiny Ripple of Hope Brings A Story of Love...
A Tiny Ripple of Hope is a powerful and emotional new documentary which premiered at the 2021 Slamdance Film Festival. … read more
Film Review: I Care A Lot
I Care A Lot is a gleefully wicked ride that has remarkable chutzpah and deftly zigs every time you think it’s going to zag. … read more
Dickinson: Season Two Has Fun Taking Poetic License With Its...
If you like period costume dramas, then Dickinson, might be just the show for you—but it’s certainly not the one you’re expecting it to be … read more
Film Review: Flora & Ulysses
Flora & Ulysses isn’t going on a best-of-the-year list, but it’s a welcome family film that adults will even enjoy watching on their own. … read more
Film Review: Willy’s Wonderland
Willy’s Wonderland is not unwatchable, but it’s not even the best new Nicolas Cage movie I’ve seen in the past three weeks. … read more
Film Review: Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar
As long as you have at least one person beside you who’s feeling as stupid as you are for laughing, Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar is it. … read more
Film Review: The World To Come
The World to Come explores the question of how one deals with the realities of life versus the expectations of what it’s supposed to be. … read more
Film Review: The Mauritanian
The Mauritanian conveys when we talk ourselves into believing that the end justifies the means, we inevitably lose sight of the end itself. … read more
Film Review: Minari
Minari is an emotional and lyrical work of art, and a moving portrait of assimilation and the immigrant experience. … read more
Film Review: Malcolm & Marie
It’s difficult to imagine anyone but people who really like Zendaya and John David Washington making it through Malcolm & Marie. … read more
Film Review: Nomadland
Nomadland is an immersive, cleansing experience that had me captivated from beginning to end, and it’s deserving of the love it’s getting. … read more
Sundance Film Review: You Wouldn’t Understand
Trish Harnetiaux’s You Wouldn’t Understand is an unassuming little gem of absurdist comedy that knows exactly what is is. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Prisoners of the Ghostland
Prisoners of the Ghostland is a nonsensical mess that had me feeling like one of those characters from a certain era of Bugs Bunny cartoon. … read more
Sundance Film Review: R#J
In this retelling of Romeo and Juliet, R#J feels more like a very intriguing experiment than a particularly good film. … read more
Sundace Film Review: Jockey
Jockey is a triumph of melancholy and wistful moments woven together by a skilled director and actor who has never been fully appreciated. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Marvelous and the Black Hole
Kate Tsang’s Marvelous and the Black Hole is by no means terrible, and it kills almost 90 minutes adequately enough. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Mass
Mass is an uncompromisingly provocative film, one sure to be the subject of discussion if people can steel themselves up to watch it. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Flee
Flee is a magnificent achievement in directing, and a genuine game changer for documentaries as an artform. … read more
Sundance Film Review: On the Count of Three
Jerrod Carmichael’s On the Count of Three is an interesting commentary on the difference between angry self-pity and true mental illness. … read more
Sundance Film Review: How It Ends
Zoe Lister-Jones & Daryl Wein’s pre-apocalyptic How It Ends is slight and forgettable, but it is an enjoyable little excursion. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Coda
Coda perfectly encapsulates the idea of challenging narrow viewpoints regrading the ways we communicate, the ways we live and the ways we love. … read more
Film Review: Supernova
Supernova is an absorbing enough trip, even if it doesn’t take us down many roads we haven’t visited before. … read more
Film Review: The Little Things
The Little Things is intriguing, but too grisly for people who don’t get into serial-killer movies, but too tame for those who love them. … read more
Film Review: The Dig
The Dig is a well-made film that has a lot going for it. If not for the ill-advised deviations, this could have easily been a minor classic. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Playing With Sharks
Playing with Sharks is so much more than just the latest cash grab on the subject—it’ s a loving tribute to an extraordinary person. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Prime Time
Prime Time is simply an exceptionally well-crafted and engaging thriller that goes beyond language barriers. … read more
Sundance Film Review: One for the Road
Baz Poonipiriya’s One for the Road is not without its moments, but it’s irritating, flashy and shallow beyond words, … read more
Sundance Film Review: Hive
Hive is a smack in the face that manages to be both devastating and inspiring, as well as profoundly moving. … read more
Film Review: The White Tiger
The White Tiger takes on an introspective look at greatness versus goodness and the vast differences between a prosperous life and spirit. … read more
Film Review: Herself
Phyllida Lloyd’s Herself is a beautiful, sensitive and life-affirming movie that comes with my highest possible recommendation. … read more
Film Review: Outside the Wire
If you’re looking for slam-bang action and you like military thrillers, Mikael Håfström’s Outside the Wire is a fair use of two hours. … read more
Series Review: WandaVision
WandaVision is visionary and an exciting television event that should thrill fans, as long as they are willing to accept something different. … read more
Film Review: Locked Down
Locked Down is a unique take on the heist movie, but more than anything, it’s a good relationship dramedy. … read more
Film Review: The Marksman
The Marksman is an above-average but far-below-great January thriller that works because its star and director really sell it. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame...
Street Gang: How We Made It Sesame Street is unforgettable, and it’s more than a film—it’s a living document of the work. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Land
Land is a quiet, introspective and metaphorical film that provides a rewarding experience and a very promising first feature. … read more
Cryptozoo Brings a Dash of Imagination to Sundance
Prolific in the medium of graphic novels, Dash Shaw views the virtual format of this year’s Sundance festival as well suited to Cryptozoo. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Passing
Passing is a striking and provocative first feature that signals the arrival of a major new directing talent. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Together Together
Together Together invites the audience to become part of a unique and very memorable character relationship. … read more
Film Review: Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets
Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets offers nothing of value and will fade from memory quickly, assuming it makes any sort of mark at all. … read more
Film Review: Shadow in the Cloud
Shadow in the Cloud is a high-flying, popcorn-popping movie that breathes fresh creativity into more than one genre. … read more
Film Review: Sylvie’s Love
Sylvie’s Love is old-fashioned in style and tone yet remarkably progressive and has the potential to become a favorite among romance lovers. … read more
Film Review: One Night in Miami…
One Night in Miami is an intellectually and emotionally rewarding film that respects its audience and never talks down to anyone. … read more
Film Review: The Dissident
The Dissident is an important reminder of one of the most troubling chapters in the story of U.S. foreign policy over the past four years. … read more
The Top 11 Films of 2020
Feel free to disagree with this list. I may not even agree with myself when I look back on it, but here it is just the same, presented in alphabetical order. … read more
Review: Cobra Kai: Season 3
Cobra Kai: Season 3 is a blast of nostalgia mixed with self-aware cheesiness that furthers the growth of the original and new characters. … read more
Film Review: Pieces of a Woman
There are few sequences can match the intensity of the first 30 minutes of Pieces of a Woman—unfortunately, what follows is a tedious drag. … read more
Film Review: Greenland
Greenland is the newest “object hurtling toward earth” movie, and it reminds audiences how loosely “entertainment” can be applied to a film. … read more
Film Review: Wonder Woman 1984
With its dazzling action sequences and strong performances, Wonder Woman 1984 is worth the wait and will be a real treat for fans. … read more
Film Review: Promising Young Woman
Promising Young Woman is one of the smartest, boldest and most elegantly crafted screenplays in recent memory. … read more
Wolfwalkers (Literally) Draws Upon Irish History and Folklore To Tell...
Wolfwalkers is a must see and uses traditional 2D animation, in an eye-popping, stylized approach that resembles soft watercolors. … read more
Film Review: Soul
Soul comes with a strong message that life is a gift not to be taken lightly, and you should not just do what you love, but love what you do. … read more
Film Review: All My Life
A movie that purports to be a “true story” shouldn’t be clear cut, but All My Life doesn’t take place in anything resembling real life. … read more
Film Review: Fatale
With Fatale, director Deon Taylor has lazily slopped Fatal Attraction and Strangers on a Train into a blender and hit purée. … read more
Film Review: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Much like the very best music, Geroge C. Wolfe’s adaptation of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a whirlwind of emotions. … read more
Film Review: News of the World
Starring Tom Hanks, Paul Greengrass’ News of the World is a testament to the power of the movies to take us on an epic journey. … read more
Film Review: The Midnight Sky
The Midnight Sky is not without its strengths. George Clooney stars as an astronomer after earth has been devastated by a catastrophe. … read more
Film Review: WIld Mountain Thyme
Wild Mountain Thyme is a pleasant diversion, and it’s just cute and charming enough to overcome its flimsy storytelling most of the time. … read more
Film Review: Safety
Reginald Hudlin’s Safety scores enough points by just being what it is to be an enjoyable movie for family viewing. … read more
FIlm Review: Ammonite
Ammonite is slickly done, and worth the investment of time if you’re a serious fan of either or both of the accomplished leading ladies. … read more
Film Review: The Prom
It’s not perfect, but The Prom is a rousingly enjoyable romp that tugs at the heartstrings and presents a very worthwhile message … read more
Film Review: The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone
The bad news is that The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone doesn’t succeed in turning The Godfather, Part III into a great film. … read more
Film Review: Sound of Metal
Sound of Metal plays things too safely to realize its full potential, but it could have been something really special. … read more
Film Review: I’m Your Woman
Directed by Julia Hart and starring Rachel Brosnahan, I’m Your Woman is one of the best character-based thrillers to come along in a while. … read more
Film Review: The Croods: A New Age
On the whole, The Croods: A New Age is good fun, even if it’s a lesser sequel, but it isn’t a must-see-in-a-theater event. … read more
Film Review: The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two
Chris Columbus’ The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two is the epitome of the go-big-or-go-home Hollywood sequel. … read more
Film Review: Rebecca
Rebecca is is slavishly faithful, beautifully photographed and so completely and perplexingly devoid any good reason to exist. … read more
Film Review: Run
Run is for those looking for a skillfully executed nail biter, but it’s a recommendation that comes with a nice big warning label. … read more
Film Review: Mank
Mank is a masterful film. It’s about power, the creative process, and the constant struggle of how we each view ourselves. … read more
Series review: Animaniacs
Animaniacs was without a doubt the most cerebral, zany, imaginative and bizarre thing to hit the world of daytime cartoons in … well, ever. … read more
Film Review: Come Away
Come Away is the cinematic equivalent of a burnt, frozen, reheated casserole made up of stale ingredients that don’t compliment each other. … read more
Film Review: Dreamland
Dreamland is a mediocre drama that needed a good deal more creative development put into it before the cameras started rolling. … read more
Film Review: The Life Ahead
In The Life Ahead, Loren plays Madame Rosa, a holocaust survivor and former sex worker in the port city of Bari in Puglia, Italy. … read more
Film Review: Freaky
Freaky is just fresh enough to click, and if you are a slasher movie fan or enjoying making fun of them, you’ll definitely want to check it out. … read more
Film Review: Hillbilly Elegy
Hillbilly Elegy Director: Ron Howard Imagine Entertainment In Theaters: 11.11 Streaming on Netflix: 11.24 A few years ago, I took a trip to North Carolina to help my brother shoot a documentary. While there, we visited Mount Airy, which is sometimes known as “The Real Mayberry,” in honor of its favorite son, Andy Griffith. There’s
Series Review: Dash & Lily
The new Christmas-themed miniseries Dash & Lily is a sweet, endearing and funny romcom that is filled with Christmas cheer. … read more
Film Review: Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is a vibrant and joyful holiday experience. It’s energetic, fun and made with heartfelt good intentions. … read more
Film Review: Jungleland
Jungleland has a strong enough formula to go down easily, but it’s a shame that it ended up as an example of “making movies of other movies.” … read more
Film Review: Let Him Go
Let Him Go is not a movie for all audiences, and it’s not to be confused with great art, but it is a skillfully executed western. … read more
Film Review: Holidate
Though Holidate has a good base premise, its many attempts to run itself as a “adult” comedy turn it into a butter knife with jagged teeth. … read more
16 Streaming Halloween Treats You Get for Staying Home This...
Here are 16 movies streaming across a variety of platforms, perfect for the Halloween season and catering to a variety of tastes. … read more
Film Review: The Witches
Robert Zemeckis’ The Witches casts a magical spell, delivering plenty of big thrills and big action sequences on a mouse-sized scale. … read more
Series Review: The Queen’s Gambit
The Queen’s Gambit is, in a nutshell, great television that should be remembered when next year’s Emmy Awards roll around. … read more
Film Review: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is a constant tug-of-war between comic genius and lowbrow stupidity, often at the same time. … read more
Film Review: Happiest Season
Happiest Season is both a great Christmas classic and a ten-best-of-the-year candidate, which is rare indeed. … read more
Film Review: 2 Hearts
To call 2 Hearts the worst film of the year feels like elevating it to a level of legitimacy that the film just doesn’t deserve. … read more
Film Review: The Doorman
If you like urban thrillers and haven’t seen Die Hard, you can rent it for less than you’d pay for the meager wannabe The Doorman. … read more
Film Review: Honest Thief
Honest Thief isn’t anything to get too excited about, but it’s just fun and diverting enough to be a step up for Liam Neeson’s career in popcorn thrillers. … read more
Film Review: The Kid Detective
Director Evan Morgan’s The Kid Detective is hard to recommend but impossible to dismiss, and it’s one of the most unique movies of the year. … read more
Film Review: Love and Monsters
When it comes to living through COVID-19, especially for those of us who are feeling very aware that we are single, Love and Monsters represents us. … read more
Learning to Solve Mysteries and Problems with Sesame Workshop on...
Sesame Workshop has been at the forefront of education for decades, and when partnered with AppleTV, the potential for innovative edutainment is limitless. … read more
Film Review: Over the Moon
Over the Moon is a triumphant debut feature. This is a family movie to be celebrated and enjoyed, so get the kids together for movie night and settle in. … read more
Film Review: The War with Grandpa
The War with Grandpa is a tired, lazy and stupid comedy. It isn’t a contender for worst movie of the year, but that’s about as much praise as I can muster. … read more
Film Review: On the Rocks
On The Rocks is Sofia Coppola’s overall best film in quite a long time, and it ranks right up there among her best works ever. … read more
Film Review: Yellow Rose
Yellow Rose is a very effective, absorbing and topical drama that creates suspense by giving the audience characters they really care about. … read more
Film Review: Ava
Ava is very much a B movie—and shouldn’t be confused for anything more—but if you enjoy tense action thrillers, it should be an entertaining time killer. … read more
Film Review: The Lie
The Lie Director: Veena Sud Blumhouse Productions Streaming on Amazon Prime: 10.06 The month of October is upon us, and with options more more limited in terms of Halloween activities, staying home and binging on horror films is likely to be a popular choice. The scariest one by far aired live on September 29th, but
Film Review: The Boys in the Band
The Boys in the Band is hit and miss, but there’s enough raw truth and insight in the material—and the stellar performances—to make it worthwhile viewing. … read more
Film Review: The Glorias
With oustanding performances and the importance and timeliness of the message, pluses outweigh the minuses enough for The Glorias. … read more
Film Review: Spontaneous
The ludicrous premise of Spontaneous is so out there that it allows the film to break free of the shackles that have been on many other 2020 teen movies. … read more
Film Review: The Trial of the Chicago 7
The Trail of the Chicago 7 is certainly a nominee for Best Picture and a glorious reminder not only to never stop fighting, but of why movies still matter. … read more
Film Review: Critical Thinking
John Leguizamo’s Critical Thinking bring an honest sense of hope to these times, and the film works on just about every level. … read more
Film Review: H is for Happiness
H is for Happiness deals with the subjects of teen angst, dysfunctional families, young romance and tragedy in a way that’s quite unlike anything before it. … read more
Film Review: Blackbird
Blackbird plays it disappointingly safe and sticks with the trappings of dysfunctional family melodrama, complete with the stock characters and revelations. … read more
Film Review: Misbehaviour
Misbehaviour emerges as one of the biggest winners of the fall, crowned in glory and ready to take on the world as an inspirational and entertaining film. … read more
Film Review: Challenger: The Final Flight
Challenger: The Final Flight is gripping and easy to binge, offering an overwhelming experience for those who will never forget January 28, 1986. … read more
Series Review: Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous
Camp Cretaceous is good fun and meant for those who still have a bit of kid at heart. It’s an enjoyable mix of popcorn movie and chocolate-cereal cartoon. … read more
Film Review: The Secrets We Keep
The Secrets We Keep is the kind of film that raises complex questions without trying to give us easy answers, and it’s disturbing in all the right ways. … read more
Film Review: The Devil All the Time
The Devil All The Time is not the beginning of Oscar season, just an elaborate mirage in the largely barren desert of September movie-going. … read more
Series Review: Ratched
Ratched is a series rollercoaster, diving so sharply into horror, melodrama and wacky comedy that it’s a wonder there isn’t more vomiting involved. … read more
Film Review: The Broken Hearts Gallery
The best thing about The Broken Hearts Gallery is its relatability, although its potential to be a far more emotionally rewarding film is lost. … read more
Film Review: All In: The Fight for Democracy
All In: The Fight for Democracy is a wake-up call about the issue of voter suppression, and may be the most important film of 2020. … read more
Film Review: Enola Holmes
Enola Holmes has a breezy, adventurous and family-friendly feel with a knockout cast of Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill to support it. … read more
Film Review: Mulan
Mulan recognizes that it’s telling a timeless tale and allows it to be not so much a remake as a well-done alternate telling of the story. … read more
Series Review: Away
Away is full of intelligence, heart and hope, and is definitely one of the most sweeping and absorbing limited-run series of this year. … read more
Film Review: Attack of the Unkown
Attack of the Unknown is a cop thriller that has little to offer beyond close-range gunshots, gratuitous nudity and a violent, sci-fi, blood-and-puss fest. … read more
Film Review: Tenet
Christopher Nolan’s long-awaited Tenet is a smart popcorn film that doesn’t rank among his best work, weighed down by characteristic sound-mixing issues. … read more
Film Review: Bill & Ted Face the Music
Bill and Ted Face the Music makes for a very fun piece of nostalgia and a much better ending to the story than the one we were given 29 years ago. … read more
Film Review: Get Duked!
Get Duked! is nothing particularly fresh, but it does what it sets out to do very well. It’s a good film If you’re looking for raucous and irreverent fun. … read more
Film Review: I’m Thinking of Ending Things
I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a spellbinding film that ranks among Kaufman’s best work, a triumph of atmosphere and unsettling tension and loneliness. … read more
Film Review: The One and Only Ivan
Starring the voice of Sam Rockwell, The One and Only Ivan is a glorious alternative to the increasingly stagnant remakes that Disney has been churning out. … read more
Film Review: The 24th
The 24th is a challenging and deeply disturbing film, but one that deserves to be seen and discussed. It shares a story that desperately needed to be told. … read more
Film Review: Chemical Hearts
Chemical Hearts is involving but also quite depressing. Whether it’s for teenagers or for those who used to be, it’s unlikely to be a favorite of either. … read more
Film Review: Unhinged
Unhinged is sold as a nail-biter about the dangers of road rage, but Crowe’s character is motivated by something far more dangerous: explosive misogyny. … read more
Film Review: Words on Bathroom Walls
Words on Bathroom Walls has all of the right ingredients for greatness, but right now it just leaves an unpleasant aftertaste. … read more
Film Review: Project Power
Project Power isn’t quite as groundbreaking as it wants to be, but it’s an absorbing crime story that is filled with heart-stopping sequences and impressive visual effects. … read more
Film Review: Fe@rLeSS_
While it’s not exactly Pixar quality, Cory Edwards’ Fe@rLess_ is an enjoyable and clever little movie with plenty of humor and heart. … read more
Series Review: Wizards: Tales of Arcadia
Wizards is far less episodic than others in the Arcadia series, and it moves at a breakneck pace, jumping straight into the action and rarely letting up. … read more
Film Review: The Secret Garden
Marc Munden’s take on the childhood classic may not be a terrible film, but it’s not a good one, and it most certainly is not The Secret Garden. … read more
Film Review: Work It
Starring Sabrina Carpenter and Liza Koshy, Work It is light as a feather, and it’s a pleasant enough diversion that will get your feet tapping. … read more
Film Review: Summerland
Summerland is a very good film that is well worth your time, and it’s an excellent showcase for Gemma Arterton’s acting talents. … read more
Film Review: Yes, God, Yes
Yes, God, Yes is a charming little indie that deals with difficult issues that teenagers face and are too often unable to discuss with their parents. … read more
Film Review: Radioactive
Though the leads in Radioactive delivered fantastic performances, the director wasn’t able to find a find a happy medium between formula and razzmatazz. … read more
Film Review: The Secret
The Secret: Dare to Dream, based on the self-help book, needs more than good actors and a high production value to turn it into something worthwhile. … read more
Film Review: The Outpost
The Outpost is a worthy memorial for the fallen, a moving tribute to heroism and a testament to the senseless losses suffered in a seemingly endless war. … read more
Film Review: Latte and the Magic Waterstone
With a solid animation style and some stilted translated dialogue, Latte and the Magic Waterstone is pleasant, cute and innocuous enough. … read more
Film Review: Double World
Teddy Chan’s new film, Double World, is the biggest, most spectacular and magnificently entertaining action movie of the summer. … read more
Film Review: Guest Artist
Jeff Daniels’ new film, Guest Artist, is an echo of its own protagonist: a mixture of heartfelt brilliance and pretentious neediness. … read more
Film Review: Animal Crackers
Animal Crackers is entertaining and heartwarming, and I’m pretty sure I’ll watch it again with my little nephews … or just maybe even without them. … read more
Series Review: Cursed
Cursed has enough to be enjoyed if you like medieval fantasy and feminist action heroes, though the series doesn’t warrant a recommendation. … read more
Film Review: First Cow
First Cow is a captivating film that really deserves to find an audience, and it’s a refreshing change of pace from what you expect from mainstream cinema. … read more
Film Review: Greyhound
Greyhound is taut and thrilling, but firmly grounded in reality. It showcases Tom Hanks’ commanding prowess both on-screen and as a scriptwriter. … read more
Film Review: The Old Guard
If you’re aching for a new action blockbuster, The Old Guard is entertaining, intoxicating and may be the most fun two hours you’ll have in July. … read more
Film Review: Mighty Oak
Mighty Oak is a soggy dramedy about a tightly knit, up-and-coming rock band that falters through an asanine third-act twist. … read more
Film Review: Palm Springs
Palm Springs is the kind of film that makes you rethink your idea of what “originality” means, and it’s easily one of the best movies of 2020 thus far. … read more
Film Review: Desperados
Though Desperados contains a talented cast, that alone is not enough to save the tone-deaf comedy that lacks a high regard for women. … read more
Film Review: My Spy
Buoyed by a stellar performances from Dave Bautista and (especially) Chloe Coleman, Peter Segal’s My Spy is hardly classic, but it gets the job done. … read more
Film Review: Miss Juneteenth
Channing Godfrey Peoples’ Miss Juneteenth is a big winner, a touching and melancholy piece of storytelling that is as timeless as it is timely. … read more
Series Review: The Baby-Sitters Club
The Baby-Sitters Club can be enjoyed by the entire family, because it’s smart, light-hearted fun with an infectiously upbeat spirit. … read more
Film Review: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is a guilty pleasure, and in terms of straightforward silly comedy, is Ferrel’s best movie since Elf. … read more
Film Review: Irresistible
Irresistible is a highly enjoyable movie that offers some good surprises, plenty of laughs and a lot of heart. … read more
Film Review: Feel the Beat
Elissa Down’s new feature film, Feel the Beat, is a completely manufactured product, like Cheese Doodles or Pete Buttigieg. … read more
Film Review: Wasp Network
Oliver Assayas’ Wasp Network isn’t able to build sufficient levels of suspense or make us feel a strong connection with any of the characters. … read more
Film Review: A Whisker Away
With relatable characters and themes A Whisker Away is a breath of fresh air and a great film for tweens and young adults. … read more
Film Review: Artemis Fowl
Artemis Fowl is a visually resplendent film that should be enjoyable, but the story connects together like bumper cars slamming into each other. … read more
Film Review: The Last Days of American Crime
The Last Days of American Crime isn’t a film: It’s an unsightly blemish on your Netflix queue. You don’t watch it so much as you drain the pus out of it. … read more
Film Review: Becky
Becky is certainly not for all tastes, but it has the makings of the next big cult favorite, and is one of the most unique action movies in quite a while. … read more
Film Review: Da 5 Bloods
If there’s one thing you can count on with Spike Lee, it’s that his films will always try to make a statement, and Da 5 Bloods has an awful lot to say. … read more
Series Review: Crossing Swords
There are plenty better things to do with your times then to waste it on even one episode of the boorish, adolescent idiocy of Crossing Swords. … read more
Film Review: We Are Freestyle Love Supreme
Andrew Fried’s new documentary, We Are Freestyle Love Supreme, is a must-see for fans of improv, theatrical comedy and hip hop. … read more
Film Review: Spelling the Dream
Spelling The Dream is an absorbing and inspiring film, and you can’t help but love the kids at the heart of its story of competition. … read more
Series Review: Space Force
Space Force may not entirely accomplish the bold mission of creating a 21st-century M*A*S*H or Catch-22., but it certainly achieves lift off. … read more
Film Review: The Lovebirds
In The Lovebirds, Jibran and Leilani are a couple who reach a crossroads in their relationship as they are falsely implicated in a murder. … read more
Film Review: Scoob!
Scoob! is exciting enough to entertain kids with just enough winking cleverness aimed at adults so they’re able to sit through with the little ones. … read more
Series Review: The Great
The Great is great television, and if you’re in the mood for something wickedly irreverent, at times quite sexy and, above all, endlessly smart, then don’t miss this one. … read more
Film Review: Capone
If, and only if, you are dead set on seeing Tom Hardy fire a tommy gun while wearing a diaper, is the pretentious and ill-conceived Capone worth your time. … read more
Film Review: Kimmy Vs. The Reverend
Kimmy Vs. The Reverend is definitely for those of us who already love the show, but it’s a lot of laughs coming at a time when we need them. … read more
Series Review: Trial By Media
Trial by Media is a highly entertaining and watchable series that captures the multiple sides of some very complex stories. … read more
Series Review: Hollywood
Netflix’s Hollywood is a wildly entertaining ride, but you’ll find yourself rolling your eyes as often as you are wiping them. … read more
Film Review: Dangerous Lies
Dangerous Lies is like leftover takeout sitting at the back of the fridge: It’s not even worth the effort of tossing it in the trash. … read more
Film Review: The Half of It
The Half of It, Alice Wu’s new Cyrano de Bergerac adaptation, is a beautiful and spirited modern classic that deserves to be seen. … read more
Film Review: Bad Education
Regardless of where or how it is presented to audiences, Cory Finley’s new film Bad Education gets straight A’s all around. … read more
Series Review: The Eddy
The Eddy is a great night spot where you can hang out with charismatic characters, listen to some smooth jazz and have an unforgettable time. … read more
Film Review: The Willoughbys
The Willoughys has all of the right ingredients to become a minor classic, making for a hugely satisfying and diverting family film. … read more
Film Review: Extraction
Extraction isn’t quite as deep as it wants you to think it is, but it is certainly a better-than-average action thriller with some actual surprises and engaging situations. … read more
Film Review: Sergio
Sergio, Netflix’s new biopic about the UN diplomat Sérgio Vieira de Mello isn’t a bad film, but it’s hardly the movie that its subject deserved. … read more
Film Review: Love. Wedding. Repeat
Love. Wedding. Repeat Director: Dean Craig Notorious Pictures Streaming on Netflix 4.10 One of the reasons that romantic comedy is such an inconsistent genre is that there are generally two major goals: One is creating situations that the audience can relate to, and the other is creating characters they can live through vicariously. These are
Film Review: Tigertail
Alan Yang’s Tigertail is a story about the paths that we walk, where they lead and the regrets that we feel over the wrong turns we take. … read more
Film Review: Coffee and Kareem
The greatest contribution Netflix could’ve made would’ve been to release Coffee and Kareem exclusively in theaters, now, when no one is allowed inside them. … read more
Film Review: The Banker
The Banker is an enjoyable but fluffy and formulaic movie about racial politics in the ’60s told almost entirely by white people. … read more
Series Review: Self Made
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker will entertain you and tug at your heart while giving you something to think about as well. … read more
11 Movies To Help You Through a Quarantine
Here are a few suggestions for comfort movies to help you keep your mind off of it all as we all prepare to quarantine and hunker down in our homes. … read more
Show Review: The Letter for the King
The Letter For The King is a charming, rollicking adventure, and a pleasant diversion that makes for some seriously entertaining family viewing. … read more
Film Review: The Traitor
The Traitor won’t have much appeal for non mafia film aficionados, but if you are a fan, it’s safe to say that this is a film that you can’t refuse. … read more
Film Review: Wendy
Wendy is a beautiful, devastating and profound experience, and Patrick Gibbs ended up strongly connecting with it on a very personal and emotional level. … read more
Film Review: Spenser Confidential
Spenser Confidential is a briskly paced, buddy-cop thriller, and there’s just enough to like here to make it a decent enough way to kill two hours. … read more
Film Review: Greed
While its anti-capitalist exploitation message is well meaning, it doesn’t change the fact that Greed is a pompous, cheesy and dreadful film. … read more
Film Review: Extra Ordinary
If you tend to enjoy BBC comedies and have a fondness for ghost stories, you are likely to have a very pleasant time with Extra Ordinary. … read more
Film Review: All The Bright Places
All The Bright Places is an honest, touching and beautiful film that deserves to be seen, talked about and even celebrated. … read more
Film Review: The Invisible Man
The Invisible Man is too ridiculous to be taken seriously, but with its themes of domestic abuse and even sexual assault, it’s too unpleasant to be any fun. … read more
Film Review: The Last Thing He Wanted
The Last Thing He Wanted is just a speed bump along the road to much better things for everyone involved, and there are better ways to waste your time. … read more
Film Review: Onward
Onward will leave you feeling uplifted and entertained. This outstanding adventure sets a very high bar for the rest of the blockbusters to come in 2020. … read more
Review: I Am Not Okay With This
Netflix’s new series I Am Not Okay With This is aimed as much at those of us who were once teens as it is at actual teens. … read more
Film Review: Downhill
The story of Downhill is provocative and could have made for a a genuinely challenging film, but it winds up leaving audiences out in the cold. … read more
Film Review: The Call of the Wild
While it’s certainly given the Hollywood treatment, Call of the Wild remains more true to the spirit and content of the book than most previous versions. … read more
Film Review: Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog is a harmless and reasonably enjoyable kiddie movie that is neither an ordeal nor a pleasure for adults to sit through. … read more
Film Review: The Gentlemen
Still, The Gentlemen is for fans. It’s full of blood, cursing, bawdy British humor and tongue in cheek testosterone, but it’s certainly not for all tastes. … read more
Film Review: The Song of Names
The Song of Names is gripping, but it’s almost never convincing. Despite some genuinely great elements, it feels wholly manufactured and uninspired. … read more
Film Review: Les Misérables
Les Misérables is a terrific film that deserves to be seen and discussed—it might even help change the way people think about how they treat each other. … read more
Film Review: The Invisible Life of Eurídice Gusmão
The Invisible Life of Eurídice Gusmão is both a tragic melodrama and a fierce statement against the injustices of an oppressively patriarchal society. … read more
Film Review: Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of...
As it stands, Birds of Prey is neither DC’s best or worst film—it’s just another disposable effort that fails to live up to its promises. … read more
Slamdance Film Review: Murmur
Writer-director Heather Young approaches the themes of love, loneliness and dependence from a different angle in her award-winning feature debut, Murmur. … read more
Film Review: Dolittle
Dolittle isn’t going to be winning any awards, but if you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced family movie, you could do a lot worse. … read more
Film Review: Troop Zero
Troop Zero is the kind of film that has no shortage of people making a strong impression behind and in front of the camera. … read more
Film Review: Little Women
Little Women is easily one of the best films of 2019, and it’s a Christmas gift that solidifies its director as one the great cinematic voices of our time. … read more
Film Review: Underwater
Underwater has been sitting on the shelf for a year and a half, and its release feels more like a formality than anything else. … read more
The Top 11 Films of 2019
The year is coming to an end, and that means that it’s time to talk about the best films of 2019, and there were a lot to choose from this year. … read more
Film Review: Cats
Cats is barely even an interesting failure. It’s unlikely to please much of anyone and should probably just be put to sleep. … read more
Film Review: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Go into Rise of Skywalker expecting to have mixed feelings, and you should enjoy it. Or hate it. Or both. There’s no telling with us Star Wars fans anymore. … read more
Film Review: 1917
Sam Mendes directs 1917, one of the “best war films ever made” that follows two young British soldiers through the trenches of the Great War. … read more
Film Review: Richard Jewell
For the most part, Richard Jewell is an example of director Clint Eastwood as a skilled storyteller with a gift for human drama. … read more
Film Review: Jumanji: The Next Level
Jumanji: The Next Level is a movie to go into with reasonable-to-low expectations and to have fun. And fun it is, with plenty of action and steady laughs. … read more
Film Review: The Aeronauts
If anyone out there needs a reminder that the phrase “based on a true story” should be taken with a grain of salt, The Aeronauts is here. … read more
Film Review: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a rare film that left me wanting to be a better person and grateful for everything I’ve learned. … read more
Film Review: Knives Out
Rian Johnson’s latest feature, Knives Out, is easily one of the smartest and most entertaining films of the holiday season. … read more
Film Review: The Irishman
Academy Award–winning director Martin Scorsese (The Departed, Goodfellas, Raging Bull) tackles the story of what happened to Jimmy Hoffa with The Irishman. … read more