Reviews
‘Social Reckoning’ is a flawed follow-up to ‘Social Network’
The Social Reckoning (3 stars out of 4) "The Social Reckoning" is a lower-case "g" good movie undercut by two issues: first, it is effectively a sequel to a better film (2010's "The Social Network"). Second, it suffers from its own ideological biases. Written and...
Is ‘Avengers Endgame: Encore’ and Infinity Vision worth your time and money? Kind of.
Maybe you heard, but the blockbuster sensation of 2019 has returned to theaters under the title Avengers Endgame: Encore. There is also a chance that you have heard of the new screening format from Disney, “Infinity Vision”. I got the chance to see the re-release of...
Lurid ‘Primetime’ goes behind the scenes of polarizing 2000s show, ‘To Catch a Predator’
Primetime (3 stars out of 4) Coming on the heels of last year's documentary, "Predators," "Primetime" is the live action, "inspired by true events" story of Chris Hansen and TV's "To Catch a Predator," the mid-2000s NBC program that purported to hunt child predators...
Ayer’s ‘Heart of the Beast’ is better when it shows instead of tells
Heart of the Beast (2 1/2 stars out of 4) It may be best to know going in that "Heart of the Beast" is a dog movie. It isn't essential in order to appreciate director David Ayer's film, but it will account for a transition late in the film that feels awkward--and...
‘Brand New Day’ signals hope for future Marvel outings
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (3 stars out of 4) "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" marks ten years since actor Tom Holland's debut as Marvel's beloved web-slinger, and oddly, the fourth standalone film for the character that features a three-syllable title. And yet, unlike most...
Nolan’s ‘Odyssey’ needs more epic, less mope
The Odyssey (2 1/2 stars out of 4) Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" is a good movie that should have been better. Based on Homer's epic poem of the same name--with some key bits of The Iliad thrown in for good measure--"The Odyssey" delivers in the areas you...
Exhausting ‘Invite’ has a nice ending, at least…
The Invite (2 stars out of 4) Your capacity to get through Olivia Wilde's "The Invite" should be measured by your interest in spending almost two hours watching miserable people argue and/or conduct lengthy graphic discussions of their dysfunctional sex lives. ...
Ranking the Toy Story Films
Maybe you heard, but there is a new Toy Story film in theaters and it's here to make a billion dollars and show that Pixar has still got it. This franchise turned 30 last year and if it was not already clear, Toy Story continues to be one of the more inventive and...
‘Death of Robin Hood’ is a ponderous, violent, and unnecessary deconstruction
The Death of Robin Hood (2 stars out of 4) Anyone who goes to see Michael Sarnoski's "The Death of Robin Hood" should abandon any connection to past movies about the legendary outlaw. If you're expecting something along the lines of Kevin Costner's "Robin Hood: Prince...
‘Disclosure Day’ is a solid addition to Spielberg’s alien portfolio
Disclosure Day (3 stars out of 4) Lots of directors have put aliens on the big screen. But it's something else to capture the wonder of encountering an alien in person. That's where Steven Spielberg stands alone. Films like "ET: The Extra-Terrestrial" and "Close...
Carney’s ‘Power Ballad’ explores the joys and dangers of creative collaboration
Power Ballad (3 stars out of 4) Few directors have captured the joy of music as effectively as John Carney. Specifically, Carney's films--"Once," "Begin Again," and especially 2016's "Sing Street"--capture the joy of making music. So for musicians, people...
‘Mandalorian’ offers more filler than ‘Star Wars’ magic
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2 1/2 stars out of 4) There isn't much wrong with Jon Favreau's "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu," but there isn't enough right to give it an enthusiastic recommendation. To its credit, it feels like more than just an...