Monthly Archives: May 2018

Hitchcock isn’t the only director to show up in his movies — look for this face in Paul Schrader’s “First Reformed”

You’ll see it. Brownie points to the first commenter who IDs where he turns up in his best movie in years. 

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Did you catch the RBG/Ruth Bader Ginsburg cameo in “Deadpool 2”?

Well? Did you? It’s there, in the movie, a glimpse of a U.S. Supreme Court justice, star of “RBG” and played for comic effect. As you’d expect. OK, “cameo” is too specific a characterization. “Sight gag” is more exact. Go … Continue reading

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Movie Review: Defiance, despair and disowned lead to “Disobedience”

“Disobedience” is a finely-acted tenterhooks drama about religion, sexuality, tradition and isolation. It is a movie grounded in a rigid hierarchy and ritual, but with a cruel undercurrent of despair. But it takes flight on a trio of brittle, biting … Continue reading

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Movie Review: “Show Dogs” won’t show up on any resumes

Here I was, all primed to drip contempt all over the first disaster of the summer cinema season, when I made the mistake of staying through the credits of “Show Dogs.” The mostly-fake outtakes from this talking critters kiddie comedy … Continue reading

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Weekend Movies: Decent reviews for “Deadpool,” “Pope Francis” and even “Book Club,” but guess who’ll clean up at the box office?

“Deadpool 2” did $16-18 million business, setting a new record for an R-rated film’s “pre-opening” opening night — Thursday. So maybe a $150 million weekend? That’s deadline.com’s speculation. Hard to guess that off marketing awareness data and Thursday night performance. … Continue reading

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Preview, “Bleeding Steel” promises more of the Jackie Chan we DON’T like

Aged, trigger happy and generic. Sci-fi violence and maybe one vintage Jackie stunt. Where’s the charm, the wit, the warmth? Gone with the wind.

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Netflixable? High school romance is kick-started by “The Kissing Booth”

Shelly and Lee were born in the same hospital at the same time, affluent, dance-crazy California cuties who share so much. No, not that. Shelly who prefers “Elle” (Joey King) lusts for Lee’s hunky, short-tempered jock older brother, Noah (Jacob … Continue reading

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Netflixable? “Darc” is another Westerner seeking his Revenge on the Yakuza

The lurid Japanese underworld of tattooed gangsters is the setting of “Darc,” a culture-clash thriller of the “Black Rain” variety that could be a big — OK, modest — break for Tony Schiena of “Locked Down.” He co-scripted and stars … Continue reading

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Preview, Matt Dillon goes Murderous for Von Trier’s “House that Jack Built”

Every so often, the Madonna of the Movies, Lars Von Trier, screeches for attention and we’re reminded that he’s still a thing, that there’s something still something rotten in the state of Denmark. OK, I oversell. Pardon. This sadistic serial … Continue reading

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Preview, Winona, Keanu meet at a “Destination Wedding” — booze and sick burns ensue

What a clever idea for your no-budget (save for travel and stars) rom-com. Pair up Keanu and Winona and make them not like each other in their patented patois. This is pretty damned funny. Never heard of the studio, but … Continue reading

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