Monthly Archives: April 2020

“Code 8” is a “mutants” movie in everything but name, cast and backing studio. No “Marvel,” no Hugh Jackman and frenemies. Just a lesser known cast in a very familiar scenario, people with “special powers” resented, discriminated against with lots … Continue reading →

“Twin Flower” is a solid if static on-the-road thriller that loses its way when it stops running. It’s a quiet character piece with little dialogue, as writer-director Laura Luchetti (“Hayfever”) throws two mismatched teens together in the half-ruined, half-empty South … Continue reading →

In recent years, the UFO community has relished various military and governmental agencies’ confirmation that they’ve been looking into Unidentified Flying Objects and that they’re taking the subject seriously, even releasing some credible and incredible close encounter footage to demonstrate … Continue reading →

Jose doesn’t look out of place, hanging in “The Bar,” having a drink and playing cards with the boys. The goatee may make him stand out. And the fact that we never see him smile. Not ever. He’s tight with … Continue reading →

Aliens? In LA? Go figure. May.

    A juvenile in jeopardy, impressively dark and gloomy production values and a leading lady who delivers bug-eyed alarm with the best of them give “Dark Light” a fighting chance. It’s a creature feature with a silly but scary … Continue reading →

If only every comedy had the surprise twist that the Czech road picture “Winter Flies” saves for its finale. It’s simple, and simple-minded, and it so upends expectations that it leaves you the way every comedy should — tickled. It’s … Continue reading →

The portrait of the Hasidic community that’s emerged in films paint it as an insular, secretive and virulently patriarchal cult — a combination of the worst theocratic fundamentalism of the Amish, Islam and Mormonism. Documentaries such as “93 Queen” capture … Continue reading →

With its sequel, “Peninsula,” in the can and slated for release whenever the REAL viral invasion lets up (Fall?), I guess I’d best catch up on “Train to Busan,” the movie that inspired it. “Train to Busan” (2016) didn’t reinvent … Continue reading →

    The school monitors treat the morning Meet and Greet with the kids as an insult contest. Unstylish back pack? Just make sure your “parachute” doesn’t open in the middle of class. Asian kid’s late? Don’t they have buses … Continue reading →