Monthly Archives: July 2021

We can tell the minute the “old friend” shows up, back in the remote corner of West Virginia where he grew up, that he’s trouble for Cole. Terry (Cosmo Jarvis) talks too loud and too freely and knows way too … Continue reading →

The teaser trailer doesn’t tell us much — generations of women, Penelope Cruz of course, babies, life… But how much does it need to tell other than it’s Almodovar? “Madres Paralelas” is about to premiere at the Venice FFest. Sony … Continue reading →

The sci-fi fantasy that’s a meditation on age that finishes with a juvenile “let’s try and EXPLAIN this” finale managed $16.5 million. Pop the (cheap) champagne at Universal. Paramount didn’t hide their piece of crap “Snake Eyes” from all critics, … Continue reading →

A rich eccentric finances an artiste’s latest movie “blockbuster” sounds silly enough. But that cast!

A few things hamstring the “Affair to Remember-ish” romance “The Last Letter from Your Lover,” a Netflix film adapted from the Jojo Moyes novel. One is casting. Shailene Woodley and Felicity Jones are marvelous, as one would expect, with Woodley … Continue reading →

A resurging pandemic in parts of the country, and very weak new releases are adding up to a blase weekend for the movie box office. Well, that and the “streaming/theatrical” model that so many films are opening under these days. … Continue reading →

A not-exactly-torrid, not particularly romantic “torrid romance,” “Curiosa” takes us back to 19th century Paris, when the camera and indoor plumbing were new, and sexual mores seemed in a mad rush to catch up. This French melodrama, loosely based on … Continue reading →

“The Unknown Saint” is an understated, chuckle-out-loud caper comedy from Morocco. It works the deadpan side of the street, spare in its dialogue, leaning on sight gags and situational ironies. What you get is an intimate parody of a parable, … Continue reading →

“Snake Eyes” is quintessentially that deflating moment when a bad guy or gal — or a good guy etc. — hisses “This isn’t over.” And your heart sinks because of how dismayingly dull the movie’s been up to that point, … Continue reading →

Aug. 20 this thriller rolls out. Looks messy and maybe…fun? Reviews are embargoed until 7pm Aug. 19. Make what you will of that.