Monthly Archives: December 2022

“Women Talking” is a parable about feminine power. Framed as a heated debate in search of a resolution of what women can do about men and their age-old “war on women,” controlling, abusing and silencing them, Sarah Polley’s film is … Continue reading →

A creepy “control freak” thriller built around Anna Kendrick in the title role sounds like Kendrick’s best role in years. This one hits limited release at the end of Dec., opens wide Jan 20.

A fellow named Seuss wrote a character called “Grinch.” Mr. Jones just knew a hit cartoon would be a cinch. But lo and behold, horror hacks “parodied” this wit. Such a pity the filmed “Mean One” turned out to be … Continue reading →

It’s nice to see Hugh Bonneville truly slip the tuxedoed bonds of “Downton Abbey” and take on a real rotter for the change. In the thriller “I Came By,” he may be posh and entitled, if not titled. But there’s … Continue reading →

“Emancipation,” Will Smith’s first film since winning the Oscar for “King Richard,” and the ugly way that night went, is a real take-stock moment. For Will Smith, certainly. But for critics and the audience as well. His entire career, Smith … Continue reading →

Sam Mendes’ “Empire of Light” bathes the viewer in the warm glow of nostalgia even as its reminds us that the Technicolor past had its sharp edges. It’s a tale of memories and emotions, which will have to do, as … Continue reading →

Ernie Hudson, Cheech Marin and Kaitlin Olson star in this plucky sports dramedy. It’s from those PR and marketing geniuses at Focus Features, so who knows if anybody or any critics will see it. Mar. 24.

“Patient” is the operative word in the French thriller “Le Patient,” retitled “The Lost Patient” for North American Netflix release. It takes forever to get going, seems to give away where it’s headed early on, and traffics in modestly tense … Continue reading →

January, on Netflix, the new home to all things Jonah Hill. There’s a laugh or at least a chuckle in this trailer.

Well, this probably seemed like a slam dunk movie pitch. Channel Allison Janney’s not-taking-your-s–t energy into a sort of “Gloria” meets “Hard Rain” thriller. But as the action tropes quickly devolve into cliches and the hard-bitten dialogue lapses into a … Continue reading →