Monthly Archives: May 2024

It’s always a little jarring to run across a Golden Age Western directed by the Austrian dabbler in the dark side, Fritz Lang. The director of “M,” “Ministry of Fear” and “The Blue Gardenia” always seemed “urban,” occasionally “futuristic” and … Continue reading →

“Silent Land” is a brittle and biting parable about Europe and widespread attitudes towards the Third World problems of people “over there,” on the other side of the Mediterranean. Director and co-writer Aga Woszcynska serves up a drama on low … Continue reading →

At one point, before his health issues, Val Kilmer would’ve been the perfect choice to star in a picture like “Waltzing with Brando.” He knew the guy, is a gifted mimic, and has the same air of self-seriousness and disdain … Continue reading →

Action-packed, cloying and, considering the subject matter, kind of stupid, at least we can take comfort in the fact that Jennifer Lopez throws herself into the exoskeleton/AI sci-fi thriller “Atlas.” And not just because she’s the title character. OK, maybe … Continue reading →

Sylvia Hoeks of “The Girl in the Spider’s Web” and “Bladerunner 2049” plays the cult leader who lures “Stranger Things” alum Sink’s character into the darkness. This looks solid, and Bana is experiencing a bit of a career rebound. June … Continue reading →

I am putting on a hat just so I can doff it in tribute to the informed and dedicated curators of the “Classics” that the free streamer Tubi acquires, enterprising film buffs who allow fellow film fans the chance to … Continue reading →

There have been other documentaries about “America’s Band,” The Beach Boys. There have been books aplenty, especially about the mercurial, unstable musical genius of the group, Brian Wilson. And there was “Love & Mercy” that got deep into Brian’s later … Continue reading →

Ronald Reagan’s first biographer expressed exasperation that there “was no ‘there,’ there.” He found Reagan a kind of empty vessel, an actor playing a part. Lionized by the Right and “Mister Gorbachev, tear down this wall,” remembered by the rest … Continue reading →

Horror films have consistently under-performed this year. And more than one “popcorn” blockbuster has gone bust. If it ain’t “Dune,” it isn’t “fresh.” Apparently. That may have a lot to do with why the fifth “Mad Max” movie, “Furiosa:” A … Continue reading →

A couple of killer brawls and a finale that pulls out all the stops doesn’t drag the martial arts actioner “Blind War” out of the dark. It’s an Andy On (“Ride On,” “Blackhat”) star vehicle, sort of a modern riff … Continue reading →