Author Archives: Roger Moore

Mob mugs are the same the world over. Overdressing, standing around, eating Italian food, bickering about it. Even in Israel. “Maktub” is a dark Israeli comedy about sadistic thugs with style, “Master Chef” fans, the foodies Steve and Chuma. They … Continue reading →

“Sicario” was a movie that needed no sequel. It set up a quest, twisted and turned — with shocking moments of violence — until that quest was at an end. Like too few action pictures these days, it gave us … Continue reading →

    I loved the borderlands hitman thriller “Sicario,” and I’m not alone. It has this  meandering but compact narrative, brutal violence meted out by brutish men, the queasy unease it gives you about government sanctioned mayhem and a devilish … Continue reading →

Remember “Goosebumps?” Yeah, Jack Black’s all about the kid-friendly horror genre. Got to start them off somewhere. This time, he’s paired up with Oscar winner Cate Blanchett for a film based on Eric Kripke’s novel, “The House With a Clock … Continue reading →

Good romantic comedies remain Hollywood’s most elusive unicorns, and maybe there’s a reason for that. Maybe it’s a thesis put forth in “Playing It Cool,” a mediocre, gimmicky 2015 romantic comedy that featured a star-studded supporting cast, some cute characters, … Continue reading →

In the glorious early days of Jackie Chan’s career, the only films you saw him in were Hong Kong imports, not really intended for the Western marketplace. But the cognoscenti got their Chan on in these dubbed B-movies, memorable only … Continue reading →

Super cool character actress Judy Greer (“The Descendants”) steps behind the camera for this school murder mystery comedy starring Jennifer Garner, Common, Keanu Reeves, John Cho and newly minted Oscar winner Allison Janney, Katie Holmes and Rob riggle among others. … Continue reading →

It’s a common failing of films adapted from beloved books. The fervent desire to be “faithful” to the work leads to fear that you’ll leave something important out. The resulting film feels truncated, abridged. Time simply runs out. That’s the … Continue reading →

Sometimes, even your most attentive parenting isn’t enough. “Beautiful Boy” is based on David Sheff’s memoir about “losing” his son to addiction, and trying to find him and get him back. As the memoir was co-written by that son, the … Continue reading →

“Wild Oats” begins with a funeral. “So brave…”He’s in a better place.” “This is the nicest pot-luck wake I’ve ever been to.” “I’m sorry for your loss. And I just LOVE your house.” Eva (Shirley MacLaine) is burying her husband, … Continue reading →