Category Archives: Reviews, previews, profiles and movie news

“Shoplifters” is an award-winning Japanese drama about a little seen corner of that country’s culture — the working poor. And by “working,” I mean day labor in construction, sex club performer or ironer at a dry cleaners. But as the … Continue reading →

You’ve seen the best moment from “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” the sequel to Disney’s charming, “Wreck it Ralph,” an homage to vintage video games in a post-arcade world. It’s the scene with all the anachronistic but ready-to-be-empowered Disney princesses and … Continue reading →

Now that we’ve scratched Julianne Moore off that short list of “Best Actresses never to win an Oscar” (Glenn Close, Margo — are you next?) she can get back to the business of making terrific indie dramedies in between the … Continue reading →

We will know later tonight if “12 Years a Slave” director Steve McQueen has a new hit on his hand with the heist thriller “Widows.” But we do know he’s rolling in rapturous notices for a decent — not great … Continue reading →

Murky to the point of sleep-inducing, “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” is a lot like watching an entire Wizarding World movie through Newt Scamander’s tumbling red forelock. A parade of back stories involving familiar surnames (Lestrange, Dumbledore), endless exposition … Continue reading →

Warners is a bit late showing this in my market, so there are reviews aplenty already out there for this J.K. Rowling sequel. Will I be the one to tip the Johnny Depp “Potterworld” picture into positive or negative territory? … Continue reading →

Motoring the canals of Greater London provides a charming backdrop to “Anchor and Hope,” a generally pedestrian romance about a lesbian couple’s struggles to have a baby. Carlos Marques-Marcet (“10,000 Km”_ has lovely locations and a good cast that you … Continue reading →

Imogen Poots never disappoints. Whatever role she takes, whichever indie film project engages her passion, her signing on the dotted line always makes for a fascinating peek into an gritty world beyond most of our experience. “Mobile Homes” joins “Sweet … Continue reading →

Mark Wahlberg knows better than to do star comedies built around whatever character he’s playing. Buddy comedies are what work for him, mostly ones co-starring Will Ferrell. It takes the right “buddy” to get him wound up, antic and funny. … Continue reading →

It wouldn’t be the holidays without a mildly inappropriate Mark Wahlberg “family” comedy. And this year, there’s no Will Ferrell to cover for him. So Mark has to bring his manic A-game. “Instant Family” is about adoption, so a lot … Continue reading →