Category Archives: Reviews, previews, profiles and movie news

There’s evidence of ambition in “The Yellow Birds,” a sober-minded Iraq War drama based on combat vet-author Kevin Powers’ novel. It has a hint of “In the Valley of Elah” in its mysterious death of a soldier and Biblical undertones, … Continue reading →

“Maineland” is an underachieving documentary about over-achieving Chinese exchange students at a remote prep school in Maine. It’s a culture-clash story where cultures don’t truly clash, where “America” doesn’t so much rub off on kids from Chinese megacities relocated to … Continue reading →

Torture porn? Not really my genre. Kind of out-of-step with the “#MetToo” zeitgeist, with the perpetrators too-often having that “InCel” vibe about their attitudes towards women. “Who’s Watching Oliver” is a twisted, darkly comical serial killer/torture porn tale set in … Continue reading →

I recognized a Hemingway and Harris Yulin, but the stars? Tate Ellington, Tara Summers, Victoria Clark. Another Long Island weekend getaway comedy. You know the tropes. Oddly, “Wanderland” did not hit its April 20 release date, according to Box Office … Continue reading →

How much longer is that nasal, New York princess drawled “Yaaaaaaas” going to be funny? Just in terms of cultural currency? It’s an essential comic component of the latest “Bridesmaids/Girl’s Trip” variation, “Ibiza,” now on Netflix. As in, the screenwriter … Continue reading →

Here’s a documentary/personal essay of the “Roger & Me” variety, a cross-country trip collecting interviews about Elvis, his place in the culture, and the America his rise and fall foresaw. Eugene Jarecki directed it, Alec Baldwin and Chuck D are … Continue reading →

It’s a period piece based on a Henry James story, so it’s about an American among the ancient money/nobility of Europe. Pairing Joely Richardson and Vanessa Redgrave usually pays off. The ingenues here include Poppy Delevinge and a Polanski daughter. … Continue reading →

Ewan McGregor seems an odd choice to be the adult overworked and losing the thread of life Christopher Robin, the son of A.A. Milne who needs to get back to Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore when grownup life becomes too … Continue reading →

Nothing dazzling about the Metacritic scores for “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” A 63 is “meh,” and I find it a tad generous.  Of course, Rottentomatoes, where fanboys find legitimacy, is registering a more (meh) robust 71. With “Deadpool 2” … Continue reading →

It’s a common knock on comedies that they “try too hard.” But not comedies set in laid-back, chillin’ and slackin’, South by Southwestin’ Austin, Texas. Not since “Slacker.” Just park your romantic comedy in “The People’s Republic of Austin,” where … Continue reading →