Category Archives: Reviews, previews, profiles and movie news

They didn’t have a word for it, not one that had the right measure of cute, quaint and sentimental blended in. So the English invented “twee.” It was made for movies such as “This Beautiful Fantastic,” a quirky-cute English romance … Continue reading →

It could be a $75 million opening weekend for the final Wolverine X-Men movie. Which means, of course, it won’t be the “final” one after all. But in any event, all signs are pointing to a huge, fitting finish to … Continue reading →

It’s packaged as a love triangle romance in time of war. Its director was behind the break-out Julia Roberts thriller “Sleeping with the Enemy,” and the screenwriter adapted “Bridge to Terabithia.” But “The Ottoman Lieutenant,” a drama set in the … Continue reading →

A few words, then, about the Chinese martial arts fantasy “Journey to the West:  The Demons Strike Back.” And since I don’t know the Chinese translation for “batsh– crazy,” I’ll keep this brief. This demented, luridly-colored, effects-driven sequel — What, … Continue reading →

The debacle at the end of the 89th Academy Awards telecast tended to overshadow the obvious — that the show didn’t draw, that the Academy’s (and ABC TV’s) on-and-off experiment with putting TV chat show hosts in charge of the … Continue reading →

Tiny profundities, clever twists and a few giggles are the hallmarks of “Table 19,” a wedding comedy with on-the-nose casting and slight, uneven charms. It started life as an off-center idea from the Duplass Brothers, of “Cyrus,” “Jeff, Who Lives … Continue reading →

A nearly-forgotten pan-cultural romance and its role in an African national success story earns a stately, feel-good treatment in “A United Kingdom,” an historical romance from the director of “Belle.” It’s well cast, and shot on striking locations. But it’s … Continue reading →

It’s easy– far too easy– to dismiss “Before I Fall” as a sad-faced teen “Groundhog Day.” Because for the first 45 minutes, that’s all it is. It’s only later that it gains weight and emotional heft. And it’s worth the … Continue reading →

It’s a real shock to learn of Bill Paxton’s untimely death  due to a post-heart-surgery stroke.  He was just 61, and made a career out of playing drawling smart guys, lovable galoots, heroes and villains. The Fort Worth native got his … Continue reading →

“Moonlight” was the big winner at last night’s Independent Spirit Awards. And for my money, that’s where this splendid film belonged in the accolades arena all along. Indie in origin, indie in casting (save for Naomie Harris), indie in feel. … Continue reading →