Kenneth Lonergan’s “Manchester by the Sea” — One of the Year’s Very Best
DECEMBER 23, 2016 Every morning, Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) wakes up in his subterranean flat in Quincy, MA to spend his day shoveling sidewalks & scrubbing toilets in his…
Month: December 2016
Denzel Will Earn Your Applause, and Viola Will Break Your Heart in August Wilson’s “Fences”
DECEMBER 20, 2016 Denzel Washington faced a very big decision when he agreed to direct the film version of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Fences.” He could either “open…
As the Worst Movie of 2016, Please Consider the Absolutely Preposterous “Collateral Beauty”
DECEMBER 19, 2016 As the year at the movies was coming to a close, it was becoming increasingly likely that the execrable March release “Batman v Superman: Dawn of…
Two Powerhouse Performances Lead Jeff Nichols’ Profile-in-Courage, “Loving”
DECEMBER 15, 2016 “Loving,” written and directed by Jeff Nichols, is that rare film filled with powerful strengths that does something that films rarely do — it downplays them.…
Looking To Get a Thrill From Your Movie Stars? Skip “Nocturnal Animals”
DECEMBER 13, 2016 It’s just not fair. You’re Tom Ford, one of the most famous fashion designers in the world, with your own fabulously successful clothing line. You’re a…
When All of Its Pieces Come Together, “Moonlight” Packs an Emotional Wallop
DECEMBER 12, 2016 “Moonlight” is the kind of great film that doesn’t announce itself at the door as a Great Film. It sneaks up on you quietly, and just…
“Moana” Proves To Be a Very Different Kind of Disney Princess
DECEMBER 9, 2016 When it comes to winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, Pixar films have pretty much owned the category over the past decade, winning six times…
Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard Evoke Movie-Star Glamour in the World War II Romance “Allied”
DECEMBER 8, 2016 “Allied” opens with a spectacular overhead shot of a sand dune in the Sahara Desert. Suddenly, two legs move into frame, and we watch as a…
“The Eagle Huntress” — It’s Beautiful To Look At, But Where’s the Drama?
DECEMBER 6, 2016 Who would have thought that one of the hottest documentaries of the year would center on a Mongolian teenage girl who wants to break into the…
Hailee Steinfeld Shines in the Unexpectedly Wonderful “The Edge of Seventeen”
DECEMBER 1, 2016 Sometimes you just never know where a good movie is coming from. For months now, I’ve been perusing the “Coming Attractions” wall of posters at my…
