Is “Frozen II” Really Necessary?
DECEMBER 31, 2019 If ever there was a film that did not need a sequel, it was “Frozen.” The unexpected 2013 box-office phenomenon had a beautifully self-contained story to…
Film Review
Reviews of big budget Hollywood films
“Just Mercy” May Be a Bit Too On-the-Nose in Its Script, But a Terrific Cast Helps To Save It
DECEMBER 30, 2019 For better or for worse, they just don’t make films like “Just Mercy” anymore. The defense-attorney-as-conquering-hero genre probably peaked with 1962’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” which…
“Cats” — WTF?
DECEMBER 30, 2019 We’re not disputing the fact that “Cats” is a film atrocity. That’s a given. But let’s just take a moment to look back, though, as to…
“The Rise of Skywalker” Ends the Historic Nine-Film “Star Wars” Series on a Disappointing Note
DECEMBER 27, 2019 It’s finally over. The nine-film “Star Wars” saga, probably the most remarkable series in film history, has come to a final conclusion with “The Rise of…
Does Sam Mendes’ Single-Shot Approach Help or Hurt “1917”?
DECEMBER 26, 2019 Sam Mendes’ “1917” is a strange case. The film, which is currently playing in New York & Los Angeles and will be released across the country…
Adam Sandler Gives a Powerful Performance in the Safdie Brothers’ Relentless “Uncut Gems”
DECEMBER 25, 2019 With the Christmas season coming to a close, I’ve tried to keep to the spirit of the season by reviewing lovely films about popes, little women…
Greta Gerwig’s Refreshing New Take on “Little Women”
DECEMBER 24, 2019 Among the many terrific things (and there are many) about writer/director Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of the beloved Louisa May Alcott novel “Little Women” is that, although…
“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” May Not Be Quite the Film You’re Expecting To See
DECEMBER 22, 2019 With a title like “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” and a top-billed Tom Hanks, you think you know what you’re getting into when you head…
The Heroism of Richard Jewell the Man Is Sadly Being Smothered Over the Debate About “Richard Jewell” the Film
DECEMBER 19, 2019 At the end of every movie year, Clint Eastwood seems to sweep in at the last minute with some under-the-radar film to try his hand at…
Charlize Theron Leads a Sterling Cast in the Emotionally Effective “Bombshell”
DECEMBER 17, 2019 When I first heard that a film was planned depicting the 2016 ouster of Fox News founder Roger Ailes on charges of sexual harassment, all kinds…
