Reviews

Ridley Scott sweeping late 14th Century saga tries to be a poignant parable in finessing large-scale action and melodrama.  The Last Duel is a gritty, though not that provocative period picture utilizing a notable technique from classic Kurosawa in wearying if finally humanistic fashion for a timely feel.  The cast features Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, […]

The actual swan-song for Daniel Craig (Knives Out) in his fifth outing as James Bond tries to be more than a sequel to the previous Spectre in foregoing strident spy adventure for sweeping drama.  The much-delayed, long-awaited No Time To Die (belying its moniker) can suddenly turn from romantic swooning to exhilarating vicious action as […]

This bizarre tale of cars, identity, murder and sex could be a New Age offspring of David Cronenberg’s 1996 film Crash that starred James Spader and Holly Hunter.  Julia Ducournau’s Titane revs up in its first half through injury and trauma as the transgressive auteur appears to be influenced by Claire Dennis and Leos Carax. […]

Taking place from the late 1960s to the early 1970s is this ‘prequel’ to an iconic cable television series from producer and co-writer David Chase.  The Many Saints of Newark connects family and drive to a brutal underworld like its predecessor The Sopranos which ended over a dozen years ago without satisfying closure (for plenty […]

This adaptation of an award-winning Broadway musical has an opportunity through social anxiety with catchy tunes by Benj Pastek and Justin Paul to make an emotionally ‘honest and inspirational’ transition to the silver screen. Regrettably, Dear Evan Hansen does so in a manipulative, misguided way with the casting of Ben Platt (from his 2015 stage […]