Reviews

This British period drama has a wry impudence about it that may draw viewers of a very popular Netflix original series.  Mr. Malcolm’s List is faithful to Suzanne Allain’s opus (which she adapts) under the workmanlike direction of Amma Holly Jones.  It’s loosely based on Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice with some of the machinations […]

Minions: The Rise of Gru reveals a once very family-friendly animated franchise running out of steam. Delayed like many features due to health-related concerns, there still may be enough to delight a range of audiences from the goofy, yellow gibberish spewing sidekicks to a psychedelic swirly color scheme besides a soundtrack including Linda  Ronstadt. Steve […]

A lavish, if mostly underwhelming biopic from the director of Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby. Tom Hanks has that larger-than-life presence as the shady Col. Tom Parker, but the performance may be more distracting than substantial.  Director Baz Luhrmann uses overlapping visuals and split screens as Elvis is pushed by Colonel Tom Parker (Tom […]

This new film from John Michael McDonagh, is a hit-and-miss take on contemporary imperialism dripping with haughty privilege.  The Forgiven is filled with debauchery and unpleasantry with Ralph Fiennes and Jessica Chastain headlining a capable ensemble set in a lavish Moroccan manor.  The proceedings work off of contempt and humanity with provocation for what can […]

The director of Doctor Strange and Sinister works fairly well to enliven a grim story, expanded from the original short one by Joe Hill (son of Stephen King) entitled The Grabber. The Black Phone has the ability to keep the on-looker in its grasp from a 1970s Denver setting, touching on bullying and a mysterious, eponymous […]