Film

Elio eventually finds its footing Much like its titular character, Pixar’s Elio gradually wins you over. Directed by Adrian Molina and Domee Shi, the film gets off to an awkward start, clumsily executing the all-too-familiar plot points found in these coming-of-age stories. And, while I shouldn’t say this, the kid is less than engaging. Yet, as […]

Anderson’s Scheme on firm footing When the films of Wes Anderson are discussed, his distinct, meticulously rendered, symmetrical stylings are often front of mind. As such, the thematic thread that runs through his work is often overlooked. Invariably, the focal point of his stories concerns a character intent on reinventing himself, either in an effort […]

De Armas in over her head in Ballerina If there was ever a scene-stealing moment, it occurred when Ana de Armas made a brief appearance in the 2021 James Bond adventure, No Time to Die. As Paloma, she claims to be a fresh-faced spy with only minimal training. This proves to be a modest assertion […]

Unflinching Back pushes viewer to the limit The Philippou Brothers’ Bring Her Back is likely to be a divisive film, primarily because it’s so well-made. Like their impressive 2022 debut, Talk to Me, it pulls no punches where its violent content is concerned, yet what makes it resonate is its emotional pull. A bracing examination of […]

Final Mission Impossible stays aloft thanks to cast Throughout Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, Ethan Hunt is reminded that the result of every decision he has made has led him to the dire situation he finds himself in. Sitting through the eighth installment of the franchise, one can’t help but draw the same correlation regarding […]

Ego runs riot in Tomorrow The very definition of a vanity project, Trey Edward Shults’ Hurry Up Tomorrow is a pretentious, misguided-from-the-word-go dive into the psyche of its star Abel Tesfaye, A.K.A. The Weeknd. This extended therapy session is ego messaging of the highest order, a narcissistic, woe-is-me examination of the trials and tribulations that […]

Nonnas a tasty tribute to tradition You’d be well served to have a pot of spaghetti, a pan of lasagna or a tray of cannoli close at hand while watching Stephen Chbosky’s Nonnas, a tribute to Italian food, family and tradition. Likely, what you have won’t be nearly as tasty as what you see on […]

Thunderbolts* strikes home Threats in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have come in all shapes and sizes but none have lacked in grandeur. There have been rogue gods, out of control robots, characters able to alter time and reality, mad sorcerers and eternal beings that wield unimaginable power. The threat in Jake Schreier’s Thunderbolts* is seemingly much […]

Accountant 2 unsure of its purpose or point I’d be hard-pressed to think of a more schizophrenic Hollywood movie than The Accountant 2. This unnecessary sequel to the 2016 Ben Affleck actioner can’t make up its mind what it wants to be. Sloppily directed by Gavin O’Connor, the script by Bill Dubuque is a whiplash-inducing exercise […]

Grand Illusions: Fantastic Worlds on Film is the theme of the 2025 Turner Classic Movies Film Festival.  To be held from April 24-27, 2025, at various venues along Hollywood Boulevard, this annual gathering of film buffs and aficionados features an eclectic roster of 80 films, from anime to westerns.  As always, guests will abound at […]

Subtle Wallis a song of healing I’m sure we’ve all indulged ourselves in the fantasy of what we’d do if we won the lottery. It’s a relatively harmless bit of daydreaming, something to get us through the day. Dream homes are imagined, and satisfaction is felt due to the thought of benevolent acts we’d commit, […]

The Amateur: A spy in nerd’s clothing For the most part, James Hawes’ The Amateur eschews action set pieces, taking a more cerebral approach in this globe-trotting adventure that sees a tech analyst best the James Bond-types again and again. Combining the fish-out-of-water trope with a standard revenge thriller, the result is a film that […]