Review: “Respect”

The Queen of Soul deserves the best—and the best is not “Respect,” a by-the-numbers biopic that focuses on Aretha Franklin’s life from 1952 to 1972. Despite having the right talent both behind and in front of the camera, “Respect” frequently feels like sanitized studio fare, touching on some of Franklin’s personal traumas—from her drinking to […]

Review: “Harriet”

4 out of 5 stars. Harriet Tubman is one of the most influential figures in American history, so it’s kind of wild that there had never been a feature film biopic made about her until now. But the simply titled “Harriet,” directed by Kasi Lemmons, is a fitting if formulaic ode to a great American […]

Review: “Judy”

3 out of 5 stars. Some films feel like they were really only made to showcase their stars, and “Judy” is no exception. The biopic directed by Rupert Goold and based on the stage play “End of the Rainbow” focuses on the final months of singer and actress Judy Garland’s life, and while its depiction […]

Review: “Rocketman”

3.5 out of 5 stars. Biographical movies always play fast and loose with the facts, often shaping and twisting them to fashion a more cinematic story. “Rocketman,” which tells the story of the life and career of musician Elton John, is no exception. But “Rocketman,” directed by Dexter Fletcher (who, incidentally, took over directing duties […]

Review: “Tolkien”

2.5 out of 5 stars. J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the most renowned writers of all time. His “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, published in the mid-1950s, set the standard for modern fantasy, and continue to be beloved by fans to this day. It took an incredible amount of imagination to write […]

Review: “On the Basis of Sex”

3 out of 5 stars. At the age of 85, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is more of an influence and an inspiration than ever. Her advocation for gender equality and her intense debates in court have turned her into an icon, especially for young people. But “On the Basis of Sex,” a new biopic from […]

Review: “Bohemian Rhapsody”

3 out of 5 stars. You don’t need to know much about the band Queen to know that their music defied convention; one listen to “Bohemian Rhapsody” will tell you that. It’s curious and rather disappointing then that the biopic of the band and its lead singer, Freddie Mercury, is the definition of conventional. It’s […]

Review: “Colette”

3.5 out of 5 stars. “Colette” looks like a traditional period piece. It boasts lush costumes and production design, a gorgeous score, and an array of talented actors. But while it is traditional in appearance, this film is imbued with modern sensibilities throughout, flipping expectations at every turn as it tells the true story of […]

Review: “The Greatest Showman”

2 out of 5 stars. With stars like Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, and Zac Efron, a screenplay by Bill Condon and Jenny Bicks, and music by Oscar and Tony winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, it’s hard to see how a movie musical like “The Greatest Showman,” based on the life and career of P.T. […]

Review: “Hidden Figures”

5 out of 5 stars. There are a lot of stories lurking in the shadows of history, just waiting for someone to come along and tell them. We all know about the Space Race, and astronaut John Glenn, who was the first American to circle the Earth. But the film “Hidden Figures” tells a side […]