Review: “Black Panther”

5 out of 5 stars. Although several superhero films over the past couple years have done different things to make audiences rethink the genre, it’s easy to be inundated with the sameness of the Hollywood blockbuster. This is especially true of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which found a formula that seems to please audiences and […]

Review: “I, Tonya”

4 out of 5 stars. The 1994 Winter Olympics saw a record number of people tune in to watch the women’s figure skating competition, not for the sport itself, but for the drama surrounding U.S. skaters Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan. It’s something that’s true even of director Craig Gillespie and screenwriter Steven Rogers’ version […]

Review: “Maze Runner: The Death Cure”

1.5 out of 5 stars. Let’s be real, the whole dystopian YA fad began to fade—at least on the feature film front—a couple years ago. So maybe that’s partly why “Maze Runner: The Death Cure” feels like too little too late, especially after having its release date delayed by a year due to an injury […]

10 Best Movies of 2017

Better late than never—with January 2018 fast approaching its conclusion, and with this week’s Oscar nominations placing the spotlight on many great films from last year, here are my picks for the 10 best movies I saw in 2017. Click the links to read my full review of each film. “Phantom Thread”: Paul Thomas Anderson’s […]

Predicting the 2018 Oscar Nominees and Winners

That time is already upon us. With the SAG, Golden Globes, and Critics Choice Awards already behind us, now is the time to look ahead to the Oscars. The 90th Academy Awards will take place on March 4, but the nominees will be announced tomorrow morning. For most of this awards season there really hasn’t […]

Review: “The Commuter”

2.5 out of 5 stars. From the director who gave us Liam Neeson punching people on a plane, we now get Liam Neeson punching people on a train. “The Commuter” marks the fourth collaboration between director Jaume Collet-Serra and Neeson, having worked together before on films like “Run All Night,” “Unknown,” and the aforementioned “Non-Stop.” […]

Review: “The Post”

3.5 out of 5 stars. The year is 2018, not 1971, and most of us get our news from the internet, not from newspapers. Yet Steven Spielberg’s new drama “The Post” is as timely as ever, raising questions about the first amendment, about a woman’s ability to be a leader in a male-dominated industry, about […]

Review: “Paddington 2”

5 out of 5 stars. If you’re looking to learn what makes a great family film, look no further than “Paddington 2.” It’s the rare sequel that is every bit as innovative, clever, heartwarming, and fun as its predecessor, a modern yet faithful adaptation of writer Michael Bond’s creation, and a true delight for all […]

Review: “Phantom Thread”

5 out of 5 stars. Let me preface my review of Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film “Phantom Thread” by saying that my thoughts here will likely be incomplete. That is because “Phantom Thread” is the sort of film that will require multiple viewings to fully grasp, with the prior knowledge of where the story and […]

Review: “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”

3.5 out of 5 stars. It seems like Hollywood runs on brand recognition nowadays. Connecting a movie to an existing franchise, no matter what it is, is view as a necessary ingredient for success. Take “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” a stand alone sequel/reboot of the 1995 adventure film starring Robin Williams. While the film […]