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 […]

Predicting the 2018 Golden Globe Awards

The awards season is once again upon us, and today is the first major awards show of the year with the 75th Golden Globe Awards airing tonight. The Globes aren’t always a great indicator of what films will eventually win the Oscar, but they’re still fun to watch and predict, especially this year. Unlike last […]

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 […]

Review: “Pitch Perfect 3”

2.5 out of 5 stars. “Pitch Perfect” really didn’t need to turn into a trilogy. And chances are, it was probably never meant to be one. The 2012 comedy about an all-girls a capella group was a surprise hit, a super quirky, edgier version of “Glee” that both teens and adults could enjoy. It is, […]

Review: “The Shape of Water”

5 out of 5 stars. If you love movies and don’t love “The Shape of Water,” then I really don’t know what to tell you. Writer (along with Vanessa Taylor) and director Guillermo del Toro’s latest film is the type of gorgeous adult fairy tale he’s known for, imbued with an extra dose of love […]

Review: “Call Me by Your Name”

5 out of 5 stars. “Call Me by Your Name” is set in rural Italy in the summer of 1983. Seventeen-year-old Elio (Timothee Chalamet) lives there with his parents; his mom (Amira Casar) is a translator, and his father (Michael Stuhlbarg) is an archaeology professor. Elio, who spends much of his time reading and writing […]

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: “Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi”

4.5 out of 5 stars. A little ways along into “The Last Jedi,” Luke Skywalker asks Rey if she knows what the Force is. She responds that “it’s a power that Jedi have,” and “it can make things float”—which, to be fair, isn’t too far off from the sort of response most moviegoers would likely […]

Review: “The Disaster Artist”

4 out of 5 stars. I never thought I’d see the day that a movie was made about the making of Tommy Wiseau’s “The Room,” one of the worst and most bizarre movies of all time. I especially never thought that the film about the making of said movie would be so great, but here […]