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: “Last Christmas”

2.5 out of 5 stars. “Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, but the very next day, you gave it away.” We all know the words to “Last Christmas,” the iconic holiday favorite by Wham! And that knowledge just adds to the painful predictability of the movie “Last Christmas,” a sort of rom-com directed by […]

Review: “The Lighthouse”

3.5 out of 5 stars. In 1801, the policy was having a two man team of lighthouse keepers was changed after an incident at Smalls Lighthouse in Wales, when one keeper named Thomas died in an accident, leaving the other keeper, also named Thomas, alone to man the lighthouse, resulting in him going a little […]

Review: “Jojo Rabbit”

4.5 out of 5 stars. When Charlie Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator” was released in 1940, Adolf Hitler was at the height of his power. Chaplin’s film, which he wrote, directed, and starred in (playing a duel role that included Adenoid Hynkel, a parody of Hitler), concludes with a passionate speech advocating for humanity. Despite the […]

Streaming Movie Recap: October 2019

We are already a few days into November, but before getting too wrapped up in the onslaught of holiday movies, I wanted to take a minute to review a few films released on streaming services in October: EL CAMINO: A BREAKING BAD MOVIE (NETFLIX) If you were a fan of the series “Breaking Bad,” then […]

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: “Joker”

WARNING: The following review contains a couple spoilers for “Joker”. 1.5 out of 5 stars. Some men just want to watch the world burn. And sometimes, that’s all we need to know. But DC and Warner Brothers’ new film “Joker” is a character study of the iconic Batman villain that attempts to describe the characters’ […]

Review: “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark”

3.5 out of 5 stars. “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” is a horror film produced from a screen story by monster master Guillermo del Toro. But those who aren’t familiar with its history may be surprised to learn that the source material is a beloved book series written for children. The three volumes […]

Review: “Blinded by the Light”

3.5 out of 5 stars. Being a fan of something goes beyond merely enjoying the work of a person, or liking a certain movie, musician, book, TV show, or sports team. It can move you in ways that are indescribable, and have a profound impact on your life. This impact is explored in “Blinded by […]

Review: “The Farewell”

4.5 out of 5 stars. In America, one’s life is one’s own. But in China, one’s life is a part of something bigger. This cultural divide is a major player in “The Farewell,” a comedy/drama written and directed by Lula Wang, based on a story from her own life. It’s a story that’s simultaneously light […]