News of the World
No Comments
(3.5 Stars) Many good things here, but, in the end, not real memorable.
Michael Young
One Night in Miami
No Comments
(4 Stars) A captivating evening with four icons of history.
Tenet
1 Comment
(3.5 Stars) A sensory delight, but if you want to follow the plot, bring a notepad.
Another Round
No Comments
(4 Stars) A film that walks a fine line between drama and messaging. And a terrific Mikkelson performance.
Sound of Metal
No Comments
(4 Stars) An important film that explores the world of sound.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
No Comments
(3 Stars) Powerful Performances from Boseman and Davis, but it is still a play.
Judas and the Black Messiah
No Comments
A powerful drama with terrific acting from Kaluuya, but needs some work on the story. (4 Stars)
Trial of the Chicago 7
2 Comments
(4 Stars) A good telling of an important moment in history that is relevant today.
Soul
1 Comment
(4.5 Stars) Interesting and Creative approach to some very abstract questions. Excellent film.
2021 Oscar Predictions
No Comments
The day before the Oscars, here are my predictions. We will see…
2021 Documentaries
1 Comment
An Overview and comparison of this year’s documentary feature nominees. (And a prediction of who will win!)
Time
No Comments
(3.5 Stars) A somewhat troubling film about the unjust impact of long sentences on Black families.
Collective
No Comments
(4 Stars) An important story about government and corporate corruption and the role of the press in exposing it.
My Octopus Teacher
No Comments
(4.5 Stars) A startling and innovative approach to learning about animals. May make you cry!
Promising Young Woman
1 Comment
(4.5 Stars) A terrific thriller that is also a romantic comedy and a social commentary. Fun in many ways, but with an important message.
Crip Camp
No Comments
(4 Stars) A remarkable film documenting how a summer camp experience turned into a national political movement. A movie of commitment and hope.
Mulan
No Comments
(2.5 Stars) A disappointing remake when it could and should have been much better.
2021 Oscar Movies: Initial Analysis and Ranking
No Comments
An analysis of audience, critic, and Academy ratings and an initial ranking of all 41 of this year’s movies. (Before seeing any of them!)
The 2020 Final Analysis
No Comments
A review of various rankings of all 38 movies from 2020. Read at your peril.
The 2020 Documentary Genre Movies
No Comments
A summary of this year’s documentary features and a comparison to last year’s
American Factory
No Comments
(4 Stars) Well told story of the culture clash when a Chinese business tries to run an American factory.
Edge of Democracy
No Comments
(4.5 Stars) A personal and insightful look into the fragile democracy of Brazil with lessons for the US.
For Sama
No Comments
(5 Stars) A powerful and personal journal of five years in Aleppo. Best Syrian-war documentary yet.
The 2020 Drama Genre Movies
No Comments
A list of 34 movies with general recommendations and a discussion of ‘drama’!
The 2020 Thriller Genre Movies
No Comments
Parasite (5 Stars) Joker (4.5 Stars) Knives Out (4 Stars) Ad Astra (3.5 Stars) Les Miserables (3 Stars) IMDB Benchmarks (Dark Knight/Psycho) The main characteristic
The 2020 Comedy Genre Movies
No Comments
Toy Story 4 (5 Stars) Parasite (5 Stars) Marriage Story (4.5 Stars) Two Popes (4 Stars) Knives Out (4 Stars) Klaus (3.5 Stars) Once Upon