The Batman – A Cut Above your Typical Super-Hero (4.5*)
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The Batman is one of this year’s best movies. While nominally an action film, it also is thrilling detective story, told at a human level.
Makeup & Hairstyling
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Beautiful but Oddly Unsatisfying (2.5*)
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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever starts with the death of the former Black Panther and moves through nearly three hours of sometimes beautiful, sometimes action packed, scenes but with so many obligations to fulfill that it is ultimately unsatisfying.
The Whale A Sweaty Look at a Man with Big Problems (4*)
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The Whale pulls heartstrings as you navigate a week with a morbidly obese man. The movie explores themes of addiction, relationships, literature, and spirituality with an unexpectedly good performance from Brendan Fraser. (4*)
Elvis – The Price You Pay for Ignoring Your Roots (4.5*)
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Elvis (4.5*) In a dazzling production full of sights and sounds, Baz Luhrmann paints the tragic story of a man who struggled to get back to his cultural roots.
All Quiet on the Western Front – A Gut Punch Focus on War (4*)
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A German production, All Quiet on the Western Front re-adapts the 1928 novel of the same name, adding some distinctive scenes and commentary to the story of a young German man, and his friends, thrust onto the “Western Front” to fight the French in the final months of World War I. Accompanied by some stunning cinematography, dominating sound and music, and visceral visual effects, the film reaches new heights in presenting the horror of war. It also adds another, very important message about how events are felt differently depending on where you stand on the social ladder.
House of Gucci
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(2*) House of Gucci is an overly long mess that fails to establish a consistent tone.
Coming 2 America
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Coming 2 America (1.5*) – Even if you liked the original, this sequel was unnecessary.
Cruella
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Cruella (4*) – A delightful diversion with great chemistry between the two Emmas and an interesting story of how movies happen.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
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(3.5 Stars) Great acting from Chastain, and overwhelming makeup, but kind of a mess of a movie.
Dune
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(5 Stars) A stunning sensory experience and quite likely the next Star Wars.
Emma.
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(4 Stars) Engaging and sumptuous. A superb production from millennials.
Hillbilly Elegy
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(2 Stars) A lot of missed opportunity and we end up being tourists!
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
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(3 Stars) Powerful Performances from Boseman and Davis, but it is still a play.
Judy
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(3.5 Stars) An exceptional performance by Zellweger in an otherwise mediocre movie.
Maleficent: Princess of Evil
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(1.5 Stars) Some fun visual moments do not make up for a plodding story. Pfeiffer occasionally shines, but Jolie’s talent is wasted.
Bombshell
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(3.5 Stars). A pleasant diversion with exceptional actresses, but a less than stellar writer and director.
Joker
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(4.5 Stars) Difficult to watch, especially right now. But perhaps necessary.
Border
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(4 Stars) Perhaps the strangest film on this year’s list, it certainly keeps your attention.
Vice
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(3.5 Stars) Liberals will find humor and lots to support disliking Cheney. Conservatives, well, maybe you should avoid this one.
Mary Queen of Scots
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(2.5 Stars) A visually beautiful period piece, but perhaps a bit more story than the director and writer could handle.