Babylon – A Rare Failure from a Fine Filmmaker (2*)
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Babylon has some great moments, but is ultimately an overstuffed mess.
Original Music Score
The Fabelmans – A Case Study in Creative Success (4*)
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The Fabelmans is a well crafted movie focusing on the roots of Steven Spielberg’s remarkably successful career. Still, it might not be for everyone. (4*)
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.
Everything Everywhere All at Once – Deep and Insane Look at the Multiverse (4.5*)
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Everything Everywhere All at Once is an insane look at one woman’s romp through the multiverse as she learns what is really important about life. (4.5*)
The Banshees of Inisherin – When Friendship Ends (4.5*)
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Set during the Irish Civil War in 1923, in a very small village on an isolated island (Inisherin) off the coast of Ireland, Padraic (Colin Farrell) finds his lifelong friendship is torn when his older best friend, Colm (Brendan Gleeson) suddenly, and without apparent reason, finds him “dull” and no longer wants to be with him. The change alters both men, and the entire village, both emotionally and physically. Martin McDonagh’s carefully written and directed script is executed by an Irish-born cast with seemingly perfect chemistry. A must-see film for any adult interested in how and why relationships, of any kind, change and, sometimes, end. (4.5*) The Banshees of Inisherin
Encanto
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Encanto (3.5*) Good family entertainment, but Disney and Miranda might be showing fatigue!
Parallel Mothers
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Parallel Mothers is a terrific film, right up to the last 20 minutes. (2.5 *)
Don’t Look Up
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(4 Stars) No, Not Best Picture But a Satirical film with a not-so-funny message.
Dune
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(5 Stars) A stunning sensory experience and quite likely the next Star Wars.
The Power of the Dog
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(4.5 Stars) Quite likely the Best Picture of the Year. Let me explain why.
Da 5 Bloods
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(4 Stars) A War-time Adventure that challenges White America at the same time that it doesn’t go far enough!
News of the World
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(3.5 Stars) Many good things here, but, in the end, not real memorable.
Soul
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(4.5 Stars) Interesting and Creative approach to some very abstract questions. Excellent film.
Little Women
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(5 Stars) A wonderful feminist approach that is perfect holiday entertainment. A well crafted movie.
Marriage Story
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(4.5 Stars) A sometimes difficult movie to watch, but with powerful moments. The boundaries between love and hate are thin.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
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(3.5 Stars) I suppose if you are a Star Wars buff, you will be disappointed. But for the rest of us, it is just plain fun.
Joker
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(4.5 Stars) Difficult to watch, especially right now. But perhaps necessary.
Mary Poppins Returns
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(2 Stars) Might be good for families, but most adults are going to ask ‘Who asked her to return?’
If Beale Street Could Talk
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(4.5 Stars) A wonderful romance with terrific music. Another one of the better movies this year.
Isle of Dogs
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(3.5 Stars) With all the trademarks of Wes Anderson, this movie is fun to watch while it puzzles the mind.
BlacKkKlansman
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(5 Stars) One of my favorite movies of the year, a black man joins the KKK. Although it sounds like a comedy, this is a Spike Lee movie full of important messages.
Black Panther
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(4 Stars) A visually and aurally stunning action movie with a tightly constructed plot line that you can actually follow.