Barbie (2024.4, Terrific , Energy )
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So far, at least, this is my favorite picture of the year. Full of sensory and storytelling delight. (5*)
Original Song
Killers of the Flower Moon (2024.1, Exceptional, Murder )
2 Comments
Killers of the Flower Moon is an exceptional and powerful movie about the Osage Native American murders of the 1920s, but it’s just too long! (4*)
Tell It Like a Woman – Seven Strong Shorts (3.5*)
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Tell It Like a Woman is a compendium of seven shorts, all written and directed by women and featuring women as the main characters. It is not a typical “movie” but has important messages. (3.5*)
RRR – Fun-Loving Indian Super-Humans (4*)
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RRR is an over-the-top action movie in the Bollywood tradition. With CGI, action, humor, song, dance, and history, it is just three hours of fun. (4*)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Beautiful but Oddly Unsatisfying (2.5*)
1 Comment
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.
Top Gun: Maverick – Well Structured and a Blast (4*)
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Top Gun: Maverick is this year’s most popular movie. It tells a relatively simple story well, bursting with visual and aural excitement. First of this year’s “popcorn movies” and worth every kernel. (4*)
Everything Everywhere All at Once – Deep and Insane Look at the Multiverse (4.5*)
1 Comment
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*)
Four Good Days
2 Comments
Four Good Days (2*) is a good start, but it doesn’t go far enough in understanding the grief of a parent.
No Time to Die
1 Comment
(3.5*) No Time to Die is exactly what you expect from a Bond film. Sixty years after Dr. No, the franchise has changed, but lives on.
Encanto
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Encanto (3.5*) Good family entertainment, but Disney and Miranda might be showing fatigue!
Belfast
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(3.5 *) Another good take on family. Terrific setup in the first 10 minutes.
King Richard
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(3 *) A fun movie until you understand that it isn’t completely truthful.
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
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(1.5 *) Some good music, but Will Farrell spoils the movie
One Night in Miami
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(4 Stars) A captivating evening with four icons of history.
Judas and the Black Messiah
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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.
Breakthrough
2 Comments
(2 Stars) Be aware of what you are getting yourself into – this isn’t for everyone!
Frozen II
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(2.5 Stars) As to be expected, terrific visuals. But the story is a little weak and the songs aren’t memorable.
Rocketman
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(3.5 Stars) Elton John’s life presented as a musical – great entertainment.
Harriet
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(3 Stars) Good music, camera work, and Erivo’s performance. But stumbles on story-telling.
Toy Story 4
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(5 Stars) Visually stunning movie and a story for anyone who has ever been part of a family. One of this year’s Must-Sees!
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?’
RBG
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(2 Stars) Interesting, and fairly standard documentary, but a bit overly sympathetic to the subject. Everyone has a few flaws.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
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(4.5 Stars) A Coen Brothers film and a collection of six stories, each of which will puzzle and amuse.
A Star Is Born
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(3.5 Stars) In yet another remake, Lady Gaga shows she can act better than Bradley Cooper can sing. Its OK if you’re into sappy romances.
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.