Comedy

Elemental (2024.14, Disappointing , Light )

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Elemental is top-notch creative world building on top of a mundane story! (3*)

Nimona (2024.13, Good , Little-Known )

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Nimona may not be the best in animation, but it tells an important message about gender identity. (3.5*)

Poor Things (2024.10, Beautiful , Sex )

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Poor Things, the story of a baby’s mind in an adult woman’s body, is probably the most bizarre movie I’ve ever seen. It is also one of the best. (5*)

The Holdovers (2024.8, Fine , Funny)

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In The Holdovers, three people, rife with their own problems, spend Christmas break, 1970, with each other. It is funny and emotional. And it’s a Christmas Movie. (3.5*)

American Fiction (2024.6, Engaging , Savvy )

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American Fiction is about racial stereotyping cast as a delicious comedy and moving drama. It is also, I think, a story about its own creation. (4*)

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*)

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris – Marked Down (3*)

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Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is, ultimately, a Hallmark Christmas movie with the bonus of wonderful costumes and terrific acting from Lesley Manville. (3*)

2023 Oscar Comedy Films

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An Overview of the 12 2023 Oscar Comedy Films and a look back to 2022.

Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths: Not for Everyone (3.5*)

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Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths is long, complex, statement of a man in multiple transitions. The film will reward viewers who have the time and patience to watch it more than once. (3.5*)

Glass Onion – Packed with Great Humor and Murder (4*)

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Glass Onion is a terrific sequel to Knives Out. Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) still solves the mystery, but a fun-loving cast helmed by Janelle Monae keeps you thinking. (4*)

Turning Red – Spunky but Lost (2.0*)

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Turning Red is about a 13-year old’s experience with adolescence and her family’s reaction. Though with spectacular animation and colors, who is this story really for? (2.5*)

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On – Extra Bold and Odd (4*)

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Marcel the Shell with Shoes On Will hold your interest with an unusual combination of live-action and stop-motion animation, an intriguing main character, and unique perspectives on life, nature, and relationships. (4*)

The Sea Beast – An Epic Moby Dick and Master Political Metaphor (3.5*)

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The Sea Beast has terrific computer animation, a Moby Dick story, a young girl as the leading character, and multiple political and social threads for adults. (3.5*)

Puss in Boots The Last Wish – Bright, Easy, and Frisky (4*)

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Puss in Boots The Last Wish Is a terrific animated feature that will be enjoyed by children of all ages and their elders! It is the story of a legendary cat who faces his ninth life and discovers what is really important. (4*)

Babylon – A Rare Failure from a Fine Filmmaker (2*)

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Babylon has some great moments, but is ultimately an overstuffed mess.

Triangle of Sadness – Insulting, Disgusting and Cheap (1.5*)

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Triangle of Sadness starts as an interesting riff on money and sexual politics, turns into a disgusting display of sophomore humor, and ends as an insult to the audience. How did this become an Oscar nominee? (1.5*)

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