Anatomy of a Fall (2024.5, Puzzling , Murder ?)
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An accident? A suicide? Or was it murder? Anatomy of a Fall will keep you oscillating between the possibilities even past the end. (4*)
Crime
Killers of the Flower Moon (2024.1, Exceptional, Murder )
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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*)
2023 Oscar Crime Films
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An overview of the 2023 Oscar-nominated Crime films with recommendations from this year and last!
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*)
Argentina 1985 – Truth, Humor, and the Wicked (3.5*)
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Argentina 1985 is a docudrama telling the story of the world’s first civilian trial of a military dictatorship. It is a courtroom drama lightened with humor and stories of families. A good film, but maybe a bit difficult to absorb. (3.5*)
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.
House of Gucci
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(2*) House of Gucci is an overly long mess that fails to establish a consistent tone.
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.
Nightmare Alley
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(4 Stars) A film noire psychological thriller that keeps your interests, darkly.
West Side Story
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(3.5 *) Technically near perfect, but lacking in the dramatic storytelling.
2021 Oscar Crime Movies
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A summary of 2021’s Crime Films, and a look back to the best of 2020.
The White Tiger
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(3.5 Stars) An Indian tale of ambition and an indictment of Western capitalism.
Better Days
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(3.5 Stars) An interesting film with some very good dramatic elements. But seems to have some heavy-handed government overlays.
Promising Young Woman
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(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.
The 2020 Crime Genre Movies
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The Irishman (4.5 Stars) Joker (4.5 Stars) Knives Out (4 Stars) Les Miserables (3 Stars) Richard Jewell (3 Stars) IMDB Benchmark (The Godfather/12 Angry Men)
Irishman
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(4.5 Stars) In addition to what you expect, it shows that old folks still have huge creative talent. Still one of the best pictures of 2019.
Les Miserables
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(3 Stars) Interesting and well done, but not exactly memorable.
Knives Out
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(4 Stars) Does everything a mystery should do and then some. Sharp and witty.
Joker
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(4.5 Stars) Difficult to watch, especially right now. But perhaps necessary.
Shoplifters
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(3 Stars) Although critics rate this the second best movie of all 37, I found it tough to follow and lacking in empathy. This is one that probably deserves a second viewing.
Border
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(4 Stars) Perhaps the strangest film on this year’s list, it certainly keeps your attention.
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
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(4 Stars) This surprising little gem will leave a mark on your heart.
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.