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*)
Crime
2023 Oscar Crime Films
No Comments
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*)
No Comments
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*)
No Comments
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*)
1 Comment
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
No Comments
(2*) House of Gucci is an overly long mess that fails to establish a consistent tone.
Cruella
No Comments
Cruella (4*) – A delightful diversion with great chemistry between the two Emmas and an interesting story of how movies happen.
Nightmare Alley
No Comments
(4 Stars) A film noire psychological thriller that keeps your interests, darkly.
West Side Story
No Comments
(3.5 *) Technically near perfect, but lacking in the dramatic storytelling.
2021 Oscar Crime Movies
No Comments
A summary of 2021’s Crime Films, and a look back to the best of 2020.
The White Tiger
1 Comment
(3.5 Stars) An Indian tale of ambition and an indictment of Western capitalism.
Better Days
No Comments
(3.5 Stars) An interesting film with some very good dramatic elements. But seems to have some heavy-handed government overlays.
Promising Young Woman
1 Comment
(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
No Comments
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
No Comments
(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
No Comments
(3 Stars) Interesting and well done, but not exactly memorable.
Knives Out
No Comments
(4 Stars) Does everything a mystery should do and then some. Sharp and witty.
Joker
No Comments
(4.5 Stars) Difficult to watch, especially right now. But perhaps necessary.
Shoplifters
No Comments
(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
No Comments
(4 Stars) Perhaps the strangest film on this year’s list, it certainly keeps your attention.
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
No Comments
(4 Stars) This surprising little gem will leave a mark on your heart.
BlacKkKlansman
No Comments
(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.