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Movies that arrive in theaters with the tagline "based on a true story" often stray far from the historical basis underlying the narrative. As it's said, "Never let the facts get in the way of a good story." Unfortunately, in presenting the tale of...

Warning! Beginning with paragraph #4, there are spoilers. Viewers who like virginal movie experiences should proceed at their own risk. What a marvelous return to form Clint Eastwood has made following the disaster of Blood Work. In fact, one ...

It would be inaccurate to claim that A Million Ways to Die in the West is devoid of humor. It isn't. However, Seth MacFarlane's hit-and-miss spoof of Westerns has far more "misses" than "hits" and the actor-director-writer (Ted) doesn't seem to rea...

If David Lynch and David Mamet can do it, why not Danny Boyle? I'm talking about hard-R directors suddenly producing a film that is suitable for family viewing. Lynch and Mamet both went G several years ago (Lynch with The Straight Story and Mamet wi...

Despite the numerous inevitable similarities, every immigrant’s story is unique. It’s the commonality of experience, however, that allows us to appreciate the memories that form the basis of Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari. Beyond the cultural ...

What should a viewer expect from a movie that has lain in limbo for more than two years while at least three aborted release dates passed it by? Pretty much what Mindhunters delivers. The only outstanding question is why Dimension decided to dump t...

Going into A Minecraft Movie, I was hoping for something that might emulate the cheeky fun of The LEGO Movie or the re-imagined Jumanji. Those at least seemed to be reasonable comps. Alas, Jared Hess’ translation of the popular computer game pro...

The Despicable Me duology, one of the best non-Pixar animated series to reach the silver screen in recent years, was successful with kids and adults for different reasons. Older viewers appreciated its tongue-in-cheek wit and satirical aspects. Child...

The thing I appreciate most about Minions & Monsters is its surprising sophistication. Sure, by the end, the film is doing the kinds of things that will engage kids (Minion-piloted spaceships shooting lasers at giant gelatinous blobs), but it ...

Director Kyle Balda has been with the Minions since their inception. He began working in the art department for Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2, then moved to the (co-)director’s chair for Minions and Despicable Me 3. If nothing else, that assur...