Filters:

Joshua M. Lester’s central character is affable and the movie breezes by, never threatening to overstay its welcome.

Run Time: 1:38
U.S. Release Date: 2022-01-21
MPAA Rating: "PG"
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Director: Sean McNamara
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, William Hurt, Kaya Scodelario, Benjamin Walker, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Bingbing Fan, Pablo Schreiber, Crystal Clarke

Calling a movie a “fairy tale” is not a sufficient reason to abandon things like intelligent plotting and compelling character development.

Run Time: 1:51
U.S. Release Date: 1991-03-22
MPAA Rating: "PG"
Genre: Fantasy/Comedy
Director: Albert Brooks
Cast: Albert Brooks, Meryl Streep, Rip Torn, Lee Grant, Buck Henry

Brooks offers humor that targets the brain rather than the gut. There are some laugh-out-loud moments but the primary tone is “amusing” rather than “hilarious.”

When an old property achieves new life, it’s because of better creative decisions than the ones made by the men and women behind the fifth "Scream".

An unnecessary extra chapter for a story that had already lasted too long.

Leaves no spy cliché unturned while offering little that’s interesting or compelling.

Run Time: 2:03
U.S. Release Date: 2021-12-24
MPAA Rating: "R" (Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Cast: Penelope Cruz, Milena Smit, Rossy De Palma, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Israel Elejalde

Thoroughly conventional by the director’s standards, the central narrative is accessible and offers a wrenching emotional experience.

Run Time: 1:45
U.S. Release Date: 2021-12-25
MPAA Rating: "R" (Violence)
Genre: Drama/Thriller
Director: Joel Coen
Cast: Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Bertie Carvel, Brendan Gleeson, Corey Hawkins, Harry Melling, Kathryn Hunter

A well-made, artistically effective motion picture but its appeal is limited to those who appreciate movies that are driven as much by the aesthetics as the narrative.

Uses tone, location, and a string of expert performances to leave an impression, even if the story itself is unremarkable.

For fans of the series, it’s a betrayal that deserves to be ignored and forgotten as soon as possible.