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At first glance, it might appear that Irresistible is going to be just another political comedy generated by progressive-leaning filmmakers to salve the still-stinging wounds left by the 2016 election. However, for those expecting a hatchet-jo...

It's rare that a story set within the confines of a mental ward/hospital/asylum cannot be said to owe a debt to Milos Forman's One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. It's Kind of a Funny Story is a case in point. Even though the basic narrative bears l...

Jane Eyre is like Hamlet: a version arrives every few years without regard to whether a new adaptation is wanted or needed. It's not only a classic, but a staple as well, and many serious directors are itching to put their imprint upon it. The 2011...

Like David Lynch, Miranda July populates her films with quirky characters and her narratives peel back the veneer of normalcy to show what’s underneath. That’s where the similarities end, however. While Lynch gravitates toward darkness and...

The kids may be all right, but the adults aren't. That's the underlying premise of Lisa Cholodenko's unconventional family drama - a motion picture that uses wry humor and uncommon sensitivity to underscore some of the difficulties inherent in any...

The pen may be mightier than the sword but, as related in Michael Cuesta's Kill the Messenger, whispered innuendo is more deadly than both. Imagine, if you will, All the President's Men with Robert Redford's Bob Woodward brought down by attacks on ...

It has often perplexed me why there have been relatively few fantasy adventure animated films. With their mix of monsters, magic, and heroism, they would seem to be an ideal fit to captivate the imaginations of children and adults alike. Putting asid...

For most of Land, Robin Wright is the only human onscreen, but it would be unfair to say she’s alone. In fact, there are times when the grandeur of the scenery – the Rockies in all their untamed glory – threatens to overwhelm not only th...

Last Breath has epic potential but opts instead to present its gritty survival story with as little fat as possible – so little, in fact, that it cuts too close to the bone at times. Based on a true story, it tracks its documentary source materi...

Last Night in Soho has a great hook and starts out looking like it’s going to do something compelling with that hook. Unfortunately, as is too often the case with promising horror films, this one devolves into a disappointing mess toward the...