movie reviews
Movie Review: VHYes
4 stars out of 5In the grand tradition of The Kentucky Fried Movie, SCTV, and Too Many Cooks comes… VHYes. This anthology of 80s pop-culture spoofs is the feature-length debut from director/co-writer Jack Henry Robbins. Two of the executive producers, who also appear in the movie, are Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon, coincidentally the parents […]
Movie Review: The Assistant
3.5 stars out of 5I read the poster and thought “Julia Garner is too old to play a young assistant.” But I was thinking of Jennifer Garner. Was pleasantly surprised to learn that the lead was Julia, who I am very familiar with from Ozark and The Americans. She’s been great in both those series […]
Movie Review: The Rhythm Section
3 stars out of 5 Different town, but second consecutive movie where I was the only one in the theater. I’m starting to get a complex. Or perhaps a multiplex. The Rhythm Section (I keep typing Rhythm Method) is a crummy name for an action flick, but at least the title is explained in the […]
Movie Review: Gretel and Hansel
4 stars out of 5 Do I have to say every time that, full disclosure, Sophia Lillis is my dear friend Karen’s stepdaughter? What if I get it out of the way in the first sentence? OK, fine. Um, this movie is FUCKED UP. I had no idea what to expect. Even my recollections of […]
Movie Review: 2020 Oscar Nominated Live-Action Short Films
A Sister (Belgium) 4.5 stars out of 5 A taut, highly realistic thriller based around a nighttime car ride. I won’t say any more plot-wise as it’s very worth watching and I don’t want to ruin it. Terrific performance by the actress not in the car, Veerle Baetens. This would be my choice for the […]
Movie Review: 2020 Oscar Nominated Animated Short Films
Dcera (Czechia) 3.5 stars out of 5 Daughter/dad story #1, told in an intriguing, dark papier-mâché-esque style. Grown-up daughter reflects back on her relationship with her father back in the day. Impressive, though I had a little trouble following the exact details of this one. Hair Love (USA) 3 stars out of 5 Daughter/dad story […]
Movie Review: Pain and Glory
4 stars out of 5 When I was a college boy, Pedro Almodóvar was a big deal: Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (which I’m pretty sure I didn’t see) and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (which I’m pretty sure I did). And yet I can’t say I’ve really kept up with […]
Movie Review: Uncut Gems
3.5 stars out of 5 I saw Uncut Gems a couple of weeks ago and thought, “What’s all this hubbub about Adam Sandler? He doesn’t deserve an Oscar nomination.” And sure enough, he did not receive one. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a solid performance, just nothing special; Sandler himself has done better work. But […]
Movie Review: Knives Out
2.5 stars out of 5 I texted my buddy to see if he wanted to catch the 7:30 showing of Uncut Gems. He couldn’t, and my visit to the DMV in Jersey City went faster than expected, so I decided to see the 4:30 screening instead, freeing up my evening for a meatball parm sub […]
My Highly Subjective List of the Best Movies of 2019
10) Midsommar A really f’ed-up, somewhat artsy horror flick that really stuck in my mind, thanks to its gorgeous Swedish setting, the unique “creepy traditional festival” conceit, and an excellent lead performance by Florence Pugh. 9) Blinded by the Light It’s corny, it’s cheesily made — and I loved it. Yes, I’m an admitted Springsteenophile, […]
Jack Silbert, curator