Growing up, her friends knew her simply as Katie Griggs. A gregarious All-American, she was destined to become the leader of something.
Read More‘Classified’ | Aaron Eckhart as Action Hero
Eckhart has been a dependable journeyman for more than twenty years already. Here he is tasked with leading- hero status.
Read More‘My Name is Alfred Hitchcock’ | Treat for Fans
The doc assumes you already have at least some familiarity with the Hitchcock catalog, and it is most enjoyable for fans who are ready to get granular
Read More‘The Last of the Sea Women | Goes Deep
Women in their 60s, 70s, plunge off a Korean island of. It is punishing, hard work, and even dangerous, but they love it.
Read More‘The Apprentice’ | Not Shtick, Not Comedy
This ain’t no SNL skit, it’s an engrossing character study of Trump.
Read More‘The Wait’ | Classy Thriller 3 out of 4 Stars
The Wait is really more like a terrific episode of Twilight Zone in an unusual location.
Read More‘The Radleys’ | Biting Humor from the Burbs
There comes a time when teenagers learn something new about their parents. Sometimes it’s gross out-bedroom facts, for instance. And sometimes it’s that their folks are…vampires. The Radleys are a normal, mundane, suburban family in Scotland (I think, but it might be England) who go to work and school each…
Read More‘Monster Summer’ | Mild Tween Thriller
Borrows heavily from Goosebumps to Goonies, but should entertain the YA audiences at whom it’s aimed.
Read More‘Lover of Men’ | Was Abe Lincoln Gay?
Schools definitely didn’t address this question when I was coming up, but Ivy League historians appear with the receipts.
Read More‘Lee’ | Kate Winslet Goes to War
Gives Kate Winslet an extraordinary main character to inhabit. It should do well in arthouse theatres.
Read More‘Wolfs’ | Clooney and Pitt Make it Look Good
There’s not much to it, but damned if the hunks don’t carry the whole thing on their broad shoulders and square jaws.
Read More‘Will & Harper’ | Surprisingly Moving
Seeing the real Ferrell break down and cry is just one of the many surprises on this road trip through America with a 61-year-old in a dress?
Read More‘Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos’
Who would’ve guessed that the key to the already legendary series is within the dysfunctional relationship between the creator and his mother?
Read More‘Merchant Ivory’ | Kings of Costume Dramas
Like Currier and Ives, just the names Ivory-Merchant conjure a specific brand of images.
Read More‘The Other Laurens’ | Two Better Than One?
Intriguing, nevertheless, doesn’t quite stick the landing. But it’s close.
Read More‘Between the Temples’ | Small Film, Big Heart
A big-hearted romance with a mildly eccentric perspective, and a cutely odd disposition
Read More‘Jackpot’ | Only Half-Full
There’s something a little endearing about this slapdash, frenetic chase movie :John Cena and Awkwafina, the co-stars.
Read More‘Skincare’ | 3 out of 4 Stars | Elizabeth Banks
It’s not easy to put this film neatly into a box;, fortunately, the great Elizabeth Banks is a constant and a grounding presence.
Read More‘Cursed Waters: Creature of Lake Okanagan’
First the good news: the deep lake creature known as Ogopogo makes his home (or not) in a stunningly gorgeous lake that I’d never heard of before.
Read More‘Chimp Crazy’ | These People are Bananas
There is no denying that groups of people who have “special” relationships with exotic animals, from chimps to tigers, are their own special breed.
Read More‘Trap’ | 2 ½ out of 4 Stars | Spoiler-Free
He sh*ts the bed about as often as not, but I like the way that M. Night Shyamalan swings for the fences.
Read More‘The Last Front’ | Mixed Period Drama
A mostly worthy art house release that has moments bordering on melodrama, but a game cast rise to the occasion in an otherwise slow-moving period drama.
Read More‘Dance First’ | Beckett Bio with Byrne
Gabriel Byrne’s known strength at underplaying works well for this biopic of literary genius Samuel Beckett, but the screenplay is lacking.
Read MoreThe Beautiful Summer | 3 out of 4 Stars
Lush and sensuous, this period drama will be right at home with art house fans.
Read More‘Girl You Know It’s True’ | 2½ out of 4 Stars
This fictionalized version is still a story that seems impossible yet true. These guys were canceled before we used that word in this context.
Read More‘The Instigators’ | Frenemies Damon & Affleck
I don’t want to make a big thing about it – it’s just an action-comedy, not an Oscar hopeful. But this movie is a good example of what it is.
Read More‘Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes’
The most enjoyable aspect is just listening to her dish. She’s a delicious gossip, even about herself. Heck, mostly about herself.
Read More‘Kneecap’ | Belfast’s Beastie Boys?
It’s counterintuitive to call a film full of sex, drugs, and profanity “delightful,” but here we are. It is.
Read More‘Batman: Caped Crusader’ | Vintage & New Mixed
A reimagining, takes us back to the earliest days of the comic, but with modern twists in the characters.
Read More‘The Last Breath’ Review | Snark Week
Perhaps a low budget reduced the screentime of the shark in this one, but you don’t miss it.
Read More‘Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose’
He must be the most beloved figure who actually isn’t easy to like. At age 81, he is a tragic figure. Is redemption too late?
Read More‘National Anthem’ Film Review
At their best, films can transport us to a place we’ve never been before and introduce us to people we probably would have never met
Read More‘Clear Cut’ | Definition of B-Movie
At less than 90 minutes long, this thriller overstays its welcome, in spite of some cool crossbow shootings and an exploding meth trailer.
Read More‘Widow Clicquot’ Review
gorgeously shot, but may be too quiet for some movie-goers.
Read More‘Dandelion’ | When a Film is Perfectly Chill
Quiet and leisurely paced, though pulsing with a distinct rhythm, Dandelion is a showcase for its star, Kiki Layne.
Read More‘The Outlaws” | It’s Almost a Crime
Alas, this Western suffers from a budget that didn’t allow for better elements
Read More‘Cora Bora’ | Star Vehicle or Hoopty?
Straining as hard as it can to display “Indie Cred,” the film gets good but you’ll have to wait to get there.
Read More‘Quad Gods’ | This Is How They Roll
Everything from gunshots to a popped tire unexpectedly brought them to this place. But don’t count their future out.
Read MoreTiger Stripes | The Horrors of Adolescence
Director Amanda Nell Eu takes us to a village in Malaysia, where the mean girls are just as mean as they are in the U.S.
Read More‘The Mandela Effect Phenomenon’ | Forget It
Forest Gump didn’t say “Life is Like a Box of Chocolates” and Darth Vader didn’t say “Luke, I Am Your Father”
Read More‘Cottontail’ | A Heartfelt Tale of Loss | 4 Stars
A quiet, moving film. Cottontail follows a widower from Tokyo to England to scatter his late wife’s ashes.
Read More‘Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer ‘ Series Review
True Crime is surely the hottest genre in the country at the moment. This profile of the lady who pioneered catching killers is worth a look.
Read More‘Latency’ | Woulda Been a Better TV Episode
A timely concept, this thriller never quite reaches its potential, but it looks quite cool.
Read MoreMurder Company | Kelsey Grammer and Co.
The poster sets your expectations for a moving War movie. Unfortunately, the actual film is dull and never realizes its potential.
Read More‘A Man of Reason’ | Showdown in K-Town
Korean Cinema is just as diverse as Hollywood’s films, including violent action flicks that compare to Tinsel Town’s releases.
Read More‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ | Heat Still On?
It’s clear that nostalgia is going to carry this 4th installment of the franchise. That’s not a bad thing.
Read More‘Daddio’ | Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson’s Intimate Ride
There’s something liberating about a conversation someone you’ll never see again. You can spill your secrets or invent a whole new personal history.
Read More‘Hit Man’ Low Stakes, High Payoff, Good Film
This good-natured romance/action film is what I will now think of when I tell someone about a good movie on Netflix to watch.
Read MoreJohn Woo’s “First Real Film” Newly Restored and Released
It’s been 40 years since famed director John Woo made this cheerfully violent, gleefully bloody film that’s been restored to digital 2K
Read MoreHow to See Lady Gaga’s Chromatica Ball Concert Film
I may not buy her next record, but I’d definitely go to her next concert
Read More‘Jim Henson Idea Man’ | Gentle Genius
If I’m doing the math right, my generation was possibly the first to have Sesame Street as a part of everyday life.
Read More‘Ezra’ | Likeable Dramedy for These Fraught Times
A sweet, good-natured little film
Read More‘Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms’
As the old saying goes, “This is the sort of thing you’ll like, if you like this sort of thing.”
Read MoreMoviePass, MovieCrash | If It Seems too Good to Be True…
MoviePass went from a Wall Street darling to almost literally worthless within 8 years.
Read More‘Stax: Soulsville, U.S.A.’ Review | Groove Was in the Heart
If Motown was slick and unbeatable as a crossover label, Stax Records was greasier and more soulful.
Read More‘You Can’t Run Forever’ Review | A Casual Killer
If it didn’t have a promising start and a gleefully chilly performance by J.K. Simmons, you could simply write it off as a low-budget B movie.
Read More‘Run!’ | A Horror Chase in the Desert
There are seeds at the core of the horror-thriller Run! That, with a few tweaks and a couple of casting changes, would make for a very good movie.
Read More‘Evil Does Not Exist’ | Art House Flick from Genius Director
Hamaguchi’s follow up to Drive My Car, is far less accessible, excruciatingly slow, and rather oblique in its final act.
Read More‘She is Conann’ | Kill Me Now
There are a good many positive reviews of She is Conann. You can see them at this link. Unfortunately, my own experience sitting through this French, gender-reversing take on the story was just too weird, too silly, and even at a modest hour and 47 minutes, too long. Conann, our…
Read More‘Unfrosted’| Seinfeld’s Silly Story Just Ok
Just ask Madonna, there’s
nothing like a feature film to humble someone who is otherwise great at their preferred craft.
‘Monkey Man’ John Wick Meets Bruce Lee
The violence is graphic, gory and absolutely delightful (remember this is only a movie). The story has enough unique elements to stand on its own.
Read MorePeople Are Still Discovering ‘Baby Reindeer’ and Loving It
The most common description I’ve seen of Baby Reindeer is “disturbing.” That’s not wrong, but this thriller with some comedic touches is so much more.
Read MoreThe Greatest Night in Pop| Behind the Scenes of the Biggest Stars Coming Together
Some said it sounded like a Pepsi commercial. Others said is sounded like a Disney tune. And those were some of the artists involved.
Read More‘A Creature Was Stirring’ Review | Wait for It
Stay for the whole thing and you may decide that you‘ve actually just viewed a decent psychological thriller.
Read MoreKevin James: Irregardless | The Comedy Special Drought is Over
Kevin James, basically working clean, crushes the latest streaming stand-up specials by miles. I was getting really tired of preaching instead of joke-telling
Read More‘Sunrise’ Review; What’s at Stake?
He looks like a sad drifter – not a pathetic homeless person but a rambling guy who may or may not have someplace specific to go and something to do that is almost like a mission. That’s Alex Pettyfer in the new horror(ish) flick, “Sunrise.” Taken in by a kindly…
Read More‘Dumb Money’ | Smart Movie
Sometimes movies die a quiet death at the box office for no good reason. Maybe the promotional budget was small or a bigger title opened on the same Friday.
Read More‘Roadkill’ | Middle of the Road Grindhouse
Meant to look like a classic early 80s Grindhouse splatter flick with one twist you can see from 6 exits away and another that’s a genuine surprise.
Read More‘The Mummy Murders’ | Terrible Title, Decent Horror Flick
This smart psychological thriller/horror is not about mummies, it’s about a present-day serial killer and the journalist with whom he shares his secrets.
Read More‘The Best (and the rest) of 2023’
Here are my best films, plus Best Horror, Best Animated, etc.
Read More‘The Holdovers’ | 4 Stars | One of the Year’s Best
Almost 20 years later, Payne delivers the perfect companion piece to Sideways, even though the stories, settings and most of the cast are completely different.
Read More‘The Disappearance of Shere Hite’ | Seventies Icon of Sexuality
She was among the most famous names in the country with as many detractors as fans
Read More‘Do Not Disturb’ | Love Bites, Love Bleeds
The dread is in the air – it’s thick…kinda like the blood will be later on in this B-movie (ish) Horror flick
Read More‘The Killer’ | A Bullseye for Boredom
You think the assassin’s job is boring? Try watching a movie about his days.
Read More‘Screwdriver’ | A Half-Empty Toolbox
Comes out with great, creepy energy, but doesn’t have the juice to go all the way.
Read More‘King Crimson at 50 | Film Celebrates Prog Rock Pioneers’
The Legendary Band King Crimson Hits Big Screen Before Going to On-Demand Soon.
Read More‘The Burial’ | Gentle Courtroom Drama Worth a Look
Contrary to its title, it’s NOT a scary movie. More like a gentle Tuesday night view at home.
Read More‘Why Scorsese’s New Film Isn’t Among His Top 5’
There isn’t a better example of bravura filmmaking than director Martin Scorsese’s new Killers of the Flower Moon. It is almost unrivaled in every facet of the art and surely one of the best of the year. But is it really his best, as some have suggested? “Almost unrivaled” because…
Read MoreRussell Crowe Makes ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ Better Than it Had to Be
The shopworn title makes it sound like just another schlocky horror, but it uses subtle wisecracks and from Russell Crowe to make it worth a watch,.
Read MoreBummer Summer or Sizzlin’ Cinema? Quick Seasonal Wrap
Barbie may live in a pink world, but she was red hot at this summer’s cinemas.
Read MoreMost Popular Female Gaming Characters in the US.
The gaming industry has seen a surge in female gamers over the past few years, and recent statistics reveal 46% of gamers in the US are women.
Read More‘AGED’ | Spooky Flick That Doesn’t Get Old
A sprinkle of predictability and a pinch of déjà vu actually work well for a film like “Aged.”
Read More‘The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster’
Yep, that is the actual title, and it explains itself about as literally as you could possibly do.
Read More‘Joyland’ | Love and Tragedy in Dysfunctional Family
Whether because of, or in spite of, the conservative repression tied to society and religion in those countries– artful films coming out of Iran and Pakistan have been surprisingly multi-dimensional,
Read MoreHow to Watch Every Episode of ‘Columbo’ for Free
I feel like a kid again. Falk lived from 1937 to 2011, but his character might just live on forever. Sometimes the Internet turns up a treat.
Read MoreAdd Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine to the List of Celeb Lines
If the world were divided between Megadeth fans and Metallica fans (which would be silly) then put me down with Mustaine, always.
Read MoreThe Most Disappointing Game Sequels of All Time
Sometimes it’s just a matter of expectations being too high. Here’s the list as compiled by Metacritic.
Read More‘Being Mary Tyler Moore’ | She Turned the World On
there has never been a night on network TV as out-of-this-world as Saturday nights in 1973.
Read More‘Khandahar’with Gerard Butler| No Khan-Do
Gerard Butler, bless his heart, seems to be slipping into that Hollywood purgatory where Nic, Liam and Mickey reside; a place where mediocre movies get sold
Read More‘Influencer’ | Mean Girls at a Whole Other Level
Don’t you love it sometimes when rooting for the villain is almost kind of the honorable thing to do because the presumed hero is not nearly as cool of a person?
Read More‘Love to Love You, Donna Summer’ | Deep Dive with the Queen of Disco
Donna Summer was huge when I was coming up through school. I thought she was sexy and a great performer with a powerful voice, but that was it. Not anymore.
Read More‘How to Create a Sex Scandal’| Intense and Infuriating
Intense, infuriating and somewhat predictable, this gripping docuseries uncovers the evil underneath the Idyllic surface of Mineola, TX.
Read MoreGrateful Dead Meet-Up at the Movies Coming Soon
This 11th Annual Meet-Up takes us to their 1991 concert at Soldier’s Field in Chicago for 3 hours.
Read MoreWhich States are Most Obsessed with Minecraft?
The game is a worldwide phenomenon, but the #1 state in the US may shock you.
Read More‘To Catch a Killer’ Shailene Woodley Miscast in Dull Cop Film
I honestly thought she was still a teenager, Woodley’s youthful appearance and demeanor make her entirely unbelievable as a cop.
Read More‘Air’ | Quality “Hang Time” with Affleck and Damon
somehow manages to makes us lean in and feel as if we have a stake in a sports shoe company. It’s quite a feat (feet?)
Read More15 Video Games You Can Finish in 3 Hours or Less
A week or two ago, I showed you the list of games that take the longest to complete—now we go the opposite the direction.
Read More‘A Little White Lie’ | Eclectic Cast, Delightful Results
A Little White Lie comes out of the gate poised to crash and burn or be a pleasant surprise. It’s nice when it’s the latter.
Read MoreListen to new Pretenders Song from Upcoming Album
Through all the changes over the decades, Hynde and Pretenders remain one of the all-time best bands.
Read More‘The Tutor’ | New Twist on an Old Twist
The set up looks like an easy mystery to solve- not a bad thing. But a twist on a twist in the final third of the film keeps us on our toes to the end.
Read More‘On the Edge’| European Crime Thriller: 3 ½ out of 4 Stars
Takes a lot of tropes of the genre and twists them into a fresh way of storytelling.
Read More‘From Black’ | Good Looking Take on a Low-Budget Horror
Solid production and cast that belie what is surely an ultra-low budget flick, Doesn’t reach the high bar, but keeps the viewer curious, if not exactly rapt.
Read MoreCulture Club with Howard Jones and Berlin Tour Dates|Ticket Info
The thing is, most of these guys still sound pretty good for “legacy” acts. Damn good.
Read More‘TRANSFORMERS: Rise of the Beasts’ Early Robot Details+Trailer
In the Transformers eco-system, the toys came first, so it makes sense to tie ’em all together. The trailer looks pretty cool.
Read MoreGreta Van Fleet Release New Album and Tour Dates
I don’t know, man. I keep going back and forth on these dudes. This new album and tour will be the final proof either way for me.
Read MoreTime on Your Hands? These Video Games Take the Longest.
Hundreds, if not thousands of hours, brah. I’ll be dead by then.
Read MoreTrials to Triumph | A Good Fit for Christian Summer Camps
will play well at church summer camps this season or in Sunday schools. With the right audience, the film is going to be received in a whole different light.
Read More‘100 Foot Wave’ | Dude. Gnarly, Tasty Waves
100 Foot Wave made me give a damn about people who surf giant waves year round. That’s admirable. That’s great filmmaking.
Read MoreAlter Bridge | Sevendust | Mammoth WVH Announce Summer Tour
I’d go just for Wolf Van Halen. Look like they’e hitting a lot of medium markets, not just big cities. Tickets within from their websites.
Read MoreFree Mobile MONOPOLY hits #1 Spot on the Charts.
For years I was the car. Always the car. One day I switched to the iron and never went back. Uncle Mike was the banker – not now!
Read MoreGreen Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong’s New Gibson Guitar Line
remember how dwarfed by his aqua strat Billie Joe was back in the earliest days? This model is a good fit for him, literally and figuratively.
Read More‘Saint X ‘ | Crime Mystery in the Caribbean
Busting out of the chute with great creative force, Saint X is immediately suspenseful and promising before setting down with too soft a landing.
Read More‘The Diplomat’ is a Goodwill Programming Ambassador
The vibe of The Diplomat is kind of an amalgamation of shows I’ve liked: The Crown, Madam Secretary, and West Wing,
Read More