BLACKHAT is a satisfying addition to the Michael Mann catalog
BLACKHAT seems silly on its face, casting buff himbo Chris Hemsworth as a master hacker. What can I say? Michael Mann makes it work.
Author: Calvin Cleary
LUCY is odd – and oddly satisfying
LUCY shouldn’t work. The hook is silly, the direction is broad, the premise is simple. But Johansson and Besson make a ridiculous ride fun.
What the 2015 Oscar Snubs Say
2014 was a genuinely amazing year for film. Unless you looked at what – and who – got nominated for an Academy Award.
TAKEN 3 is a truly bad movie
Taken 3 is a dense, silly movie that is impossible to pay attention to. A truly abysmal capper to an already-stolid trilogy.
A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES is a sobering dramatic thriller
A Walk Among the Tombstones may look right at home in the glut of old-man-action we’ve seen, but it’s a step above the competition.
HORNS has a killer hook and little else going for it
Horns, adapted from a novel by Joe Hill, has a great hook. It’s a shame that the movie they built on it doesn’t really work.
The Guest Review
The Guest is a chilling thriller that lets Dan Stevens stretch his muscles. Part Captain America, part Terminator, he’s unforgettable.
The Interview Quick Review
The rare comedy that has more sociopolitical importance than it does laughs, The Interview is slight but reasonably charming in the end.
Unbroken Review: Unworthy
Unbroken, Angelina Jolie’s adaptation of the incredible true story of Olympic hero Louis Zamperini, is remarkably boring.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Quick Review
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies finally brings to an end an abysmal modern fantasy trilogy — and to Peter Jackson’s legacy.
Beyond the Lights Quick Review
Beyond the Lights is one of the finest films of the 2010s, a mature romance for adults who miss seeing sparks fly on the silver screen.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1; Review
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 wallows too much to live up to Catching Fire, but still pushes things towards an interesting end.
White Bird in a Blizzard Review
White Bird in a Blizzard is a misfit novel adaption, but Gregg Araki and a phenomenal cast make sure it is one you’ll remember.
‘Last Days in Vietnam’ Review
Last Days in Vietnam is a decent documentary in the tradition of Ken Burns, drily informative but less captivating than its story deserves.
The Two Faces of January Review
The Two Faces of January, Hossein Amini’s adaptation of a lesser-known Patricia Highsmith book, is a winning thriller worth seeking out.