Black Panther is a groundbreaking (superhero) movie.
Wakanda will soon have a new leader. This super-advanced African nation has kept its prosperity and technology hidden from the world for years. Will this policy of deception continue? And will power change hands without a fight?
Though laudable in its use of black actors and themes, as a movie it is just fine.
A cast of characters meets in chance encounters to create The Hateful Eight.
A deadly blizzard fast approaches. The only viable shelter begins to fill with strangers, each more intriguing and secretive than the next. Things heat up inside.
The acting is excellent, with two consequences. First, the movie sparkles when the characters size each other up. Second, the (many) scenes of violence can be difficult to watch.
What We Do in the Shadows is a mockumentary about vampires.
Vampires usually live in castles. Not these few, who have decided to room together in Wellington, New Zealand. A film crew has been promised immunity to document the unusual flat, providing insight into the never-before-seen life of modern vampires.
Endless clever jokes and special effects almost make up for a storyline that lacks a compelling crescendo.
Jumanji is great fun, equal parts adventure and humor.
A grab bag of teenagers is stuck in detention. Procrastination and peer pressure lead the group to play an old video game called Jumanji.
This uber-interactive video game may be too much for its players to handle. But learning about their characters' strengths and weaknesses may enlighten the teens about their own.
In This Corner of the World is a poignant story about a young woman living in and around Hiroshima during World War II. It is not a "war movie."
Suzu is a kind soul. She's prone to daydreaming. Or at least, she doesn't seem to focus on the things that everyone else does. Yet seeing the world through her perspective, it becomes clear that beauty can be found in the most unexpected of places.
As in life, sometimes it can be hard to tell what The Best Offer is.
Virgil Oldman is an art auctioneer at the height of his profession. His keen eye sets him apart. So when the man who has seen it all is thrown for a loop, you can't help but get excited about what's to come.
This story is as intricate as any masterpiece worthy of Virgil's attention. Whether it is fanciful or realistic is, some would say, a matter of perspective.
Only God Forgives is a violent drama about retribution.
Julian will avenge his brother Billy, who has been punished for committing a terrible crime. How far Julian must go depends on the whim of his drug-dealer mother, with whom Julian has a disturbing relationship. A ruthless police captain complicates things.
Strange pacing and lighting add to the uneasy atmosphere. Long scenes may be as boring for some as the violence is jarring for others.
It Follows is a slow, building burn that will envelop you. This is a horror movie at its finest.
Jay navigates adolescence in her dilapidated town without much help from family. She's not doing a terrible job. Then something strange happens. Somebody—or something—starts to follow her wherever she goes.
In contrast with many a horror flick, the characters' reactions are believable. The story flow, music, and cinematography are masterful.
Toc Toc is a light-hearted comedy about people stuck in the waiting room.
Nothing is going right today. The therapist is running late. Appointments have been misscheduled. In a room filled with patients, there's little patience to go around. What's one to do?
As the story develops, some expert acting helps us share in the characters' emotional experience. Though there is a message to be taken away from it, this movie is by no means preachy.
Hooligan Sparrow is a sobering film about the labors of human rights activist Ye Hainan in China.
We follow Ye as she seeks justice for six allegedly sexually-abused schoolgirls. Her calls fall on government ears that range from unsympathetic to downright belligerent. Ye's life becomes a war of attrition, at times draining to watch.
Hooligan Sparrow portrays a terrifying reality of governmental power over communities. It also serves as an excellent example of why documenting abuses is important.
The Rachel Divide is positively saturated with information and opinions about Rachel Dolezal, a woman born to white parents who identifies as black.
The movie does three things. First, it's a soundboard for opinions on transracialism and Dolezal's self-identity. Second, it fleshes out Dolezal's eventful past. Third, it offers a glimpse at Dolezal's current mundane, yet strained life.
The presentation of facts and opinions is largely unbiased.
The Castle of Cagliostro is a smart animated adventure.
Master thief Lupin decides to pull the heist to end all heists. Nothing stands in the way but an evil mastermind, an impenetrable booby-trapped castle, and Interpol. Debonair Lupin may have finally met his match—with a damsel in distress found along the way.
Cheeky music and sound effects add to the fun.
Legendary actress Hedy Lamarr lead an unbelievable life, though it was by no means a Hollywood fairy tale.
She was renowned for her striking beauty. But Bombshell reveals Lamarr to have been far more than a show pony. After grueling days working in the slave-driving, early-Hollywood studio system, by night Lamarr made time to do what she really loved: invent.
Bombshell is at once heartbreaking and uplifting.
Icarus tells a wild story about drug doping in competitive sports. It's a movie in two parts.
In the first part, the director quests to see how drug doping would affect his amateur cycling. The second part focuses on the doping mastermind, Grigory Rodchenkov. It's here the film kicks into high gear. Whilst helping the amateur, this head of Russia’s national anti-doping laboratory becomes embroiled in the investigation of Russia's state-sponsored doping program.
The timeline is sometimes difficult to follow. And the movie is a bit long. But these faults don't undercut an otherwise electrifying flick.
Coco warms the heart. It delicately and humorously explores the topics of death and family.
Miguel is stifled by his family’s strict ban on anything to do with music. This is especially hurtful in light of his seemingly genetic predisposition to be musical. On a particular festival of the Day of the Dead (during which relatives are remembered), Miguel decides to follow his favorite musician’s advice and “seize his moment.”
With vivid animations and compelling music, this adventure is a must-see.