3.5 out of 5 stars (Above Average) Zack Snyder’s Justice League is an extended cut of the largely unmemorable DC team-up film from 2017. Split into parts, this version restores director Zack Snyder’s original vision and ends the story in stirring fashion. Zack Snyder’s Justice League is a flawed but surprisingly enjoyable finale that should… Continue Reading
Pixar’s New Fantasy Will Lift Your Soul
4 out of 5 stars (one of the best of the year) Note: I asked a family friend with young children about Soul, and the results varied. The youngest (4) got bored and left while the two older (7 and 10) enjoyed the goofy moments, but were stymied by the human drama and somewhat scared… Continue Reading
Come Play: Tech-Based Horror Has Emotional Punch
Come Play may have the dumbest-sounding horror premise I’ve seen this year: A supernatural creature haunts an unstable family via an iPad (truly the most terrifying creation in existence). However, as with an ever-increasing number of films with dumb-sounding conceits, Come Play makes the most out of its premise and provides a creepy creature flick… Continue Reading
Avengers: Endgame: Superhero Epic A Marvelous Conclusion
5 out of 5 stars (One of the best in its genre) This review is as spoiler-free as possible. A spoiler-filled review is coming soon. After months of speculation, cryptic trailers, and even a few online leaks, Avengers: EndGame has arrived. The swan song of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers: EndGame will undoubtedly dry the eyes… Continue Reading
Us: Jordan Peele’s Bizarre Horror Story is Unique, Terrifying
5 out of 5 stars (Classic) Jordan Peele’s Us is the first standout horror film of 2019. The follow-up to his 2017 debut Get Out, Peele comes into his own here as a director, with hypnotizing camerawork and a white-knuckle script that sees star Lupita Nyong’o (Black Panther) deliver her best performance to date. Us… Continue Reading
A Simple Favor: Darkly Comedic Thriller Has Energetic Performances, Great Twists
3.5 out of 5 stars (Above Average) A Simple Favor may well be the most ambitious and outrageous film so far this year. Director Paul Feig (Spy, The Heat) has outdone himself here, crafting a darkly comedic and endlessly twisty thriller with wonderful performances from Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, the latter of which has… Continue Reading