Cruise Goes All-Out in Nostalgic, High-Octane Blockbuster ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’

Cruise Goes All-Out in Nostalgic, High-Octane Blockbuster ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’

By Alex McPherson Tense, nostalgia-heavy, and featuring mind-boggling set pieces with Tom Cruise yet again putting his life on the line for our entertainment, director... Details
Ensemble Shines in Ambitious, Full-Hearted Directorial Debut ‘We Were Dangerous’

Ensemble Shines in Ambitious, Full-Hearted Directorial Debut ‘We Were Dangerous’

By Alex McPherson A sincere and impressively well-acted reminder of the power of community to persevere through adversity, director Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu’s debut feature, “We... Details
Going Around in Circles, Disjointed ‘On Swift Horses’ Is Frustrating Misdirect

Going Around in Circles, Disjointed ‘On Swift Horses’ Is Frustrating Misdirect

By Lynn Venhaus Pretty people and sun-dappled scenery wind up being ineffective in a shallow head-scratcher, “On Swift Horses,” a stagnant 1950s melodrama heavy on... Details
Lovable Cast Boosts Queer Rom-Com ‘The Wedding Banquet’ Remake

Lovable Cast Boosts Queer Rom-Com ‘The Wedding Banquet’ Remake

By Lynn VenhausA modern re-imagining of Ang Lee’s first 1993 breakthrough film, “The Wedding Banquet” is a funny, charming queer family romantic comedy about personal... Details
‘Misericordia’ Is An Entertaining, If Bizarre, Drama of Desire

‘Misericordia’ Is An Entertaining, If Bizarre, Drama of Desire

By Alex McPherson Infused with wry humor and gradually mounting dread, director Alain Guiraudie’s “Misericordia” is a fascinating drama in which repressed urges and human... Details
Intense ‘Warfare’ Powerful Reminder of Brotherhood and Human Cost

Intense ‘Warfare’ Powerful Reminder of Brotherhood and Human Cost

By Lynn Venhaus Accurately described as the most realistic war film ever made, “Warfare” is a harrowing and intense depiction of the Iraq War based... Details
‘Death of a Unicorn’ Is A Horror Satire That’s Not Quite Sharp Enough

‘Death of a Unicorn’ Is A Horror Satire That’s Not Quite Sharp Enough

By Alex McPherson Coasting slightly above mediocrity thanks to delightfully unhinged performances from Will Poulter and Richard E. Grant, director Alex Scharfman’s “Death of a... Details
Soderbergh Delivers a First-Rate Spy Drama in ‘Black Bag’

Soderbergh Delivers a First-Rate Spy Drama in ‘Black Bag’

By Alex McPherson Efficient, well-acted, and sleek as hell, director Steven Soderbergh’s “Black Bag” is pure escapist fun, weaving a tale of messy interpersonal drama... Details
Harrowing and Heroic ‘Last Breath’ Is Earnest True Story Thriller

Harrowing and Heroic ‘Last Breath’ Is Earnest True Story Thriller

By Lynn VenhausTrue-life everyday heroes and a harrowing realistic drama are a winning combination in the earnest ​s​urvival thriller “Last Breath.” Director Alex Parkinson made the... Details
Teller and Taylor-Joy’s Sweet Romance Enlivens Sci-Fi Horror Thriller ‘The Gorge’

Teller and Taylor-Joy’s Sweet Romance Enlivens Sci-Fi Horror Thriller ‘The Gorge’

By Lynn VenhausWith its genre mash-up of science fiction, horror, action-adventure and romance, the most surprising of all is that the romance is the most... Details