Latest Movie Reviews

• Manchester by the Sea

  Manchester by the Sea is an affecting examination of the grieving process, brought to life through strong direction and compelling performances.

  12.16.16 by Sandy Schaefer
• Star Wars: Rogue One

  A well-crafted and thoughtful story drives Rogue One – in a sandbox that provides a perfect blend of modern action and classic Star Wars style.

  12.16.16 (60) by Ben Kendrick
• La La Land

  La La Land makes for Damien Chazelle’s most technically-accomplished love letter to music yet, as well as the filmmaker’s most poignant work.

  12.16.16 (4) by Sandy Schaefer
• Office Christmas Party

  Office Christmas Party is a decent studio comedy, but its entertaining parts do not add up to a cohesive whole.

  12.09.16 (4) by Chris Agar
• Nocturnal Animals

  Nocturnal Animals has style and ambition to spare, yet as a whole Tom Ford’s dark psychological thriller rings hollow.

  11.25.16 (6) by Sandy Schaefer
• Bad Santa 2

  Bad Santa 2 is another late comedy sequel that fails to catch lightning in a bottle again with a poor script and weak characters.

  11.23.16 (3) by Chris Agar
• Moana

  Moana is a funny, heartfelt and richly-crafted hero’s journey adventure that effectively puts a Disney spin on Southern Pacific culture.

  11.23.16 (1) by Sandy Schaefer
• Allied

  Allied is most compelling as a dramatic spy thriller – less so as a sweeping romance that unfolds against the backdrop of WWII.

  11.23.16 by Sandy Schaefer
• Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

  Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk is a well-intentioned misfire that cannot live up to its higher aspirations.

  11.18.16 (3) by Chris Agar
• The Edge of Seventeen

  The Edge of Seventeen captures the spirit of classic John Hughes comedies – at the same time, refining and innovating Hughes’ storytelling approach.

  11.18.16 (3) by Sandy Schaefer
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

  Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a solid Harry Potter series movie but often prioritizes setup over memorable drama or spellbinding action.

  11.18.16 (23) by Ben Kendrick
• Moonlight

  Moonlight is one of the most poignant, poetic and beautiful movies of the year.

  11.18.16 (11) by Sandy Schaefer
• Arrival

  Arrival is a smart tale of alien contact that boasts great visuals and performances, if also more brains than heart.

  11.11.16 (37) by Sandy Schaefer
• Trolls

  Trolls is solid, visually-stunning entertainment for kids with a positive message, but there isn’t much there for adults.

  11.04.16 (2) by Chris Agar
• Doctor Strange

  Doctor Strange manages to expand the Marvel Cinematic Universe while also telling a satisfying story in its own isolated corner.

  11.04.16 (134) by Ben Kendrick
• Hacksaw Ridge

  Hacksaw Ridge is a grisly WWII movie that excels as an action/thriller, but has mixed success in realizing its loftier thematic ambitions.

  11.04.16 (14) by Sandy Schaefer
• Inferno

  Inferno is unlikely to earn the Robert Langdon movie franchise any new fans – and isn’t worth the long wait that it took to get made.

  10.28.16 (4) by Sandy Schaefer
• Keeping Up with the Joneses

  Despite a fun premise, Keeping Up with the Joneses is a mildly entertaining comedy that’s very generic.

  10.21.16 (7) by Chris Agar
• Jack Reacher: Never Go Back

  Jack Reacher: Never Go Back does not offer enough high-octane action or clever mystery to stand out from the glut of so-so crime movies.

  10.21.16 (22) by Ben Kendrick
• Ouija: Origin of Evil

  Thanks to the efforts of its talented cast and crew, Ouija: Origin of Evil is more solid horror film than soulless franchise continuation.

  10.21.16 by Sandy Schaefer
• The Accountant

  The Accountant makes for a solid, yet unremarkable, action flick that can’t live up to its higher aspirations.

  10.14.16 (9) by Chris Agar
• The Girl on the Train

  Despite a strong performance by Emily Blunt, The Girl on the Train is a middling thriller without much to offer.

  10.07.16 (2) by Chris Agar
• The Birth of a Nation

  The Birth of a Nation is a work of passion-fueled filmmaking and messy storytelling that struggles to make the grand statement it aims for.

  10.07.16 (18) by Sandy Schaefer
• Queen of Katwe

  Queen of Katwe is a heavy-handed variation of the Disney inspirational sports drama formula, but a sincere and well-meaning one too.

  09.30.16 (5) by Sandy Schaefer
• Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

  Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children should provide moviegoers with an entertaining and emotional ride as well as nightmarish visuals to savor.

  09.30.16 (5) by Ben Kendrick